Tour pros, journalists pay tribute to the late, great Pete Dye on social media

January 10, 2020

Iconic golf course architect Pete Dye passed away at the age of 94 on Thursday, January 9.

Michael O'Brien

With Pete Dye’s passing yesterday, the golf world lost an icon. As the news of Pete’s death at the age of 94 made it’s way around the industry, stories of his life, sense of humor and wicked design philosophy began pouring out onto social media.

Everyone from Jack Nicklaus to our own Jonathan Wall had a Pete Dye story to share. And they paint a picture of a man who was fiercely dedicated to his craft, his family and who had a wicked sense of humor that was evident in his designs and his interactions.

It was Pete who inspired me to start designing courses more than 50 years ago, and so in many ways I owe my second career to him.
I think Pete Dye was the most creative, imaginative and unconventional golf course designer I have ever been around. pic.twitter.com/ostZUh48Eb
— Jack Nicklaus (@jacknicklaus) January 10, 2020

Followed Pete. Loved Pete. Barbara & I loved Pete & his wife Alice.
We lost Alice less than a year ago, now Pete today. We lost two wonderful people.
Pete was the most innovative course designer in my lifetime and certainly the golf world should mourn the loss of this great man. pic.twitter.com/UsEPWIOmyA
— Jack Nicklaus (@jacknicklaus) January 10, 2020

View this post on Instagram

Pete Dye was a course and comedic genius and the golf world was blessed to have him ? (@jonathanrwall)

A post shared by GOLF.com // GOLF Magazine (@golf_com) on Jan 10, 2020 at 6:50am PST

Today golf has lost a man whose everlasting imprint will never be forgotten. He was the Picasso of golf architecture & changed 20th century golf course design. He started me on my design career & taught & challenged me to be naturally different. RIP my dear friend Pete Dye. pic.twitter.com/ipMWutbCIS
— Greg Norman (@SharkGregNorman) January 10, 2020

There was no mistaking Pete Dye’s courses. He was incredibly talented and imaginative when designing them and as a result, all of them were built tough. I’m saddened to hear of his passing. He will be missed. pic.twitter.com/mh5gERCUqw
— Vijay Singh (@VijaySinghGolf) January 10, 2020

This morning I played an enjoyable round on Mr. Dye’s master creation.

His life had and will continue to have such a profound impact on the game. pic.twitter.com/mOohxpPJ6A
— Rory McIlroy (@McIlroyRory) January 10, 2020

RIP Pete Dye. What a legend. 🙏😭
— Phil Mickelson Tracker (@TrackingPhil) January 9, 2020

So sorry 2 hear of Pete Dye’s passing.A friend to all who ever met him.Genius, unequaled imagination..What I enjoyed a admired most is that he would get down a dirty. On his hands a knees dirty, and that, is when he looked the happiest. RIP Pete. Golf will miss you ?
— Curtis Strange (@golf_strange) January 10, 2020

Your love for the game is evident in every single challenge you’ve designed for us, and we wouldn’t have it any other way.

Thank you, Pete. pic.twitter.com/ZBwVOJARdE
— THE PLAYERS (@THEPLAYERS) January 9, 2020

While Pete is well-known and loved in professional golf circles, he was also a man of the people. Several anecdotes of Pete calling up a club himself, or getting down and dirty to help make his bold course visions a reality surfaced as well. All of it painting a picture of a man golf will sorely miss.

I had a cool moment as an Assistant Pro at @HolstonHillsCC, the caller ID in the pro shop said “Pete Dye.” I answered, thinking it was someone from his company or one of his golf courses. Nope! It was the man himself! He was such a gentleman and made an impression on me. #PGA https://t.co/m784hL73zR
— Braxton Hunter (@golfbrax02) January 10, 2020

While in my first year as an assistant at @fordplantation during the renovation I had the pleasure of meeting Pete Dye. His eye for architecture and true passion for golf left it's mark not only on the course but on myself. Legends never die. RIP Mr. Dye pic.twitter.com/i9lkncnlL6
— Justin Lumpkin (@JLumpkin_380) January 9, 2020

I had the honor of meeting Pete Dye at one of his courses, after we finished our round headed to the 19th hole. He asked how I liked the redesign. I told him it was great and that I birdied the last two.

“You’ve ruined my day” he said, and walked away. Legit pissed.

RIP
— Drew Carr (@DrewCarr_) January 9, 2020

I took my cassette recorder back to my office and tried to generate a transcript. Spent so much time rewinding and replaying that the tape ribbon broke. I cursed old Pete, just as I've done so many times on his golf courses. A great character and a great architect. RIP Pete /2
— Thomas Dunne (@thomasdunne) January 9, 2020

They shared a special bond. Dye did all four of Kohler’s courses. More from Herb Kohler on Pete Dye. pic.twitter.com/FPYGtMmWRO
— Matt Ginella (@MattGinella) January 9, 2020

More on the passing of Pete Dye, this from Bobby Weed, a third son... pic.twitter.com/LgIq4Jl5pI
— Matt Ginella (@MattGinella) January 10, 2020

Sneds on Pete Dye: "You respected him because he built some great golf courses, but in the midst of playing them, you hated his guts." Big smile. Fond memories.
— Doug Ferguson (@dougferguson405) January 10, 2020

So many great Dye anecdotes flying around. This, via Bamberger, is one of my favorites. Full column: https://t.co/UG3W4bdG6p pic.twitter.com/Ql138OU1H5
— Alan Bastable (@alan_bastable) January 10, 2020

Pete Dye's last full-course design was in Maryland. What I loved most was that it was Pete, Alice and son P.B. teaming up to redesign a course Pete's brother, Andy, originally did. Family all the way through.
— Ryan Ballengee (@RyanBallengee) January 9, 2020

Golf in Indiana would not have been the same without Pete’s influence. He moved there after serving in World War II to sell insurance, but wound up becoming a prolific course architect instead. The state, and it’s sports teams, paid tribute to one of their most beloved citizens.

Rest in peace, my friend Pete Dye. One of life's great gentlemen, and one of golf's greatest icons.
— Jim Irsay (@JimIrsay) January 9, 2020

Pacers Sports & Entertainment joins the world of golf and our fellow Hoosiers in mourning the passing of Pete Dye. pic.twitter.com/z7NFsvlIx5
— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) January 10, 2020

Pete Dye built over a hundred courses all over the world, and his legacy will live on in those classic green complexes and well-designed fairways. It will also live on in all of those he mentored, including Nicklaus and Norman and countless others. And as Tour pros size up the 150-yard tee shot on the 17th tee at TPC Sawgrass during the Players Championship in February, Pete will certainly be on everyone’s mind.

To receive GOLF’s all-new newsletters, subscribe for free here.