TERRE HAUTE — After the West Baden Springs Hotel, located adjacent to French Lick had been restored to its ultimate splendor by The Cook Group, it was decided a championship golf course would be the next order of business.
The ambience of the Pete Dye Course at French Lick is underscored by the many eye-catching vistas that provide a number of opportunities to observe for many miles, the most scenic countryside that can be found anywhere.
With pristine fairways, greens and bunkers providing a colorful patchwork, the course provides onlookers with the opportunity to witness some of the best experiences Mother Nature can provide.
A bonus awaits players who opt for an early morning tee time. Fog often envelops the course at the same time the sun is rising. This combination of events produces the illusion of being at the top of the world and above the clouds which are being pierced by the crimson glow of the morning sun. This creates a most scenic panorama, which is nothing less than splendor to behold.
Renowned golf course architect, Pete Dye, was selected to design an 18-hole layout that would be one of the most difficult in the United States, but also would be a venue where players could walk the course should they wish.
When Dye was offered the tract of land which was earmarked for the course, he declined to become involved indicating there were too many trees not to mention a huge amount of rock and shale that would need to be removed. When asked how many trees he would dispose of, Dye answered, “All of them.” In addition, a Canadian Oil pipeline was buried under the land which could create a routing problem.
After working out the answers to his tracking problems on a napkin, Pete relented and accepted the challenge the new course would offer.
When representatives of the Cook Group, representing the West Baden Springs Hotel, met with Dye to finalize a contract, Dye announced that a “handshake” was all that was needed, and that was it. A handshake was the contract.
When asked what would happen if Dye, approaching his 80s, became ill and could not finish constructing the course, Pete replied that his wife, Mary Alice O’Neal Dye, would have no problem completing the project and bringing it to a conclusion on budget and on time.
During her competitive days, Mary Alice O’Neal Dye was an outstanding golfer and the winner of numerous championships. She has been Pete Dye’s partner as well as his wife, and he listens intently to her advice.
Three years after construction began, The Pete Dye Course at French Lick was a reality. It opened for play on April 24, 2009. Two million yards of earth had been moved.
After entering the course, a drive up the hill to the bag drop, pro shop and clubhouse will place you at the second highest point in the state of Indiana. With a sprawling 360 acres with which to work, Dye had laid out a course that would utilize not only the natural beauty of French Lick’s high country, but also feature the characteristics of a nature preserve. Some of the animals seen frequently include wild turkeys, deer, fox, snapping turtles, killdeer and turkey buzzards.
One hundred sixty-eight greenside and fairway bunkers interrupt the winding, bent grass fairways. Golfers who want the ultimate test of their golfing prowess may select the gold tees which measure 8102 yards from the tips with an opening par four of 519 yards and another at nine measuring 532 yards. A pair of par fives on the front nine list at 643 and 613 yards respectively, whereas the par threes at numbers four and eight stretch out to 251 and 213 yards making the course the longest in the U S. west of the Mississippi River. In order to make the course more playable for golfers of all abilities five sets of tee boxes are available with suggestions as to which sets are better utilized by giving players of all ability levels an opportunity to enjoy the course. Regardless of which tees are played, rough always awaits inaccurate shots and rough could be spelled with a capital “R” when you consider it is composed of heather, fescue and winter wheat. When escaping these pitfalls, an extra strong set of wrists is recommended.
Course ratings are as follows: 80 from the golds, 76.2 from the blacks and 73.3 from the blues. Also, 70.6 for the men and 76.9 for the ladies from the white markers and 65.4 for men and 70.5 for ladies from the red tees.
Slope ratings range from 148 down to 118 for men and 30 to 120 for men and women; so enjoyable golf experiences are always available to golfers regardless of their ability levels.
Course records at this point are shared by Craig Bowden, a player on the Nationwide Tour, and Adam Marshall, the professional at the Valley Links and Sports Center. Both have shot one under par 71s.
Pete Dye, while rarely indicating which of his courses are better than others, has hinted that his French Lick creation may be his best “inland” effort. Water comes into play only on numbers 15 and 16.
Although The Pete Dye Course at French Lick opened last April, Dye continues to work on his creation doing what he calls, “Fixing my mistakes”.
Some of his renovations required raising the surfaces of four greens one inch for drainage purposes. The number 12 hole, a par 4, was raised 10 feet so as to better position the run off and collection area to the right of the green.
So far, Dye has made more than 130 trips to French Lick to take care of details associated with the course that bears his name.
The National PGA Club Professional’s Championship is scheduled to utilize the course during the last week of June next year. A qualifier for that tournament has already been held at The Pete Dye Course at French Lick with the average professional recording a score of 83, and the tees were not placed all the way back.
The course utilizes the services of Head Professional, Jan Tellstrom, who was the professional at Smock Golf Course in Indianapolis for 33 years, and two assistants, Daren Trueblood and Kevin Johnson. Trueblood is a graduate of Methodist College where he played with a team that has long ruled the roost, so to speak when it comes to their many Division III NCAA Championships. In fact they are rated number one in their division at the present time.
