Charles Hugh Alison

(1882 - 1952)

Born: Preston, Lancashire, England

Died: Johannesburg, South Africa, at age 70

In 1928, Allison, Harry Colt, and John Morrison, formed the design firm of Colt, Alison & Morrison Ltd. They were also known to collaborate with and Alister MacKenzie.

The following excerpts are from The Golden Age of Golf Design by Geoff Shackelford.

"In planning a golf course there are no fixed rules to which is the compulsory to conform, and the variety which results is one of the greatest charms of the game." -C.H. Alison

The often-forgotten member of H.S. Colt's architecture firm, C.H. Alison was a prolific designer for many years, particularly in the Far East where he spent a significant amount of time. A fine player and member of the Oxford and Cambridge Golfing Society, Alison met Colt while Colt constructed a new course at Stoke Poges in London. Alison eventually joined Colt's firm, first working as a construction superintendent and later as his associate.

While working with Colt (and briefly with Alister MacKenzie), Alison was involved with most of Colt's projects, including Sunningdale, Wentworth and redesigns at two members of the current British open rotation, Royal St. George's and Royal Lytham and St. Anne's.

Alison is most noted for his solo work while on an extended Far East swing in the early 1930's, creating such world-renowned courses as Kasumigaseki Golf Club (East), Hirono Golf Club and Kawana Golf Club. He also oversaw work on North American Colt and Alison designs such as Timber Point Golf Club, Knollwood Club, Milwaukee Country Club, Westwood Country Club, Sea Island Golf Club, Century Golf Club and Fresh Meadow Golf Club. Painting of C. H. Alison was done by Margaret Cutter, Bay Village, Ohio. The original painting of C. H. Alison hangs in Westwood Country Club, Rocky River, Ohio. Permission for thumbnail picture provided by artist.