Perry O'Neal Dye 1952-2021

Course architect Perry Dye, builder of 80-plus courses and son of Pete Dye, dies at age 68 Perry Dye, the eldest son of Pete and Alice Dye, died Thursday in Denver at age 68.

The American Society of Golf Course Architects reported the news on Perry Dye, who began working on courses for his father at age 12. No cause of death was listed.

Perry formed his own course architecture firm, Dye Designs, in 1984. He was known as an early “green” builder, plotting courses with smaller footprints that were more environmentally sensitive. He built more than 80 courses in all, including more than 20 in Japan, and his course legacy stretches to 15 countries.

Among the courses he designed are Pound Ridge in New York, Auburn Hills in Kansas, Desert Pines in Las Vegas, West One’s Country Club in Japan and Lykia Links in Turkey. He also continued to work with his father on a number of courses.

He was a true, larger-than-life character, who could laugh and entertain with the best of them. Tough to prosper being in the shadow of Pete, his famous father, but he created his own memorable courses. R.I.P.

“This is a great loss for golf design, but right now we should all be sending our love and support to the Dye Family,” ASGCA President Forrest Richardson said. “Perry and I shared many good times, and I am so grateful to have spent time with him at the 2020 Golf Industry Show just before the COVID lockdowns began. As usual, he was full of life, smiling and telling stories. We will miss him.”

Perry became an ASGCA member in 1996 and served on the ASGCA board of governors. Also a member of the Golf Course Builders Association of America, in 2004 he received the inaugural award that bears his name – the Perry O. Dye Service 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.”

Perry’s mother, Alice, died in 2019, and his father, Pete, died less than a year later in 2020. He s survived by his brother, P.B. Dye, wife Ann, children and their spouses Lucy (Erik) Bowman nd Lilly (Ross) Harmon, and grandchildren Brooks and Margaret Harmon. - Travelin' Joe Passov - USA TOday Jul 9 2021

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Denver – Perry O'Neal Dye, 68, passed away peacefully surrounded by loved ones on July 8th in Denver, Colorado.

Perry was born September 21st, 1952, in Indianapolis, Indiana, the son of Alice and Pete (Paul) Dye.

He grew up in Indianapolis, attending the Orchard School and spending summers in Culver, Indiana on Lake Maxinkuckee. After attending the The Winchendon School in Winchendon, Massachusetts,

Perry moved to Denver to attend the University of Denver where he met the love of his life Ann (Hibbard) Dye who he married in 1974. After a brief stint in Real Estate, Perry decided to follow in his parent's footsteps and become a golf course designer.

Over the decades Perry has not only been an integral part of Pete and Alice Dye's design team, part of the inner circle and 'brain trust,' but he's also gone on to great acclaim with dozens of solo projects around the world. Starting in Colorado, where he's made his home for many years, Perry's earliest creations include TPC Plum Creek, Riverdale Dunes and Glenmoor Country Club, all located in the Denver suburbs. He spent his career working all over the world building dozens of renowned courses through the western United States, Europe, the Far East and Latin America.

With over 80 courses to his credit, Perry was truly dedicated to golf: he promoted the growth of the golf course industry by cooperating with and supporting industry and professional groups, civic organizations, and the general public. He has spoken at conferences held throughout the world on various topics affecting golf course design and construction. A past president and member of the Golf Course Builders Association of America, 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."

Perry gave so many a hand up in their lives and careers, helping them attend college and find jobs in the golf industry. He will be lovingly remembered for his adventurous spirit, unwavering kindness, dependability, big personality and easy-going disposition. He made a lasting impression on everyone he met and demonstrated compassion, integrity and an unwavering loyalty and generosity to those he held close. Perry lived his life to the fullest. He was known for throwing the best parties and always making weddings, birthdays and holidays for his friends and family the most memorable of celebrations. He was a supporting, loving husband, wonderful father and the ultimate "Pop-pop" to his grandchildren, whom he adored.

Perry enjoyed playing golf and was also an avid fisherman, first learning to bonefish in the Bahamas with his Grandmother Lucy. He also loved spending summers at his cottage in Culver, Indiana with his family, teaching his children and grandchildren how to play golf, waterski, sail, fish and to treasure the amazing Maxinkuckee sunsets.

Perry is survived by his wife Ann, children and their spouses Lucy (Erik) Bowman and Lilly (Ross) Harmon, grandchildren Brooks and Margaret Harmon and brother Paul Burke Dye (Jean).

As Perry would say "Keep it in the fairway." In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Golf Course Builders Association of America Foundation at 6040 South 58th Street Suite D Lincoln, NE 68516 or The International Circle of Friends, Inc., 12012 South Shore Blvd., Suite 208, Wellington, FL 33414

A celebration of life will be held in the early fall - details to come. - July 10, 2021 Indiapolis Star