Pete Dye
Pete Dye, born Paul Dye Jr. on December 29, 1925, in Urbana, Ohio, was a renowned American golf course architect. He was widely considered one of the most influential golf course designers of the 20th century, with a career spanning over five decades. Dye passed away on January 9, 2020, at the age of 94.
Dye's career in golf course architecture began in the late 1950s when he and his wife, Alice, designed and built their first course, the nine-hole El Dorado, now known as Royal Oak Country Club, in Indianapolis. They followed this with the construction of the 18-hole Heather Hills, now Maple Creek Country Club, also in Indianapolis.
In the early 1960s, Dye traveled to Scotland to study the classic links courses, which greatly influenced his design philosophy. He was particularly inspired by the work of legendary golf course architect Alister MacKenzie, who designed the famous Augusta National Golf Club, home of the Masters Tournament.
Dye's breakthrough project came in 1964 when he was commissioned to design Crooked Stick Golf Club in Carmel, Indiana. The course was completed in 1967 and quickly gained recognition for its innovative design and challenging layout. Crooked Stick went on to host several prestigious golf events, including the 1991 PGA Championship, won by John Daly.
In 1969, Dye teamed up with legendary golfer Jack Nicklaus to design Harbour Town Golf Links in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. The course, which opened in 1969, was a departure from the typical American golf course design of the time, featuring narrow fairways, small greens, and strategic bunkering. Harbour Town is now considered one of the finest courses in the United States and has hosted the annual PGA Tour event, the RBC Heritage, since 1969.
Dye's most famous work is arguably the Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. The course, which opened in 1980, is home to the PGA Tour's flagship event, The Players Championship. The Stadium Course is known for its iconic par-3 17th hole, featuring an island green that has become one of the most recognizable holes in golf.
Throughout his career, Dye designed or co-designed over 100 golf courses, many of which are ranked among the best in the world. His innovative designs and unconventional approach to golf course architecture earned him the nickname "The Marquis de Sod." Dye's courses are known for their strategic bunkering, use of railroad ties, and emphasis on shot-making and creativity.
In addition to his work as a golf course architect, Dye was a successful amateur golfer. He won the 1958 Indiana State Amateur Championship and competed in the 1957 U.S. Open, finishing ahead of both Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus.
Dye's contributions to the world of golf were recognized in 2004 when he was awarded the PGA Distinguished Service Award, the highest honor bestowed by the PGA of America. In 2005, he was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in the Lifetime Achievement category.
Pete Dye's legacy as a golf course architect is unparalleled. His innovative designs and creative approach to golf course architecture have left a lasting impact on the game. Many of his courses continue to challenge and inspire golfers of all skill levels, and his influence can be seen in the work of many contemporary golf course architects.
Dye's career in golf course architecture began in the late 1950s when he and his wife, Alice, designed and built their first course, the nine-hole El Dorado, now known as Royal Oak Country Club, in Indianapolis. They followed this with the construction of the 18-hole Heather Hills, now Maple Creek Country Club, also in Indianapolis.
In the early 1960s, Dye traveled to Scotland to study the classic links courses, which greatly influenced his design philosophy. He was particularly inspired by the work of legendary golf course architect Alister MacKenzie, who designed the famous Augusta National Golf Club, home of the Masters Tournament.
Dye's breakthrough project came in 1964 when he was commissioned to design Crooked Stick Golf Club in Carmel, Indiana. The course was completed in 1967 and quickly gained recognition for its innovative design and challenging layout. Crooked Stick went on to host several prestigious golf events, including the 1991 PGA Championship, won by John Daly.
In 1969, Dye teamed up with legendary golfer Jack Nicklaus to design Harbour Town Golf Links in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. The course, which opened in 1969, was a departure from the typical American golf course design of the time, featuring narrow fairways, small greens, and strategic bunkering. Harbour Town is now considered one of the finest courses in the United States and has hosted the annual PGA Tour event, the RBC Heritage, since 1969.
