from the Experts in Golf Holidays
⏱ 6 min read
As one of the most acclaimed modern golf course architects, Pete Dye has left his mark on the world of golf from America to China.
His 94 years saw him design over 100 golf courses across the globe including Guatemala, Israel, Honduras, Italy, Dominican Republic, Switzerland, China and America.
Pete Dye Facts
| Name | Paul Dye Jnr (known as Pete) |
| Born | 29 Dec, 1925 |
| Died | Jan 9, 2020 |
| Nationality | American |
With many design traits that are unique to Pete and Alice Dye, they often feature within the world's Top 100 Golf Courses. Whether it is the scene of the War on The Shore for the 1991 Ryder Cup at Kiawah Island, Major and Ryder Cup hosting Whistling Straits in Wisconsin or Jacksonville's Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass, Dye has managed to create a raft of great golf courses that are not only playable for the pros but also enjoyed by thousands of amateurs each year who descend on these destinations for their next golf holiday.
Dominican Republic
7 Nights, 5 Rounds
Kiawah Island
5 Nights, 3 Rounds
Whether it is the Ryder Cup golf courses at Kiawah Island (Ocean Course) and Whistling Straits (Straits Course), the annual spectacle provided at TPC Sawgrass with The PLAYERS Course or the amazingly beautiful Teeth of The Dog at Casa de Campo, Pete Dye's designs are amongst the very best in the world, appreciated by amateurs and professionals alike.
The partnership of husband and wife have never been so well-matched in golf course design as that seen with Pete and Alice Dye. Their design genius, born out of elite amateur golf careers, saw them make their mark around the world with well-regarded golf courses in China at Mission Hills, South Carolina's Harbour Town Golf Links and California's La Quinta Golf Resort.
From a very early age, Dye looked set to become a major player within golf. Born in 1925 in Ohio, Dye's father, Paul "Pink" Dye, created a 9-hole golf course within their family home.
This led Dye onto becoming a very accomplished amateur golfer, claiming the Ohio State High School Championship and playing in numerous state, regional and national golf competitions.
After enlisting in the United States army in 1944, ending his stint in Fort Bragg where his greenkeeping skills saw him look after the golf course at the military base.
Being based in North Carolina saw him become a regular at one of America's top-rated golf courses, Pinehurst. It was here that Dye was able to gain in-depth playing experience at the Championship Number 2 golf course that went onto be seen in his later golf course designs.
Dye went onto enjoy a successful career within insurance in Indiana before devoting his career to golf course design in his mid-30's. Working in partnership with his wife, talented amateur golfer, Alice Dye.
Dye's first marquee design was seen at Crooked Stick Golf Club in Indianapolis which went onto host The PGA Championship. Many of Dye's designs were inspired by his international travels, this is most prominently seen in his use of pot bunkers and double greens which were as a result of his visits to Scotland playing in The Amateur Championship.
Dye's work was recognised in many honours. Ranging the Old Tom Morris Award from the Golf Course Superintendents Association of Ameria, The PGA Distinguished Service Award, The PGA Tour Lifetime Achievement Award and World Golf Hall of Fame. This combined with the doctorate he received from Purdue University makes Pete Dye one of the, if not the, most decorated golf course architects in the world.
Whether it is the collaboration between Jack Nicklaus and Pete Dye at Hilton Head for Harbour Town Golf Links, the incredible championship layout which is enjoyed at Mission Hills or the course that was macheted out of tropical coastline of Casa de Campo in La Romana, Dominican Republic, Dye's designs are clear for all to enjoy and see. His penchant for expansive bunkers and waste areas as well as edgy green complexes are evident on any golf courses that he worked on.
Hilton Head
5 Nights, 3 Rounds
Hilton Head
5 Nights, 3 Rounds
Palm Springs
5 Nights, 3 Rounds
Nevada
5 Nights, 3 Rounds