Five years ago, on February 1, 2019, Alice Dye passed away at the age of 91. While her husband, Pete, gained the majority of world-wide recognition for his designs, Alice was instrumental in nearly every single course that lists Pete as the architect. A highly accomplished amateur golfer (Pete would admit that Alice was the better golfer!), Alice provided continual and countless ideas utilized in the design of some of the world’s most famous golf courses. Ensuring courses were designed and playable for women (introducing multiple forward tee systems into the course design)–that was Alice. Island greens at TPC Sawgrass and PGA West Stadium–that was Alice. Alice was also key in hazard placements in Pete’s design–so instead of cursing Pete for the hazard you hit in, it likely may have been Alice’s doing!
Alice was a trailblazer, with a lot of female ‘firsts’. She was the first female member of the American Society of Golf Course Architects, and later became the first female president of the ASGCA in 1997. She was also the first female selected to the Board of the PGA of America Board of Directors.
The world lost an icon in golf course design 5 years ago. RIP, Alice Dye.