Rory McIlroy bought golf icon's stunning mansion to join 'Bears Club' with Michael Jordan

It might have been a frustrating year on the course for golf superstar Rory McIlroy, but his life remains in good shape off it. The Ryder Cup hero has agonisingly missed out on both the Scottish Open and BMW PGA Championship titles this month, adding to the US Open heartbreak he suffered in Pinehurst in June.

But he remains one of the most marketable sporting figures on the planet, and has the properties to prove it. 

The 35-year-old reportedly owns three mansions and two apartments, but it’s his estate in Jupiter, Florida, which has arguably brought him luxury and prestige in equal measures.

Having reunited with wife Erica Stroll this summer after the pair called off divorce proceedings, it’s not just the nine bedrooms, 10 bathrooms, recording studio, game room, and home cinema that is of benefit to the four-time major champion and his partner. As well as being located close to a series of stunning golf courses, the house is also situated in an area known as ’The Bear’s Club’.

McIlroy paid around £8.2million for the mansion, formerly owned by another major golf champion in Ernie Els, back in 2012. Upon doing so, he gained access to the exclusive club, which opened in 1999 after being proposed by Jack Nicklaus.

The Bear's Club was architecturally designed to fit in with the landscape of the neighbourhood. During his brainstorming, Nicklaus was keen the famous Florida greenery was preserved, with the course renowned for being as challenging as it is enjoyable to play.

The clubhouse however, was reportedly designed by the icon’s wife Barbara. And it’s fair to say that no detail was spared, with the building boasting more than 64,000 square feet of space over two levels. 

Signified by striking artwork and flamboyant decorations, The Bear’s Club also employs chef, Brian Sade, considered one of the best in his field in America. And when McIlroy sits down to dine, more often than not he’ll be joined by elite company.

Michael Jordan is another world famous athlete to also be granted membership, with his own elaborate home nearby. Along with being widely considered the greatest basketball player of all-time, ‘MJ23’ has never made any secret of his love of lavish spending and playing golf, two notions he can undoubtedly embrace with The Bear’s Club.

Fellow golf stars of Justin Thomas, Dustin Johnson, and Patrick Cantlay are also members. Tennis legends Serena and Venus Williams are two more famous faces to both own homes in Jupiter and be elite members.

Annual membership prices range from £15,000 to £22,500, a drop in the ocean to McIlroy and co. And as well as the 18 hole course, the world elite can also ‘earn up’ by enjoying a nine hole Par 3 section.