Golf Classics Heritage
Through a continuous line of apprenticeships, Golf Classics can trace their golfing heritage back to some of the earliest Scottish clubmaking families.
Scroll down to view our extensive history.
William Gourlay (1778-1836)
Apprentice to his father, Douglas
Feathery ball maker, Edinburgh
Gourlay Family
Pre-1780 golf connections
Douglas Gourlay
Feathery ball maker, Edinburgh c.1780
William Gourlay Jr. (1813-1844)
Formed partnership with his brother John, trading as J&W Gourlay, feathery ball makers

John Gourlay (1815-1869)
Apprentice to his father, William Gourlay Sr.

Willie Dunn Sr. (1821-1878)
Apprentice to J&W Gourlay
Club and ball maker, Musselburgh, Scotland

Jamie Dunn (1821-1871)
Apprentice to J&W Gourlay
Club and ball maker, Musselburgh, Scotland

Tom Dunn (1849-1902)
Apprentice to his father, Willie Dunn Sr.
Married Isabella, daughter of John Gourlay

Charles Gibson Sr. (1864-1932)
Apprentice to Willie Dunn Sr.
Master clubmaker and professional at Royal North Devon G.C. (1888-1932)
As well as training his four sons, over his long career Charles had a large number of apprentices, many of whom became well known clubmakers in their own right.

Willie Dunn Jr. (1865-1952)
Apprentice to his brother, Tom Dunn
Laid out the course at Shinecock Bay
Won the first unofficial American Open
Professional at Royal North Devon G.C. (1886-88)

The Gibsons
All four sons served their clubmaking apprenticeships with their father, Charles Gibson Sr.
Charles Gibson Jr.
Professional at Oxford G.C.
Bill Gibson
Professional at Sheffield G.C.
Bob Gibson
Professional at Royal Calcutta G.C.
Jack Gibson
Went to the USA and set up clubmaking business
F. ‘Smiler’ Lewis
Apprentice to Charles Gibson Sr.
Went to the USA as a professional.
Was golf instructor to Edward VIII, George VI and American President Woodrow Wilson
Standing back row: Harry Williams, Bill Andrews, George Pennington, Fred Lewis, Bill Gibson
Second Row: Jack Shutt (caddie master), Charles Gibson (professional), Phillip Andrews (steward), Charles Gibson Jr.
Front row: Granville Kelly (assistant steward), Gibson’s dog Ben
George Cann
First apprentice of Charles Gibson Sr.
Set up clubmaking business with J.H. Taylor (five times Open Champion)
They also opened a factory at Astbury Park, New Jersey

Eddie Davies
Last apprentice of Charles Gibson Sr.
Master clubmaker.
Started his apprenticeship in 1928 and continued making long-nosed clubs until his death in 2004.

To view the full apprenticeship ‘family tree’, please click the link below.