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.