I
have just seen the best place in the world,” Mike Gatting declared over a crackly phone line to his wife, Elaine. The beefy
batsman was in Barbados, and Elaine was at the family home in Enfi eld, North London. It was 1998. The controversial cricketer had just retired from the professional game, “which I only learnt when I saw him give an interview on television a few weeks before”, Elaine smarts. “But when he saw the villa on Royal Westmoreland, he did think of calling me before he bought it.” Mike paid US$500,000 (£323,600)
for their charming two-bed townhouse in the 750-acre golf resort’s Forest Hills enclave, which has spectacular sea views, overlooks the 10th tee and is within walking distance of the club house. The Royal Westmoreland, on Barbados’s glitzy “platinum” west coast, is unquestionably one of the
world’s most fashionable golf resorts, situated among hotels and condo complexes with exotic names such as Glitter Bay and Coral Reef, as well as expensive restaurants and smart shops. Celebrity owners include the
footballer Wayne Rooney, the golfer Ian Woosnam, the former tennis player Virginia Wade, Michelle Lineker (the BBC presenter and former footballer Gary’s ex, who won it in her divorce settlement), and two other former England cricket captains, Michael Vaughan and Andrew Flintoff. Gatting, 55, the former Middlesex
Left and this page: Elaine and Mike Gatting at their holiday home on the Royal Westmoreland in Barbados
player, who captained England between 1986 and 1988 and is now the England and Wales Cricket Board’s managing director of cricket partnerships, had grown to love Barbados during numerous visits he made in his test career. But he only thought of buying there when he found he had time to focus on
his other passion – golf. “I just fell in love with Royal Westmoreland, although we bought the villa as an investment to start,” he says. “We can see the liners pulling into
Bridgetown from our balcony. And can hear the calypso music on board when they sail away. “Property has gone up in value: I
wouldn’t sell for less than $900,000 [£582,800], but rentals have slowed. “We charge from £200 a night [to
rent the villa, visit www.1foresthills. com], which, if divided between four people, is not bad. But if you need the rent to cover your costs, you shouldn’t buy.” The couple’s housekeeper comes in
every day and costs them £12,000 a year. Until recently, this was covered by the rent, but now Mike reckons that his home costs him £35,000 a year, including his golf fees, which is considerable if there is no rent coming in.
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