Legendary golf course designer Pete Dye dies, age 94
The golf world is reacting to the news that legendary golf course designer Pete Dye has died, age 94.
Dye changed the face of modern golf with his epic, extreme golf designs such as TPC Sawgrass, Whistling Straits, and Harbour Town.
Geoff Shackelford has penned a wonderful tribute on his site, “The Legacy Of Pete Dye: How He Changed Golf”;
While his work has aged in both beautiful and bizarre ways, Dye’s design legacy will never be rooted in one particular course. This, even as the impact of TPC Sawgrass and “Stadium golf” alone made him World Golf Hall of Fame worthy. Instead, the real genius of his work is almost overwhelming to contemplate. Dye put a stop to the runaway craze of 1950’s runway banality built to punish and all with so little character.
Here is a brief video summary of Pete Dye’s career including a bit on the famous island green at TPC Sawgrass.
And a few more early tributes from twitter:
A 2008 inductee into the World Golf Hall of Fame, Pete Dye's influence leaves a global imprint on both the amateur and professional games.
Thank you, Pete. pic.twitter.com/0ir7lKdmbR
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) January 9, 2020
"Pete Dye left an imprint on the world of golf that will be experienced for generations, painting wonderful pictures with the land that continue to inspire, entertain & challenge us. The PGA is saddened by the passing of this dear friend of the PGA Professional.” (1/2) pic.twitter.com/rUWN7Xyh53
— PGA of America (@PGA) January 9, 2020
https://twitter.com/jonathanrwall/status/1215405006603653120
Pete Dye passed away this morning at the age of 94. He had been dealing with dementia and poor health. Just a sample of the incredible places he and wife Alice designed:
TPC Sawgrass
Whistling Straits
Kiawah Island's Ocean Course French Lick
Teeth of the DogWhat a life.
— Ryan Ballengee (@RyanBallengee) January 9, 2020