This post is also available in:
Spanish
Pete Dye, one of the world’s most successful and influential golf course designers, who also happens to be the designer of all of Casa de Campo’s world-famous courses; the Teeth of the Dog, Links, Dye Fore and the La Romana Country Club, turned 92 years old on Friday!
Pete Dye, from the United States, is the first non-Dominican to be inducted into the Dominican Golf Hall of Fame, an honor in recognition of his contribution in making the Dominican Republic a world-class golf destination. The Teeth of the Dog, opened by Pete Dye in 1971 was the designers first golf course in the Dominican Republic and which has been ranked the #1 golf course in the Caribbean on numerous occasions, making it one of the Dominican Republic’s top tourist attractions.
He has also received many awards and recognition; the 2003 Old Tom Morris Award from the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America, the PGA Tour Lifetime Achievement Award, the Donald Ross Award from the American Society of Golf Course Architects, and he was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in November 2008 in the Lifetime Achievement category. Back in 2013, he was immortalized, when local artisan “El Artistico” created a statue that now stands at the entrance of the Teeth of the Dog. On a worldwide level, Pete Dye is considered one of the most influential golf course designers of the last 60 years. There are only a few places where you can play the beauty, challenge, and vision of golf’s master course designer, Pete Dye. At Casa de Campo, however, you can play not just one of his golf courses, but three, including one of the best in the world, and #1 in the Caribbean, Teeth of the Dog. Each and every hole is a new test of skills, no matter for how long you have played golf.
Birthdays are special days, and even more if you are turning 92 and still passionate about what you do! To commemorate this occasion, a few members of the community wanted to express their best wishes to the man who is considered the best golf course designer in the world.
“Sending our most heartfelt wishes for the happiest of happy birthdays to one of the most talented golf course architects on this earth!
We are so proud to have your masterpieces at Casa de Campo Resort, your casa! Congratulations and God bless you, Mr. Dye.” – Andres Pichardo, President Casa de Campo Resort“Thank you for all you have done for CDC. With love” – Alfonso Paniagua
“I’ve known Pete Dye for over 42 years. I first met him through Charles Bluhdorn when I first joined Gulf & Western Industries in 1975. He had recently designed and built Teeth of the Dog and the Links golf courses in Casa de Campo. Pete put his imprint on the resort with one of the worlds finest courses which is considered still today one of the world’s top 25. Pete has always had a keen eye for space, vegetation and water and how to use these variables to make challenging and beautiful golf courses throughout the world. When it came to choosing his own building lot as Charlie Bluhdorn wanted him to have one, he selected Costa Verde as the most beautiful and dramatic area in the resort. There he picked probably the best lot in the whole complex and built a small stone and thatched roof complex for himself which he kept for over 30 years.
Pete has always been a class act. Casa de Campo would not be what it is without Pete Dye’s contributions. Casa de Campo is not a resort with 5 golf courses. It is 5 Pete Dye golf courses with a resort called Casa de Campo.
Happy Birthday, Pete!!!” – Rolando Gonzalez Bunster
“Pete, I met you 38 years ago when I first arrived at CDC. I am always grateful for that day, for your help and friendship. Happy birthday. ” – Gilles E. Gagnon, Director of Golf Emeritus / Director of Golf Sales
“Happy birthday for “El grande Jefe” – E.Nunez Malena, Vice President of golf course maintenance operations
“Dear Pete, Happy 92nd birthday! Your vision, hard work and sense of humor have been a true inspiration for us for all the years we have been working and playing here at Casa de Campo. All the best to you and your family! “ – Bill and Rosie Everett