Dye's most famous work is arguably the Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. The course, which opened in 1980, is home to the PGA Tour's flagship event, The Players Championship. The Stadium Course is known for its iconic par-3 17th hole, featuring an island green that has become one of the most recognizable holes in golf.
Throughout his career, Dye designed or co-designed over 100 golf courses, many of which are ranked among the best in the world. His innovative designs and unconventional approach to golf course architecture earned him the nickname "The Marquis de Sod." Dye's courses are known for their strategic bunkering, use of railroad ties, and emphasis on shot-making and creativity.
In addition to his work as a golf course architect, Dye was a successful amateur golfer. He won the 1958 Indiana State Amateur Championship and competed in the 1957 U.S. Open, finishing ahead of both Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus.
Dye's contributions to the world of golf were recognized in 2004 when he was awarded the PGA Distinguished Service Award, the highest honor bestowed by the PGA of America. In 2005, he was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in the Lifetime Achievement category.
Pete Dye's legacy as a golf course architect is unparalleled. His innovative designs and creative approach to golf course architecture have left a lasting impact on the game. Many of his courses continue to challenge and inspire golfers of all skill levels, and his influence can be seen in the work of many contemporary golf course architects.
List of Pete Dye Designs
Ancala CC, Scottsdale Arizona
Red Mountain Ranch CC, (Championship Course) Mesa Arizona
Carmel Valley Ranch GR, Carmel Valley Ranch California
La Quinta Resort and Club (Dunes Course, Mountain Course), La Quinta California
Lost Canyons Golf Club (Shadow Course, Sky Course), Simi Valley California
Mission Hills CC Pete Dye Course, Rancho Mirage California
PGA West (Stadium Course), La Quinta California
The Citrus GC, La Quinta California
The Hideaway GC Pete Dye Course, La Quinta California
The Westin Mission Hills Resort & Spa (South Course), Rancho Mirage California
Trump National GC - Los Angeles Rancho Palos Verdes California
Copper Creek GC, Copper Mountain Colorado
Glenmoor CC, Cherry Hills Village Colorado
Gypsum Creek GC, Gypsum Colorado
Plum Creek GC, Castle Rock Colorado
Riverdale Dunes, Brighton Colorado
The CC of Colorado, Colorado Springs Colorado
TPC River Highlands, Cromwell Connecticut
Wintonbury Hills GC, Bloomfield Connecticut
Amelia Island Plantation (Ocean Links), Amelia Island Florida
Delray Dunes G&CC, Boynton Beach Florida
Gasparilla Inn GC, Boca Grande Florida
Gulf Stream GC, Gulf Stream Florida
Harbor Course Grand Harbor, Vero Beach Florida
Harbour Ridge Yacht & CC (River Ridge Course), Palm City Florida
John's Island Club (North Course), Vero Beach Florida
John's Island Club (South Course), Vero Beach Florida
Medalist Golf Club, Jupiter Florida
Old Marsh GC, Palm Beach Gardens Florida
Palm Beach Polo (The Cypress Course), Wellington Florida
PGA Golf Club at the Reserve (Pete Dye Course), Port Saint Lucie Florida
River Ridge GC (Harbour Ridge), Palm City Florida
Southern Hills Plantation Club, Brooksville Florida
St. Andrews Club, Delray Beach Florida
Talis Park GC, Naples Florida
The Dye Preserve GC, Jupiter Florida