Walkers are welcome at the course but caddies are mandatory. Caddies such as Matt Hardy are definitely of great help in determining which side of the fairway to play in order to provide the best area to direct your approach. While the greens do not present huge problems, there are many subtle breaks that can be troublesome without someone who can point out the exact spot where a putt should be played.
Pete Dye has designed or redesigned a plethora of golf courses throughout the U. S. Some of his heralded works include Crooked Stick, Harbour Town Links, Ocean Course at Kiawah Island, TPC at Sawgrass, Whistling Straits, Kampton Course at Purdue, Eagle Creek at Indianapolis, Monticello C. C., Harbour Trees G. C., Plum Creek, The Fort, Brickyard Crossing and Woodland C. C. Green fees for The Pete Dye Course at French Lick are $350.
Initially, players getting their first look at Dye’s rendition may get the feeling of a links course, but with water is in play on only two holes, the course would never qualify as a “links”.
There are only 40 feet of elevation changes on the course although a player gets the impression that it seems to be considerably more. By the time golfers reach the fifteenth hole, they are greeted with a panoramic view that stretches down to French Lick and beyond. This produces a fascinating and elegant setting that only nature can provide. The clubhouse, named “The Mansion” also provides observation points for some outstanding views.
A twenty-one-gun salute goes to Cloverdale’s Chad Collins for his well-deserved win in the Miccosukee Championship in Miami last Sunday. The winner’s purse of $112,500 has vaulted Chad to number two on the Nationwide money list for the year.
Chad’s many friends and boosters will enjoy watching his progress on the PGA Tour next season, a promotion he certainly deserves.
TIP OF THE WEEK: Patience is a trait that often makes the difference when comparing one player to another. I’ll bet Chad Collins has an abundance of it, and his record this season is indicative of the “cool” he displays under pressure.
Keep your head down and your shoestrings tied. We’ll be back.
Rub of the Green
RUB OF THE GREEN: French Lick course a treasure
- Rub of the Green
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RUB OF THE GREEN: Young players should match course to skills
One of the biggest mistakes a beginning golfer can make is to keep playing a golf course that is far too difficult for the ability demonstrated by that player.
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RUB OF THE GREEN: On the lanes or links, Davis is competitive
Darrell Davis carries a 240 bowling average which obviously puts him in some strong company on the alleys, but he feels that golf is a much more difficult sport than keggling.
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RUB OF THE GREEN: Loquacious golfers can provide priceless quotes
Golfers always seem to have a great deal to say, but determining who said what and who said it first can be a problem.
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RUB OF THE GREEN: Rick Fernandes can look back on a great golf career
What does an outstanding golfer have left when an accident has robbed him of the consummate skills he once possessed? The answer most assuredly would be one word, “Memories.”
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RUB OF THE GREEN: Feherty’s humor good for golf
David Feherty is an extremely funny man. If you have read his book written a few years ago, you might have guessed what to expect from him. The book, entitled “Somewhere in Ireland a Village is Missing an Idiot,” set the stage for his far out brand of humor, most of which is directed at himself.
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RUB OF THE GREEN: It's all in your head
A pair of divot diggers had been discussing their favorite sport when one could be heard saying, “You know, I think this game is 90 percent mental.” After a short pause his friend replied, “Well, I think you’re about 10 percent short in your estimation.”
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Golf: ‘The Game You Love to Hate’
Golf has been called “The Game You Love to Hate.” In addition, love-hate relationships have been around since the beginning of time.
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RUB OF THE GREEN: Golf is only sport that offers both hilarity, pathos
It’s been stated more than once that “golf is a microcosm for life itself.”
This writer would heartily agree. No sport or game can offer combinations of happiness and sadness, hilarity and pathos as evidenced by an activity called “cow pasture pool” by some of its practitioners. -
RUB OF THE GREEN: Even golfers say there is drug problem on Tour
Are professional golfers using performance-enhancing drugs? This writer wouldn’t have the foggiest, but if you asked Gary Player, one of the game’s greatest, the answer would be a resounding, “Yes.”
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RUB OF THE GREEN: Not all golfers display their trophies
Back in the “old days,” let’s say the 1940s, most of the time when you won something in a golf tournament your prize came in the form of a trophy. That was it, just a dust catcher. Later, merchandise prizes were added.
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RUB OF THE GREEN: Golf full of colorful characters
Every sport has its own cast of characters and golf is definitely no exception. Whether it is diving head first into a greenside bunker or tying an unreliable putter to a car’s bumper and dragging it down the road, golfers can do some strange things.
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RUB OF THE GREEN: Winter made golf impossible this year
Old Man Winter along with Mother Nature must have something against area golfers. They have joined forces to sabotage a sport called winter golf, an activity many Wabash Valley players have enjoyed in years gone by.
