L-R: Pete Dye, Alice Dye, Pam Swensen
Earlier this month, I was invited to Indianapolis to spend an evening with members from the Central Indiana Chapter of the EWGA ( and a few members from the Cincinnati Chapter who made the 2 hour drive to be with us!) at the site of their Thursday evening league. The venue just so happens to be The Legends Golf Club in Franklin, IN which is owned by Ted Bishop and his family. Ted not only runs The Legends, he also holds the prestigious position of being the Vice President of the PGA of America. He was our gracious host for the evening.
What a night! We had two very special guests join us at this event: the first couple of golf, Alice and Pete Dye. What a wonderful pair. Both of them have been involved in golf most of their lives. Alice is known for her passion in promoting forward tees for women and comes by her title of “First Lady of Golf” honestly given all of her accomplishments both on and off the course. She’s a leader, a champion of women’s golf and an architect. She’s won 50 Amateur Championships, including 9 State Championships in Indiana, 3 State Championships in Florida, the Women’s North and South, the Eastern and was a member of the 1970 Curtis Cup Team. As a senior, Alice won two USGA Senior and Two Canadian Senior tournaments as well as five Women’s Western Senior Tournaments. She also won a gold medal in golf at the senior Olympics. Earlier in the week, Alice, 84, competed in the Championship flight of the City of Indianapolis’ Women’s Open and won her match on the first day. She won this tournament for the first time 67 years ago!
Both she and Pete regaled us with numerous stories about their life and golf course design. Her passion for the game is infectious and her crusade to expand the accessibility to the game for women is unparalleled. She shared her story about meeting Nancy Oliver, EWGA’s founder 20 years ago and being there on the first EWGA Advisory Board when the EWGA got started. She, like our founder, was a trailblazer! Alice was the first woman President of the American Society of Golf Course Architects. She met her husband Pete following WW II and from then on collaborated on the design of many of America’s premier golf courses.
She treated everyone to a signed copy of her book “ From Birdies to Bunkers” which shares tips, insights and techniques on experiences in golf and life. It was a night to be remembered. For the EWGA members and guests that were there, they witnessed a piece of golf history that was truly magical. And who says that all golf experiences need to be on the course!
To view pictures and video of this special event, please visit my blog posted in the EWGA Member Clubhouse by following this link http://www.myewga.com/MYEWGA/MYEWGA/Resources/Blogs/BlogViewer/Default.aspx?BlogKey=b4db2587-c50a-4bd9-835b-ea24535a6b33.