The Moorings Club of Vero Beach, Vero Beach Florida
TPC at Sawgrass (Dye Valley Course), Ponte Vedra Beach Florida
TPC at Sawgrass (Stadium Course), Ponte Vedra Beach Florida
West Bay Club, Estero Florida
Atlanta National Golf Club, Alpharetta Georgia
Ogeechee Golf Club, at the Ford Plantation Richmond Hill Georgia
Oakwood CC, Coal Valley Illinois
Ruffled Feathers Golf Club, Lemont Illinois
Tamarack CC, Shiloh Illinois
Yorktown GC, Belleville Illinois
Crooked Stick GC, Carmel Indiana
Dye's Walk CC, Greenwood Indiana
Eagle Creek GC at Eagle Creek Park (Pines and Sycamore Courses), Indianapolis Indiana
Forest Park GC, Brazil Indiana
Greenbelt GC, Columbus Indiana
Harbour Trees GC, Noblesville Indiana
Indianapolis Motor Speedway Brickyard Crossing GC, Speedway Indiana
Maple Creek G&CC, Indianapolis Indiana
Birck Boilermaker Golf Complex at Purdue University (Ackerman-Allen Course, Kampen Course), West Lafayette Indiana
Mystic Hills GC, Culver Indiana
Oak Tree GC, Plainfield Indiana
Plum Creek GC, Carmel Indiana
Sahm GC, Indianapolis Indiana
The Bridgewater Club, Westfield Indiana
The Camferdam Golf Experience, Indianapolis Indiana
The Club at Chatham Hills, Westfield Indiana
The Club at Holliday Farms, Zionsville Indiana
The Fort GC, Indianapolis Indiana
The Pete Dye Course, French Lick Indiana
Woodland CC, Carmel Indiana
Des Moines G&CC, West Des Moines Iowa
Belle Terre CC, LaPlace Louisiana
TPC of Louisiana, Avondale Louisiana
Kearney Hill Golf Links, Lexington Kentucky
Peninsula GC, Lancaster Kentucky
Bulle Rock GC, Havre de Grace Maryland
Rum Pointe Seaside Golf Links, Berlin Maryland
The Links at Perry Cabin, St. Michaels Maryland
Radrick Farms Golf Course at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor Michigan
Wabeek CC, Bloomfield Hills Michigan
Boone Valley GC, Augusta Missouri
Old Hickory GC, St. Peters Missouri
Firethorn GC, Lincoln Nebraska
Desert Pines GC, Las Vegas Nevada
Paiute GC Resort, Las Vegas Nevada
Pound Ridge GC, Pound Ridge New York
Cardinal by Pete Dye, Greensboro North Carolina
CC of Landfall, Wilmington North Carolina
Founders GC, Southport North Carolina
Oak Hollow GC, High Point North Carolina
Avalon Lakes, Warren Ohio
Fowler's Mill GC, Chesterland Ohio
Little Turtle GC, Westerville Ohio
The Golf Club, New Albany Ohio
Oak Tree CC, Edmond Oklahoma
Iron Valley GC, Lebanon Pennsylvania
Montour Heights CC, Coraopolis Pennsylvania
Mystic Rock, Nemacolin Woodlands Resort, Farmington Pennsylvania
Colleton River Plantation Club (Dye Course), Bluffton South Carolina
DeBordieu Club, Georgetown South Carolina
Hampton Hall Club, Bluffton South Carolina
Harbour Town Golf Links, Hilton Head Island South Carolina
Heron Point, Hilton Head Island South Carolina
Kiawah Island Golf Resort (The Ocean Course), Kiawah Island South Carolina
Long Cove Club, Hilton Head Island South Carolina
Prestwick CC, Myrtle Beach South Carolina
The Dye Club at Barefoot Resort, North Myrtle Beach South Carolina
Rarity Mountain GC, Jellico Tennessee
The Honors GC, Ooltewah Tennessee
AT&T Canyons Course of TPC, at San Antonio San Antonio Texas
Austin CC, Austin Texas
Stonebridge Ranch CC (The Dye Course), McKinney Texas
The Stonebridge Ranch CC, McKinney Texas
Promontory Club, Park City Utah
Pete Dye River Course of Virginia Tech, Radford Virginia
River Course at Kingsmill Resort, Williamsburg Virginia
Virginia Beach National, Virginia Beach Virginia
