The two world-renowned Golf Course Architects, Alice and Pete
Dye, were married in 1950. Golf Course Designer, Pete Dye was
honored on 2/24/2015 with the 2015 Don A. Rossi Award from the
Golf Course Builders Association of America (GCBAA). In regard
to his wife, Alice winning the same award 20 years ago, Pete said,
“I was chasing Alice in college and I’m still chasing
her.” Photo by Ken May
Golf Course Designer Pete Dye honored with Don A. Rossi Award by the Golf Course Builders Association of America (GCBAA)
by Joe Stine
Golf Course
Designer Pete Dye was honored with the Don A. Rossi Award by the
Golf Course Builders Association of America (GCBAA) on 2/24/2015.
In a press release
The Golf Course Builders Association of America said, “The
GCBAA is pleased to announce Pete Dye as its recipient of the
prestigious Don A. Rossi Award. With a reputation of being a creative
genius and one of the most imaginative course designers in the
world, many consider Pete Dye to be the most famous golf architect
alive today.”
"In the history
of the awards program, we have honored builders, architects, and
celebrity golfers, and Pete encompasses all the aforementioned.
He has been an amazing contributor to our industry and we are
thrilled to bestow on him this special recognition," said
Justin Apel, GCBAA executive director.
The Rossi award
is given by the GCBAA to honor individuals who have made significant
contributions to the game of golf and its growth and who have
inspired others by example. It is named for Don A. Rossi, who
served as executive director of the National Golf Foundation from
1970 to 1983, and was instrumental in forming the National Golf
Course Owners Association and served as executive director of
the GCBAA from 1984 to 1990.
Though a champion
golfer, Pete's true interests were in the design and maintenance
of golf courses, so he left the insurance business to design and
build courses. Supported and accompanied by his wife, Alice, Pete
built a nine–hole course called El Dorado, now titled Royal
Oak Country Club, and an 18–hole course, Heather Hills, now
named Maple Creek Country Club.
Christmas 1961 with the Dye family - Pete, Alice, P.B.,
Perry and their pet dog.
Pete's subsequent
designs were impacted by a 1963 trip to Scotland. Touring Scottish
courses, Pete was influenced by their features, and he began to
incorporate such concepts into his own designs.
Pete's contributions
to and understanding of the game of golf are evident in the impact
his style has had on architecture for nearly three decades. Besides
being unique and incomparable, his designs are also environmentally
friendly.
The turf sessions
Pete attended under Dr. William Daniel fostered his interest in
course maintenance, and today his projects feature his drainage
and irrigation designs and wetlands areas, which help recycle
and purify water.
The Don A. Rossi
Award was given at the 2015 Golf Industry Show which was held
in San Antonio, Texas, Feb. 24 during the GCBAA Opening Reception
at the Marriott Riverwalk Hotel.
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