PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. – The PGA Golf Club in Port St. Lucie, Fla., officially unveiled today the newly restored 18-hole Dye Course by legendary namesake designer and 2004 PGA Distinguished Service Award winner Pete Dye.
PGA of America Chief Executive Officer Joe Steranka, Port St. Lucie Mayor Patricia Christensen and Dye were on-hand for a press conference that highlighted the recent changes made to the Dye Course at The PGA Golf Club, ranked by Golf Digest as one of the "75 Best Golf Resorts in North America." The Dye Course was also recently ranked among the "50 Best Courses for Women" by Golf for Women.
The PGA of America and Dye worked together to institute changes that reflected a historical restoration, as opposed to the traditional golf course renovation. So, instead of converting the Dye Course into resort-style golf, the renovations allow the course to stay true to its distinctly different links-style course setup.
"The Dye Course is the centerpiece of the most extraordinary golf facility in the entire world." said Steranka. "The redesigned Dye Course is a testament to natural golf."
Dye Course patrons will likely notice the stunning color contrast throughout the course; how crisp, clean and concise the golf course has transformed into within a span of five months; and how much more playable it is for players of all abilities.
"I really like that golf course," said Dye. "I am extremely proud of the results that we have seen today. It is the most environmentally friendly golf course in the world."
"In 1996, The PGA Golf Club literally put Port St. Lucie on the map when what is now the Wanamaker and Ryder Courses made their debuts, and now, within a year, we have unveiled three newly renovated courses by Tom Fazio and Pete Dye," added Mayor Christensen. "The PGA Golf Club is truly a treasure and a point of pride for everyone who calls Port St. Lucie and the Treasure Coast home, as well as the 28,000 PGA Professionals that regard The PGA Golf Club as their home course year round. I personally invite the public to come out to these amazing facilities at The PGA Golf Club and experience golf at its finest."
A significant change to the Dye Course appears on the first hole, which added 20 yards to its Championship tees. With the addition of impressive landscaping, the opening hole now offers golfers a totally different feel, and a sense that players are not actually playing in a residential community. An open bowl effectoffers stunning views of the 100-acre "Big Mamu" Wetlands. Meanwhile, 30-yards were added to its medal tees, bringing the total yardage for the Par 72 layout at 7,200 yards.
"The grand debut of the restoration of the Dye Course is an exciting and much-anticipated day in the history of The PGA Golf Club," said Bob Baldassari, PGA general manager of The PGA Golf Club. "We truly believe that golfers will be amazed at the improvements made over the last several months. They’ll experience challenging, but fair, courses with lush fairways and greens, as well as marvelous bunkers and spectacular views of wetlands that makes for a special and pure golf experience that’s in-line with Pete Dye’s one-of-a-kind design work."
Changes Made to the Dye Course During the Restoration
â?¢ New Champion UltraDwarf grass installed on all 18 greens.
â?¢ Paspallum Supreme grass installed on all 18 tee grounds.
â?¢ New tee boxes were added on Hole Nos. 1 and 14
â?¢ 450 trees were added throughout the course
â?¢ 150 of these trees were added around Pete’s Turn, in addition to a significant amount of additional landscaping between Hole Nos. 9-12.
â?¢ New irrigation and coquina base were installed along 400,000-square feet of car paths which will reduces the amount of dust produced from the sand, especially on windy days.
â?¢ Improvement of bunkers along the course, including sand replaced in all greenside bunkers.
â?¢ Vista portals cleaned up and maintained along the course.
â?¢ Several holes added pinnable locations, highlighted by Nos. 2, 5, 6 and 9.
â?¢ Approximately 50 yards were added to the course increasing the total yardage to
7,200-yards from the Championship tees. (Hole No. 1 added 20 yards and Hole No. 14
added 30 yards.)
â?¢ Hole No. 1 now presents a spectacular bowl effect view of the 100-acre "Big Mamu" Wetlands.
About The PGA Golf Club:
The Ryder, Wanamaker and Dye Courses form a trio of world-class public courses at The PGA Golf Club, in Port St. Lucie, Fla. Named by Golf Digest as one of the "75 Best Golf Resorts in North America" for 2007-08, The PGA Golf Club also features the award-winning 35-acre PGA Learning Center golf park and PGA Historical Center. The PGA Golf Club exists to be one of the premier daily fee facilities in America, and to serve as a home club for our 28,000 PGA of America Golf Professionals. For more information, please visit www.pgavillage.com.
About The PGA of America
The PGA of America is the world’s largest working sports organization, comprised of 28,000 men and women golf Professionals who are the recognized experts in growing, teaching and managing the game of golf, while serving millions of people throughout its 41 PGA Sections nationwide. Since its founding in 1916, The PGA of America has enhanced its leadership position in a $62 billion-a-year industry by growing the game of golf through its premier spectator events, world-class education and training programs, significant philanthropic outreach initiatives and award-winning golf promotions. Today’s PGA Professional is the public’s link to the game, serving an essential role in the operation of golf facilities throughout the country.
Contact:
Michael Abramowitz
561/624-8458
mabramowtiz@pgahq.com
