About
Several golf courses in southwestern England with uncertain origins are believed to be Gibson's work because they exhibit his characteristic design eccentricities.
Charles Gibson was a distinguished golf course architect, primarily active in the late 19th century, with a major influence throughout Devon, Cornwall, Somerset, and South Wales. Born in 1860 in Musselburgh, Gibson became widely regarded as the premier designer in western England during the formative years of golf in the region. His work is characterized by a unique style and notable quirkiness, visible in courses such as Sidmouth, West Cornwall (Lelant), Burnham & Berrow, Royal Porthcawl, Ashburnham, South Devon, Wollacombe, Churston, and Thurlestone. Gibson also played a significant role at Westward Ho! and was often consulted for the region's earliest clubs. As the professional at Westwood Ho!, he was instrumental in expanding the game, providing not only course architecture but also shaping the character of golf in southwest England and Wales. His legacy includes a number of courses whose precise origins remain unclear but are almost certainly influenced by his distinctive approach.
