Pete Dye helps reinvent the River Course at Kingsmill

 REPORT FROM OUR ARCHIVES

April 2004

Now that the great 2007 Michelob Ultra Open is history, you might be interested in knowing how the River Course Suzanne Pettersen mastered got that way.

   


Fireworks Photo Caption

 

 

 

 

 


 With a group of newspaper reporters and TV cameramen, we toured the River Course at Kingsmill, guided by Pete Dye - the man who designed the course 30 years ago. Pete Dye is considered one of the greatest golf architects in the world. You'll find his name on such classics as TPC at Sawgrass, Teeth of the Dog, Harbor Town, the Ocean Course at Kiawah Island and the River Course at Kingsmill.

Some Q&A's with Pete Dye as we walked and carted over the still muddy construction site.

Q. Why is the course being reconstructed? It looked beautiful to us before.

A. The golf courses and golfers have changed dramatically in the last thirty years. If you watch some of the old golf films with Hogan or Nelson, watch how slowly the ball moves on the green. Today golfers want a fast green and that's what  new grass hybrids provide. They're double the amount of plants per inch and can be mowed low to the ground. Golfers are hitting the ball farther. We've moved some of the golf cart paths so they're not in play nearly as much when the golfer tees off. About 90% of the changes you can't see. They're underground with new drainage and irrigation systems.

Q. What are some of the other changes?

A. We've enlarged some of the gallery areas so the spectators can have better views of the action. And moved some of the tees to provide a better angle for shots. What we are trying to do is make the course more of a challenge for professional players but still make it an enjoyable play for resort guests who may have higher handicaps. I love to walk around this course because of the views and ambiance.

Q. What are the toughest holes for professionals?

A. The 16th, 17th and 18th. The wind blows off the river, making them more of a challenge.

Q. And the easiest?

A. The first three holes. If you don't start something playing these, you could be in serious trouble.

Click here for descriptions of changes at each of the individual holes.

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