56 Chris Lutzke says that Pete’s preference for untrained assistance was critical. “He didn’t care about past experience. As a matter of fact, he preferred that you didn’t have any,” he says. “That way, he could mould you into what he wanted because you didn’t know anything else. He was always trying to come up with something new, something fresh, that would give the golf industry something to talk about. We learned how to use materials found on site – a vein of sand, or boulders, or even a concrete retaining wall – and incorporate it into the golf course to create the lines and shadows that he was always looking for. “He always made us feel like we were a part of the process, because we were. No idea was a bad idea… ever. We would make mistakes, trial and error. But he always had our back no matter what. If Pete Dye liked you and you were out there for 70 or 80 hours a week working your ass off, you couldn’t do anything wrong because you were trying. That was the secret to working for him. Of course, Alice had to like you as much or you were dead in the water, so that was important too.” “When working with Pete, you were not given detailed plans to direct the concepts or construction of a golf course,” says Bill Coore. “The design and construction processes were more DYE APPRENTICES Tim Liddy, who began working for Dye in 1993, says the legendary designer “worked harder than anybody else”. Right, Dye on site at Harbour Town with Jack Nicklaus Photo: The Sea Pines Resort Photo: Tim Liddy
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