Ohio Golf Journal May 2020

The Pete Dye Golf Trai l: Back Home in Indiana T he late hall-of-fame golf course architect, Pete Dye was the Donald Ross of his generation. Dye’s footprint on U.S. golf is prolific and some of his best designs can be found in Indiana. Jack Nicklaus, himself a world-renowned golf course architect, was a fan of Dye’s creative genius, THE PETE DYE COURSE at French Lick The Pete Dye Course at French Lick was built atop of the second highest peak in Indiana. Many adjectives, breathtaking, dramatic and exciting, can be used to describe it. The course provides a 360-degree view of the surrounding Hoosier National Forest. From many parts of this golf course, you can see 30-40 miles in every direction. Dye wanted to give golfers a panoramic view of southern Indiana. “As I built the golf course, I tried to get the tees, the fairways, and the greens in position that they have these long views over the valleys and hills,” stated Dye. “The ambience of the course is the look, the vistas from all the different tees, greens and fairways.” “I think Pete Dye was the most creative, imaginative, and unconventional golf course designer that I have ever been around.” While Dye’s most publicized project was the Stadium Course at the TPC Sawgrass, the roots of his golf designs can be found in Indiana. Dye’s first 18-hole creation was the By Mike May Maple Creek Golf and Country Club, which opened in 1961 in Indianapolis. The Pete Dye Trail was formed to honor his courses and includes; The Pete Dye Course at French Lick, Brickyard Crossing, The Fort, Maple Creek, Tippecanoe, as well as, the Ackerman-Alan and Kampen courses at the Birck Boilermaker Golf Complex. Ohio Golf Journal