Virginia Oaks, Gainesville Virginia
Pete Dye GC, Clarksburg West Virginia
Big Fish GC, Hayward Wisconsin
Blackwolf Run (River Course, Meadows Valley Course), Kohler Wisconsin
Whistling Straits (Irish Course, Straits Course), Haven Wisconsin
Mission Hills Dongguan (Pete Dye Course), Shenzhen Guangdong
Santa Barbara Beach Resort (Old Quarry GC), Willemstad Kingdom of the Netherlands
Teeth of the Dog, Dye Fore, The Links Casa de Campo, La Romana La Romana Province
La Romana CC, La Romana La Romana Province
Las Aromas GC, Santiago de los Caballeros Dominican Republic
La Reunion Antigua Golf Resort (Fuego Maya GC), Alotenango Sacatepéquez
Pristine Bay Resort (Black Pearl at Pristine Bay), French Harbour, Roatán Bay Islands
Caesarea G&CC, Caesarea Haifa
Franciacorta GC, Franciacorta Province of Brescia
GC du Domaine Impérial, Gland Vaud
Red Mountain Ranch CC, (Championship Course) Mesa Arizona
Carmel Valley Ranch GR, Carmel Valley Ranch California
La Quinta Resort and Club (Dunes Course, Mountain Course), La Quinta California
Lost Canyons Golf Club (Shadow Course, Sky Course), Simi Valley California
Mission Hills CC Pete Dye Course, Rancho Mirage California
PGA West (Stadium Course), La Quinta California
The Citrus GC, La Quinta California
The Hideaway GC Pete Dye Course, La Quinta California
The Westin Mission Hills Resort & Spa (South Course), Rancho Mirage California
Trump National GC - Los Angeles Rancho Palos Verdes California
Copper Creek GC, Copper Mountain Colorado
Glenmoor CC, Cherry Hills Village Colorado
Gypsum Creek GC, Gypsum Colorado
Plum Creek GC, Castle Rock Colorado
Riverdale Dunes, Brighton Colorado
The CC of Colorado, Colorado Springs Colorado
TPC River Highlands, Cromwell Connecticut
Wintonbury Hills GC, Bloomfield Connecticut
Amelia Island Plantation (Ocean Links), Amelia Island Florida
Delray Dunes G&CC, Boynton Beach Florida
Gasparilla Inn GC, Boca Grande Florida
Gulf Stream GC, Gulf Stream Florida
Harbor Course Grand Harbor, Vero Beach Florida
Harbour Ridge Yacht & CC (River Ridge Course), Palm City Florida
John's Island Club (North Course), Vero Beach Florida
John's Island Club (South Course), Vero Beach Florida
Medalist Golf Club, Jupiter Florida
Old Marsh GC, Palm Beach Gardens Florida
Palm Beach Polo (The Cypress Course), Wellington Florida
PGA Golf Club at the Reserve (Pete Dye Course), Port Saint Lucie Florida
River Ridge GC (Harbour Ridge), Palm City Florida
Southern Hills Plantation Club, Brooksville Florida
St. Andrews Club, Delray Beach Florida
Talis Park GC, Naples Florida
The Dye Preserve GC, Jupiter Florida
The Moorings Club of Vero Beach, Vero Beach Florida
TPC at Sawgrass (Dye Valley Course), Ponte Vedra Beach Florida
TPC at Sawgrass (Stadium Course), Ponte Vedra Beach Florida
West Bay Club, Estero Florida
Atlanta National Golf Club, Alpharetta Georgia
Ogeechee Golf Club, at the Ford Plantation Richmond Hill Georgia
Oakwood CC, Coal Valley Illinois
Ruffled Feathers Golf Club, Lemont Illinois
Tamarack CC, Shiloh Illinois
Yorktown GC, Belleville Illinois
Crooked Stick GC, Carmel Indiana
Dye's Walk CC, Greenwood Indiana
Eagle Creek GC at Eagle Creek Park (Pines and Sycamore Courses), Indianapolis Indiana
Forest Park GC, Brazil Indiana
Greenbelt GC, Columbus Indiana
Harbour Trees GC, Noblesville Indiana
Indianapolis Motor Speedway Brickyard Crossing GC, Speedway Indiana
Maple Creek G&CC, Indianapolis Indiana
