Charles Pinckney (Buddy) Darby, III
Since leading the effort to acquire Kiawah Island from the Kuwaitis in 1988, Buddy Darby has held primary responsibility for Kiawah's development activities, overseeing all operations involved in the development of the Island. He is particularly gratified by the fact that under his guidance, "Kiawah has evolved from a languishing regional attraction into one of the world's most renowned golfing destinations," garnering the 1996 ULI Award for Excellence, among other accolades.
Darby also expanded the appeal of Kiawah Island by leading the creation of neighborhood shopping at Freshfields Village, and was responsible for the development of the Doonbeg Golf Club. Located in County Clare, Ireland, the Club features residential cottages, exceptional accommodations (The Lodge at Doonbeg Golf Club), and a Greg Norman-designed links course, which has been internationally recognized as a top-25 golfing destination by industry publications and travel writers alike.
Darby now has his sights set on 2,500 acres on the island of St. Kitts. The project, known as Christophe Harbour, will include a Tom Fazio-designed golf course, a Mandarin Oriental St. Kitts hotel, and a 200 acre marina which will accommodate super yachts in a naturally protected harbor unlike any in the world.
When Kiawah Development Partners (KDP) was formed in 1988, the team was committed to a community in which decisions would be guided by one overarching objective — to create enduring "quality of experience" for every Kiawah Island property owner. The operations team at KDP shares their vision on every level and demonstrates an understanding of what it takes to infuse the community with visible evidence of total commitment to quality.