By Design - Spring 2020

14 | By Design PETE DYE, ASGCA FELLOW Columbus, Ohio. I always joked with him in later years that he paid me below slave labor. He would respond, ‘I think I overpaid you!’ Thus, began my long and wonderful relationship with Pete. Not a single word can accurately describe him. He was fun, a maverick, innovative, home spun, quick witted, a great storyteller, and most importantly, my friend.” Greg Muirhead, ASGCA, began his career in golf architecture by completing two internships with Pete before assisting him with the construction of a course in Colorado. Pete and Alice then helped Muirhead secure his current position with Rees Jones, Inc. “I first met Pete at Crooked Stick, where our family had a membership,” says Muirhead. “He and Alice both counseled me regarding a career in golf architecture while I was in high school and throughout college. Golf design is a very small business that has always been very difficult for a young person to break into. Like several of today’s designers, my career is directly related to Pete and Alice generously giving me an opportunity and helping me along. They were both great players, designers, and most importantly, people. “My fondest memories of Pete are remembering how he went about his work when he came to town for a site visit. His passion for golf and design were unmatched. He was truly a ‘field- architect’, continuously modifying what had been shaped until he had what he wanted…and then changing it again during his next visit!” A test of skill “His courses were a great test for professionals, but I believe he also gave higher handicapped golfers options on how to play the hole,” says Schmidt. “Leaving open entries to greens, safe routes of play from the tee and various options on how to play the hole were design philosophies he would instill. “He loved testing the skills of professionals through his designs. Angles of play with increasing difficulty, varying green shapes and contours, using grass types to add contrast and creating half shots were other traits of his designs we learned to love. He pushed the envelope , always trying different things to bring a uniqueness to his designs