Gibson Bay at Gibson Bay Golf Course

Gibson Bay Golf Course sits on the eastern edge of Richmond, Kentucky, a college town in the Bluegrass region about thirty miles south of Lexington. Dr. Michael Hurdzan designed the course, which opened in the late 1990s as a public facility serving both the local community and visitors to the area. The property occupies rolling terrain typical of central Kentucky, with the routing taking advantage of natural elevation changes and incorporating water features that come into play on several holes.

Hurdzan, known for his environmental sensitivity and strategic design approach, created a layout that balances accessibility for everyday golfers with enough challenge to host regional amateur competitions. The course features a mix of open and tree-lined holes, with fairways that reward thoughtful placement over pure distance. Several holes play along or across water, requiring careful club selection and execution. The greens vary in size and contour, offering different putting challenges throughout the round.

Gibson Bay serves as a municipal-style facility that has become a regular venue for high school and college tournaments in the region, including events involving nearby Eastern Kentucky University. The course provides a straightforward golf experience without extensive resort amenities, focusing on conditioning and playability for a wide range of skill levels. Its location near Interstate 75 makes it accessible to travelers passing through the Bluegrass region.