I'd also recommend the "feature" proposal.
It is difficult to see on my
phone if your gouge is removed wood, or a dent.
If the wood has truly been gouged out, ie removed, then the feature is probably the best course of action.
If, however, it is a dent ie. crushed wood fibres, then I would first try to soak/steam it out.
Add fresh
water to the dent and let it soak in a bit. Wood fibres are resilient, and sometimes just adding
water can help them spring back into place. Other times you will need to add a wet towel or cloth overtop and carefully apply steam to the dented area only.
I have used the tip of a clothes iron, and when that wasn't available a heated bolt end to help drive the steam into the damaged fibres through the wet cloth.
You must be careful to not damage the surrounding wood and finish with the heat.
It will probably never look perfect after that process, but can be turned into a minor rather than major flaw.
Let us know how it turmeric out either way.
Cheers,
David