By Design - Spring 2019

19 Alice’s influence on Pete's designs stretched far beyond her famous contribution to the island green seventeenth hole at TPC Sawgrass most, and they each filled an irreplaceable role in the partnership. “Observing that dynamic was probably the most significant benefit from my time with them. From Pete, I learned that it’s essential to push boundaries, try new things, and never stop innovating. But from Alice, I learned the importance of having wise counsel around—a voice that can pull you back from going too far, or give you the confidence to put the pencil down.” A crusader and pioneer “She was such an accomplished woman in so many ways,” says Bill Coore, ASGCA. “She was a crusader and a pioneer, obviously for women’s golf, but much more than even that. “She was a crusader and a pioneer for golf architecture, she was the first female president of the ASGCA and was such a proponent of the Society and golf architecture in general. “She was such a huge influence on Pete’s designs. Obviously, Pete got the lion’s share of the credit for them, but those of us who did work with Pete and Alice knew that Alice was very, very instrumental and influential in those golf designs, and far beyond just where the forward tees might be. “The seventeenth hole at Sawgrass and the thirteenth green at Harbour Town—they are just two minor things out of countless ways she influenced Pete. “They had such good personal relationships with the most influential people in golf and they would quietly contribute their ideas and perspectives about different things that were being considered.” Coore worked with the Dyes in the early 1970s. “Even in that short period of time, for whatever reasons, Alice treated me like family. And when I say that, I mean she would praise me like family, or scold me like family! “She was very influential and a mentor as much as Pete was in my evolution of understanding of golf.” A leader “Alice Dye was the epitome of leadership by example,” says Jan Bel Jan, ASGCA. “A celebrated competitive amateur golfer and observer of the average golfer—male and female—she was a golf course architect who could and did impact golf course design. “Alice was always gracious and encouraging to me, and was generous in offering meaningful perspective. She was constantly thoughtful toward all of the golf course architects she and Pete mentored. “Alice’s ideas for fairness were avant-garde when she first discussed them. She published her ‘Two-Tee System for Women’ in 1989 when the US national average length course from the forward tees was 5,800 Photo: Courtesy of Ken May. All rights Rolling Greens Photography Inc.