In 1984 Eileen Le Couteur looked out the window at the acres of beautiful, unused countryside and commented: 'It's a pity we can't play golf out there'. Twenty years on, Nick Le Couteur of Wheatlands is planning celebrations to commemorate ten years of play on their gem of a golf course, which was officially opened by Jersey golfing resident Ian Woosnam in 1994.

'When creating our challenging nine-hole golf course, we remained sympathetic to the natural environment by planting ten thousand trees, which included Bramley Apple and Chestnut. We filled the ponds with brown trout, and around the perimeter we made a ‘Nature Trail’ with red squirrel feeding boxes, and Kestrel and Barn Owl nesting boxes. It’s not just about playing a round of golf, the whole ambience now is of mature natural parkland that is appreciated by golfers and onlookers alike.

'Players of all ages and abilities frequent our course. They love the relaxed, friendly atmosphere, a fact that is apparent by the 40% repeat bookings of our hotel business. Much of our success is due to the welcoming hospitality of our General Manager Carol Allen and her team, golf pro Terry Le Brocq, and the dedicated green-keeping team headed by Dennis Le Breton and Allan Black. Without all of them the whole thing just wouldn’t swing!

‘My parents, without intent, initiated what we have developed today. From their early farming days at Wheatlands in 1946 when my father co-founded the Jersey Young Farmers Club, to my mothers poignant sentiment in 1984. My father unfortunately died in 1979 without seeing the golf course but if he were here today, he would be proud of what we have achieved.

'Little did my mother realise that her chance remark would result in such a successful venture. The project was ten years in the planning stages, and has now completed fourteen years in play – all from that small seed of an idea. Who knows what the next ten years will bring?’