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RUB OF THE GREEN: Golf instruction a strenuous art
Few who have ever tried their hands at playing the game of golf would describe the sport as “easy”. In fact, just the opposite would be the case.
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BOB ARNETT: No matter what your level, watch out for pressure
What is the affliction that can affect most any golfer from those who can’t break an egg to skilled golfers who can break 70?
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RUB OF THE GREEN: THGA tournaments include variety, long history
In days gone by, the Terre Haute Golf Association has always offered more than just a 72-hole stroke play tournament.
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RUB OF THE GREEN: PGA playoff system still needs work
Is anyone fed up with the convoluted Fed Ex playoffs? The PGA has been tweaking its so-called Fed Ex playoff system for years, and they never seem to get it right.
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Rub of the Green: Golf can be roller coaster for young pros
Dustin Johnson may be best remembered for his appearances in the major tournaments in 2010, but not because he won. He didn’t win. But he came awfully close.
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Rub of the Green: One size does NOT fit all when it comes to golfing ability
Literally hundreds of books have been written on the subject of golf instruction, and we can be certain they all agree on one fundamental, always keep your head stationary throughout the swing.
Right? Nope, wrong as it could be! How’s that, you say? As examples both David Duval and Annika Sorenstam at one time were rated the world’s No. 1 professional golfers, respectively, and both swiveled their heads well before their clubheads reached the impact zone. In fact, Duval is one of a select few who has a 59 to his credit on the PGA Tour. -
Rub of the Green: Gerstmeyer Tech’s reknown Les Brown made his mark in plethora of sports
Les Brown never had a middle name, not even a middle initial. What he did have was an abundance of athletic ability that he utilized to earn letters in five different sports during his senior year at Gerstmeyer Technical High School.
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Rub of the Green: An inspiring walk of 1,000 miles
Watching the young man on the TV screen move from place to place was like watching the human body battle itself. It seemed as though his arms and legs each wanted to go in separate directions, as he flailed about with only a cane to steady himself.
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Rub of the Green: From fundraiser to reunited, game of golf wears many different ‘hats’
The game of golf can take on many different characteristics, depending on the objectives of those sponsoring the events. Golf may be played as a tribute or a memorial to the deceased. It may be a time of camaraderie that unites old friends.
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RUB OF THE GREEN: Excursions are a tradition for many Terre Haute golfers
Many divot diggers enjoy excursions to play golf courses that offer new and different challenges. Terre Haute can certainly testify to the truth of that with some groups having hit the road for many decades.
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Rub of the Green: Was 1960 really the ‘Greatest Year in Golf’?
Listening to Willie Nelson warble the lyrics, “Ain’t it funny how time slips away?” reminds this writer that those words are incorrect on two counts. One, it is not funny to get old. The late Bob Bundy often stated, “Old age is not for sissies.” And two, time doesn’t just slip away, it tends to streak on at a full gallop. At least, that’s the felling you get when you qualify for the Methuselah Flight of your club championship.
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Rub of the Green: Basketball coaching legend Wooden could hold his own on golf course
The name John Wooden doesn’t just “ring a bell” with Indiana basketball aficionados; it resounds like a canon shot. No doubt about it, John Wooden is someone special, and that is a gross understatement.
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RUB OF THE GREEN: Can Tiger Woods successfully make over his me-first image?
“Pain, despair and agony on me” are the words of a comical song made popular on an old TV program titled “Hee-Haw.” The refrain might have been heard again if you had occasion to drive by the Tiger Woods residence in the gated community of Isleworth, Fla., as the 2009 Thanksgiving holiday wound down, but this time no one was laughing.
- Rub of the Green: Course architect Pete Dye has had lasting impression on game It would seem that the more you learn about Pete Dye, the golf course architect, the more there is to admire about the man. It was decades ago when Dye determined that the insurance business was not for him, and he decided to begin designing golf courses. Even Pete, himself, in all likelihood, couldn’t have known the impact he was going to make on the golf world.
- RUB OF THE GREEN: French Lick course a treasure With pristine fairways, greens and bunkers providing a colorful patchwork, the course provides onlookers with the opportunity to witness some of the best experiences Mother Nature can provide.
- RUB OF THE GREEN: Strange stories connected to golf
- Rub of the Green: Holmes held ‘corner on the market’ of club championships When it comes to winning club championships it would appear that amiable Ron Holmes has held a “corner on the market” while winning a total of 28 of these titles throughout his 50 years as an amateur golfer.
- Rub of the Green: Woods vs. Yang at PGA proves anything can happen Tiger Woods wants to win major golf championships, and he wants to win them in the worst way. With 14 of them already in his resume, it looked obvious that the 2009 PGA Championship would be No. 15, especially since Tiger, No. 1 in the world, had never lost a major holding the lead going into the final round. But then, as most golfers know, cow pasture pool can be a crazy, weird and wild game.
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