David -
That idea was tied to another one, i.e. that TPC seems to me a uniquely American course, and maybe the FIRST uniquely American course ever built. And that, in turn, was based on a sense that no architect more completely or successfully transmuted the fundamental principles of golf course design (as manifested in the great British links course) through the medium of a modern American soul than did Pete Dye.
I mean American soul as a compliment, i.e. optimistic, bold and honest, respectful of traditions but not rule-bound, a bursting sense of showmanship and self-confidence, inventive and willing to re-invent, and a friend of the entrepreneur, of technology, and of the big-time.
I’m not saying that Mr. Dye was the first to study the great British courses and to manifest their principles in his work. I’m not saying that Mr. Dye was the first to construct a golf course out of nothing, or out of virtually nothing, using modern technology. I’m not saying that Mr. Dye was the first to embody the American spirit in his work, or that he was the first self-confident showman. I’m not saying that Mr. Dye was the first to be knowledgeable about and respectful of the great traditions while still staying free to re-interpret those traditions and even to turn them upside down. And I’m not saying that Mr. Dye was the first to turn his attention to the big-money world of professional golf, and to tailor his work specifically to challenging the best players in the world. But, it seems to me, Pete Dye was the first to be and do ALL OF THESE things ALL AT ONCE, and all together -- especially at TPC.
And in that sense, TPC seems to me to be the first uniquely AMERICAN course ever built. And in the permission and confidence that Mr. Dye thus granted all those young designers who followed him to be uniquely American in their own way, I’d call HIM the “Father of American Golf Course Architecture” and not CB Macdonald.
IMHO.
Peter