I had the distinct pleasure to meet and interview Perry Dye in San Salvador, El Salvador. Here is a three-part video interview where Perry tells stories about how golf came to the Dye Family, explains his passion and mission in life and shares the vision of golf in the future.
CLICK here for Video Interview with Pete Dye Part 1 of 3 How golf found the Dye Family.
CLICK here for Video Interview with Pete Dye Part 2 of 3 Perry’s Passion & Mission in Life.
CLICK here for Video Interview with Pete Dye Part 3 of 3 Drive Dye’s Designs in Central America.
Perry Dye (excerpted from www.DyeDesigns .com)
Perry Dye is the elder son in a family whose contributions have become an integral part of the history and tradition of golf course design and construction. In 1922, Perry’s grandfather designed and constructed a nine hole golf course in Urbana, Ohio. This is where Perry’s father, Pete Dye, grew up and received his early training. This heritage, which began in the Midwestern United States, has been carried from generation to generation and has provided the foundation for the creation of some of the world’s finest golf courses.
All members of the Dye family have contributed their unique talents and knowledge to the improvement of the game. Altogether Perry, his father Pete, his mother Alice and his younger brother P.B. have placed the “Dye” name on over 200 courses around the world. Golfers enjoy over 4 million rounds of golf per year on Perry Dye/Dye Designs golf courses alone.
Perry began his apprenticeship under his father at the early age of 12. Perry’s tutelage began at Crooked Stick Golf Club in Carmel, IN, and The Golf Club in Columbus, OH, and continued at other Midwest courses until the early 70s. During his college years, Perry worked on the construction of such well known courses as Oak Tree Golf Club in Edmond, OK; The Country Club of Colorado in Colorado Springs, CO; and Casa de Campo in the Dominican Republic. Full-time work in golf course design and construction began in the 80s, with Plum Creek Golf and Country Club in Castle Rock, CO; Glenmoor Country Club in Cherry Hills Village, CO; Riverdale Dunes in Brighton, CO; and Rancho Santa Fe Farms Golf Club in Rancho Santa Fe, CA.
During his travels and work in the golf industry, Perry recognized the growing demand and market for worldwide golf services and challenging Dye golf courses. Realizing there were no companies in the industry that could provide technical assistance and expertise to land developers/owners in creating golf operations that would enhance the environment and the community, Dye Designs went international in 1986.
Perry first took Dye Designs to Japan in 1986 and has since been involved in the design, construction and maintenance of 22 courses there. Perry realized that golf courses can be a catalyst for bridging the gap between cultures and countries. Designs for and completed golf course projects in Taiwan, Thailand, Japan, Korea, Australia, Austria, Spain, Germany, Brazil, Mexico, Guatemala, Panama, Honduras, and the United States are keeping Dye Designs busy around the globe. The logging of millions of air miles are an indication of the amount of time Perry devotes to visiting projects to ensure that every detail of the design gives the course the Dye trademark of excellence.
Perry’s dedication and contributions to golf are evidenced by his work to promote the growth and economic structure of the golf course industry through mutual cooperation and support of allied industry and professional groups, civic organizations, and the general public. Perry has been a featured speaker at conferences held throughout the world on various topics that affect golf course design and construction.
Dye Designs has received several awards of recognition for entrepreneurial leadership and contributions to the growth of business in the state of Colorado, including Colorado Company of the Year in both 1988 and 1989.
In March, 1996, Perry O. Dye was accepted into the prestigious American Society of Golf Course Architects (ASGCA). The Society states, “A member of the American Society of Golf Course Architects is one by virtue of his/her knowledge of the game, training, experience, vision and inherent ability, in all ways qualified to design and prepare specifications for a course of functional and aesthetic perfection. An ASGCA member is further qualified to execute and oversee the implementation on the ground of the plans and specifications to create an enjoyable layout that challenges golfers of all abilities and exemplifies the highest standards and traditions of golf. He/she will counsel in all phases of the work to protect the best interest of the client.”
Perry 0. Dye is unique among golf course architects in his participation and support of the Golf Course Builders Association of America (GCBAA). Perry is a Charter Member and past president of the association. In 2004, Perry received the inaugural Perry Dye Award, which honors “exceptional individuals who have unselfishly contributed their influence to foster positive changes for the association and have continually endeavored to make it better.”
Dye Designs has established a working relationship with many of the “certified golf course builders” who are members of the GCBAA. These companies have been certified by the GCBAA as a result of their experience and on-going participation in the golf course construction industry. Dye Designs will gladly provide introduction to these companies during the cost estimation and bidding phase of the golf course project.
Perry was recently recognized by the country of Guatemala for his contributions to the tourist industry. To contact Perry, email him at perry@dyedesigns.com.