Architect Pete Dye named as inductee to World Golf Hall of Fame

Golf course architect Pete Dye has been named as an inductee to the World Golf Hall of Fame in Lifetime Achievement Category. Dye is a member of the Advisory Council of The Environmental Institute of Golf, and was recipient of GCSAA's Old Tom Morris Award in 2003. He will be inducted on Nov. 10.

Only three other members of the hall were golf course architects as their primary occupation. The others are Donald Ross, Alister Mackenzie and Robert Trent Jones Sr.

"This is really a surprise," Dye said. "With all the great people that are in the hall of fame, it's an honor to be part of them because they've all given back to the game of golf, and I'm certainly proud to be here as one of them."

The hall of fame plans to name other inductees at the U.S. Open and British Open. According to Jack Peter, chief operating officer, no one on the international ballot received the required 50 percent of the vote.

As one of the most influential golf course architects of the modern era, Dye has designed more than 120 courses, several of which have hosted major championships, a Ryder Cup and PGA and LPGA tour events.

"He came along at a time when he really changed the nature of golf course architecture, and I think that's good," USGA executive director David Fay said.