The Golf Course Builders Association of America (GCBAA) has announced Pete Dye as its recipient of the prestigious Don A. Rossi Award. With a reputation of being a creative genius and one of the most imaginative course designers in the world, many consider Pete Dye to be the most famous golf architect alive today.
“In the history of the awards program, we have honoured builders, architects, and celebrity golfers, and Pete encompasses all the aforementioned. He has been an amazing contributor to our industry and we are thrilled to bestow on him this special recognition,” said Justin Apel, GCBAA executive director. The Rossi award is given by the GCBAA to honour individuals who have made significant contributions to the game of golf and its growth and who have inspired others by example. It is named for Don A. Rossi, who served as executive director of the National Golf Foundation from 1970 to 1983, was instrumental in forming the National Golf Course Owners Association and served as executive director of the GCBAA from 1984 to 1990.
Though a champion golfer, Pete’s true interests were in the design and maintenance of golf courses, so he left the insurance business to design and build courses. Supported and accompanied by his wife, Alice, Pete built a nine–hole course called El Dorado, now titled Royal Oak Country Club, and an 18–hole course, Heather Hills, now named Maple Creek Country Club.
Pete’s subsequent designs were impacted by a 1963 trip to Scotland. Touring Scottish courses, Pete was influenced by their features, and he began to incorporate such concepts into his own designs. Pete’s contributions to and understanding of the game of golf are evident in the impact his style has had on architecture for nearly three decades.
Besides being unique and incomparable, his designs are also environmentally friendly. The turf sessions Pete attended under Dr. William Daniel fostered his interest in course maintenance, and today his projects feature his drainage and irrigation designs and wetlands areas, which help recycle and purify water.
The Don A. Rossi Award will be given at the 2015 Golf Industry Show to be held in San Antonio, Texas, Feb. 24 during the GCBAA Opening Reception at the Marriott Riverwalk Hotel.
Golf Course Builders Association of America www.gcbaa.org
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