Pete Dye design closed, soon to be NLE

[Keith Williams]

I guess this is a little late for anybody wishing to get out on the course one last time, but Pete Dye's Eagle Pines golf course at Disney World was closed for good a couple of days ago.

The course, in its original version, was another of Pete's efforts at creating a course with very little traditional rough (see original TPC and Dye course at PGA reserve).  Instead it had wide fairways that transitioned to lots of pine straw beds and sandy waste areas.  Apparently these were a maintenance burden and after a couple of years the course took on a more typical presentation.

One of the best features of the course, at least from my perspective, was the tremendous variety throughout the 18 holes.  The par 4 distribution was:  296, 330, 377, 380, 383, 389, 414, 444, 458, 463 - plenty of long and short holes, with similar variety on the par 3's and par 5's.  Totalling under 6800 yards, the course provided challenge without overwhelming the player.

Apparently, Eagle Pines sister course, Tom Fazio's Osprey Ridge, will remain open until 2010.  The entire property for both golf courses is being redeveloped into a Four Season's luxury resort that will have one (new) golf course on-site.

Keith.

[Craig Van Egmond]

That's a shame, not that Eagle Pines was a great course, but I hate to see it going away to build a hotel.  I played it a couple of times, it was a good resort oriented course.

[Jim Colton]

I guess this is a little late for anybody wishing to get out on the course one last time, but Pete Dye's Eagle Pines golf course at Disney World was closed for good a couple of days ago.

The course, in its original version, was another of Pete's efforts at creating a course with very little traditional rough (see original TPC and Dye course at PGA reserve).  Instead it had wide fairways that transitioned to lots of pine straw beds and sandy waste areas.  Apparently these were a maintenance burden and after a couple of years the course took on a more typical presentation.

One of the best features of the course, at least from my perspective, was the tremendous variety throughout the 18 holes.  The par 4 distribution was:  296, 330, 377, 380, 383, 389, 414, 444, 458, 463 - plenty of long and short holes, with similar variety on the par 3's and par 5's.  Totalling under 6800 yards, the course provided challenge without overwhelming the player.

Apparently, Eagle Pines sister course, Tom Fazio's Osprey Ridge, will remain open until 2010.  The entire property for both golf courses is being redeveloped into a Four Season's luxury resort that will have one (new) golf course on-site.

Keith.

Wow, that is a shame.  Eagle Pines is the site of my only subpar golf round.  I'm surprised to hear that both courses will eventually be gone.

[Forrest Richardson]

Wow! That makes me feel quite old. I first met Pete at this project. My role was to assist Disney with themes, landscape architecture and signage. It was a tremendous project frought with a tug-of-war between Fazio and Dye — Dye got paid $1 more than fazio, that was eactly how the contract read.

Our giant spun aluminum tee sculptures remain our in front of the clubhouse — at least they did until recently. Hopefully wisdom will prevail and some of the good there will remain intact.

[Jay Flemma]

Keith, your analysis about the lack of rough at TPC and Dye Course at PGA Golf Club (also called the reserve, also called PGA Village) is spot on.  When I interviewed Dye, he said that by keeping the rough minimal it really sped up play and made the course easier for amateurs.  He said he gets around the dye course in 3:15 on a good day and I almost never take longer than 3:40 to play it.  Two a days on the Dye course in early january/late december are a favorite of mine!  The watch playoff football. Now that's a vacation!

[BCrosby]

It was a tremendous project frought with a tug-of-war between Fazio and Dye — Dye got paid $1 more than fazio, that was eactly how the contract read.

Amazing. But maybe I'm naive.