Architect

Pete Dye

181 courses on Course Vaults

Pete Dye (1925–2020) was one of golf architecture's most influential and innovative figures, transforming more than 200 courses worldwide over his career. Working alongside his wife and fellow designer Alice Dye, he developed a reputation for converting unpromising terrain into visually dramatic, strategically challenging layouts that pioneered "target golf"—a style demanding precision over power.

His portfolio spans landmark championship venues and acclaimed private clubs. The Ocean Course at Kiawah Island and the Straits at Whistling Straits rank among the world's most admired seaside tests, while TPC Sawgrass's Players Stadium Course—home to the iconic island-green 17th—epitomizes his theatrical approach. Early successes like Harbour Town Golf Links and Crooked Stick established his prominence, and later works including The Honors Course, The Medalist, and Pete Dye Golf Club demonstrate the breadth of his creative range across settings from Tennessee to West Virginia.

Signature themes

Dye's designs feature bold bunkering, railroad ties, small greens, and strategic risk-reward choices. Courses like Oak Tree National, French Lick Resort's Pete Dye Course, and both layouts at Blackwolf Run showcase his ability to shape distinctive challenges from varied landscapes.

Sources: Wikipedia articles linked above; course list from Course Vaults.

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