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Wittelsbacher Ausgleichsfonds

The Wittelsbacher Ausgleichsfonds was established as a public foundation in 1923 within the framework of the apportionment of assets and liabilities between the House of Wittelsbach and the Free State of Bavaria. The revenues of the fund serve to provide maintenance for members of the former royal family which, in return, waivered all legal claims to assets against the Free State of Bavaria. The fund is represented and monitored by a Board of Governors. It consists of six Executive Governors appointed by the House of Wittelsbach. Two State Commissioners appointed by the Bavarian State Government represent the interests of the Free State of Bavaria (www.haus-bayern.com).

Initial situation

The Royal Estate of Rohrenfeld and other estates have been owned by the Wittelsbach family since the year 1487. The owner of the entire area of 370 hectares is now the Wittelsbacher Ausgleichsfonds. The Wittelsbacher Golf Club, founded in 1988, is located on 70 hectares; 300 hectares are currently used for farming.

The compound contains the manor house of the estate and the Grünau hunting lodge, which was built in the year 1555. The idea to host the Ryder Cup Match in Rohrenfeld in the year 2018 originated from the Wittelsbacher Ausgleichsfonds in May 2008. The project was officially announced at a press conference on 28 January 2009.

The existing golf facility – Wittelsbacher Golf Club

The Wittelsbacher Golf Club was founded in 1988, and the 18-hole golf facility was completed in 1989 alongside the clubhouse and practice facilities (length of the course from men's championship tees: over 6,700 metres -7,370 yards - with par 71). The elegant clubhouse has a first-class restaurant with a seating capacity of 180, a lounge with a fireplace, conference rooms, pro shop and changing rooms, as well as 6 rooms for guests in the clubhouse and another 20 rooms in the manor house of the estate. The clubhouse is 800 metres (880 yards) away from the manor house of the estate with its future Ryder Cup Centre (hotel / clubhouse).

The President of the Wittelsbacher Golf Club is His Royal Highness Duke Max in Bavaria, who is also a member of the Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews, Royal St. Georges Golf Club and Pine Valley Golf Club. The owner and operator of the golf facility is the Wittelsbacher Ausgleichsfonds (see above for explanation).

From 1991 to 1998, the Amateur Open Championships of Germany were staged at the club. Winners included the successful male and female tour players Markus Brier (1995), Geoff Ogilvy (1996), Tobias Dier (1998), Martina Koch (1993) and Martina Eberl (1997).

The club lists 650 members and is a member of the "Leading Golf Courses of Germany".