Birck Boilermaker Golf Complex at Purdue University (Ackerman-Allen Course, Kampen Course), West Lafayette Indiana
Mystic Hills GC, Culver Indiana
Oak Tree GC, Plainfield Indiana
Plum Creek GC, Carmel Indiana
Sahm GC, Indianapolis Indiana
The Bridgewater Club, Westfield Indiana
The Camferdam Golf Experience, Indianapolis Indiana
The Club at Chatham Hills, Westfield Indiana
The Club at Holliday Farms, Zionsville Indiana
The Fort GC, Indianapolis Indiana
The Pete Dye Course, French Lick Indiana
Woodland CC, Carmel Indiana
Des Moines G&CC, West Des Moines Iowa
Belle Terre CC, LaPlace Louisiana
TPC of Louisiana, Avondale Louisiana
Kearney Hill Golf Links, Lexington Kentucky
Peninsula GC, Lancaster Kentucky
Bulle Rock GC, Havre de Grace Maryland
Rum Pointe Seaside Golf Links, Berlin Maryland
The Links at Perry Cabin, St. Michaels Maryland
Radrick Farms Golf Course at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor Michigan
Wabeek CC, Bloomfield Hills Michigan
Boone Valley GC, Augusta Missouri
Old Hickory GC, St. Peters Missouri
Firethorn GC, Lincoln Nebraska
Desert Pines GC, Las Vegas Nevada
Paiute GC Resort, Las Vegas Nevada
Pound Ridge GC, Pound Ridge New York
Cardinal by Pete Dye, Greensboro North Carolina
CC of Landfall, Wilmington North Carolina
Founders GC, Southport North Carolina
Oak Hollow GC, High Point North Carolina
Avalon Lakes, Warren Ohio
Fowler's Mill GC, Chesterland Ohio
Little Turtle GC, Westerville Ohio
The Golf Club, New Albany Ohio
Oak Tree CC, Edmond Oklahoma
Iron Valley GC, Lebanon Pennsylvania
Montour Heights CC, Coraopolis Pennsylvania
Mystic Rock, Nemacolin Woodlands Resort, Farmington Pennsylvania
Colleton River Plantation Club (Dye Course), Bluffton South Carolina
DeBordieu Club, Georgetown South Carolina
Hampton Hall Club, Bluffton South Carolina
Harbour Town Golf Links, Hilton Head Island South Carolina
Heron Point, Hilton Head Island South Carolina
Kiawah Island Golf Resort (The Ocean Course), Kiawah Island South Carolina
Long Cove Club, Hilton Head Island South Carolina
Prestwick CC, Myrtle Beach South Carolina
The Dye Club at Barefoot Resort, North Myrtle Beach South Carolina
Rarity Mountain GC, Jellico Tennessee
The Honors GC, Ooltewah Tennessee
AT&T Canyons Course of TPC, at San Antonio San Antonio Texas
Austin CC, Austin Texas
Stonebridge Ranch CC (The Dye Course), McKinney Texas
The Stonebridge Ranch CC, McKinney Texas
Promontory Club, Park City Utah
Pete Dye River Course of Virginia Tech, Radford Virginia
River Course at Kingsmill Resort, Williamsburg Virginia
Virginia Beach National, Virginia Beach Virginia
Virginia Oaks, Gainesville Virginia
Pete Dye GC, Clarksburg West Virginia
Big Fish GC, Hayward Wisconsin
Blackwolf Run (River Course, Meadows Valley Course), Kohler Wisconsin
Whistling Straits (Irish Course, Straits Course), Haven Wisconsin
Mission Hills Dongguan (Pete Dye Course), Shenzhen Guangdong
Santa Barbara Beach Resort (Old Quarry GC), Willemstad Kingdom of the Netherlands
Teeth of the Dog, Dye Fore, The Links Casa de Campo, La Romana La Romana Province
La Romana CC, La Romana La Romana Province
Las Aromas GC, Santiago de los Caballeros Dominican Republic
La Reunion Antigua Golf Resort (Fuego Maya GC), Alotenango Sacatepéquez
Pristine Bay Resort (Black Pearl at Pristine Bay), French Harbour, Roatán Bay Islands
Caesarea G&CC, Caesarea Haifa
Franciacorta GC, Franciacorta Province of Brescia
GC du Domaine Impérial, Gland Vaud