On a chilly St. Augustine evening in November, Pete Dye was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame. The 2008 recipient for Lifetime Achievement, Dye, 82, was recognized for his invaluable contributions to the game of golf. Introduced by friend and fellow Hall of Fame member Greg Norman, Pete accepted the award with his wife and business partner Alice and sons P.B. and Perry- both established architects in their own right- by his side.
Pete has often been called the most influential architect of modern golf design, although he modestly sees himself as a man who just loves to play in the dirt. He is the only the fifth golf course architect to be included in the Hall. Pete said he was "really thrilled to be a part of the Hall of Fame, and very honored by the company I am in."
Dye's influence on the game of golf has inspired numerous designers of today. His bold, creative designs both enthuse and frustrate professional and amateur players and continuously provide a one-of-a-kind playing experience. His innovation in design is unparalleled, and has changed the way that today's designers approach projects.
"The way Pete gets on a property and feels it is pretty impressive," says course designer Tiger Woods. "His courses built for tournaments are hard, but there's a good reason behind everything. We've talked for hours. To get his opinion has been invaluable."
"I think of Pete like Picasso" Arthur Hills, another of the great golf course designers, said. "somebody that has created a non-traditional design, whether it's a painting, a sculpture or a golf course. He was so innovative in a profession that is very traditional."
"If I hadn't started with Pete, I'd be a different designer today," Jack Nicklaus says "Or not a designer at all."
