The May 2012 issue of Golf Digest magazine ranks the best golf courses in 203 countries, which included many of Dye Designs’ courses around the world. This was the first, full worldwide ranking of courses and we’re honored to be such well recognized.

Perry Dye’s two newest courses, The Black Pearl at Pristine Bay Resort in Roatan, Honduras and Fuego Maya at La Reunion in Antigua, Guatemala, were both ranked as the #1 courses in their respective countries. Both set in beautiful settings that are very unique in their own ways, these two courses respect the deep cultural heritages of Central America while incorporating many famous Dye traits such as memorable signature holes, pot bunkers, links-style shaping, challenging holes and even an island green at The Black Pearl.

Dye Designs was also well recognized for their top courses in the Dominican Republic, taking 3 of the top 5 spots in that country for Teeth of the Dog, Dye Fore and The Links, all located at the world-class Casa de Campo resort. Teeth of the Dog, which was ranked the #1 courses in the D.R., has also been well-recognized by other golf publications as one of the top 50 courses in the world.

In Europe and the Middle East, Dye Designs held several of the top spots there as well. Perry Dye’s masterpiece set upon the coast of the Mediterranean Sea, Lykia Links, was ranked the #2 course in Turkey. Across the Mediterranean to the south, Caesarea Golf Club, a recent Pete Dye design, was recognized as the #1 course in Israel. Pete and Perry Dye’s only course in Switzerland, Domaine Impérial Golf Club, was rated as the best in that country. And, in Austria, Perry Dye’s Klagenfurt Seltenheim course took the #5 honors there.

Finally, Dye Designs’ work in Asia did not go unnoticed. Woo Jeong Hills Country Club in South Korea, designed by Pete and Perry Dye, was ranked as the #2 best course there.

“This project will have it all,” says Perry, co-architect, along with his father Pete. “The best feature is the cool ocean breeze, which doesn’t exist in town. The weather is gorgeous year round, and the ocean and some of the best surfing in Central America is down a hill just a few miles from the project. This is our 3^rd course in Central America in the past few years and should be just as good as Fuego Maya (Guatemala) and the Black Pearl (Honduras)!”

There have been several trips made to El Salvador. The team has been working on hand- clearing coffee trees. The wood from the trees will be recycled by the locals and used for heating, cooking and furniture.  Construction is expected to take two years and we look forward to opening in the fall of 2013.

Pictured above: Perry Dye and the construction team with a Jeep full of hand-cleared wood

Best Public Course Under $50

Gold Award: Riverdale Dunes, Brighton

Silver Award: Green Valley Ranch, Denver

Most Family Friendly

Gold Award- Broken Tee Golf Course, Englewood

Silver Award- Green Valley Ranch Golf Club, Denver

Best Practice Facility

Silver Award- Broken Tee Golf Course, Englewood

Most Female Friendly-Private

Silver Award- Glenmoor Country Club, Englewood

Most Family Friendly

Silver Award- Glenmoor Country Club, Englewood

It is always great to be recognized in one of our home states!

The wonderful pro at La Reunion, Ricardo Falla, is featured in this piece about Fuego Maya golf course outside of Antigua, Guatemala. For more information on La Reunion, please visit them at on their website.

Check out the video clip here!

“When countries go into funks like this, things slow down — fuel comes in slowly, parts for bulldozers come in slowly. It’s sometimes aggravating, but working on an island in a foreign country, you learn to expect it. We are focused on building the golf course and creating a vibrant community that helps to enhance tourism to Roatan.” Says Perry Dye who is heading up the project.

“The island is not as effected by what is occurring in Tegucigalpa. My guys think this thing will be over within a week. It’s not really a coup. [Zelaya] wanted to be elected again; he couldn’t be; Congress said no president can defy the constitution; we’re going to move you out. The military’s not in charge; people are not down there shooting each other. There is nothing to be afraid of in Roatan.”

The #11 island green at The Black Pearl has taken shape and was seeded with sprigs of Paspalum, a salt-tolerant grass that allows watering with brackish water- a major environmental plus for the project. This will also allow the course to focus on water management to be as low impact as possible.

The island boasts the world’s second largest Barrier reef, and is already a must-visit for avid divers. With the addition of a world class Pete and Perry Dye golf course and a five star resort, Roatan is sure to become the premier vacation destination in the Caribbean. For more information about the Black Pearl at Pristine Bay, please contact lucy@dyedesigns.com.

We played in and sponsored a Rally tournament in Colorado last week. What a pleasure to see so many women participate! The event was so much fun, and it is always such a privilege to work with the Susan G. Komen foundation.

Golf does so much for charity!!!

So, how did it come about?

Pete says: “On the 17th we dug and we dug and started to shape a big deep lake. There was really no way we could put in dry land. My wife Alice said “why don’t we bulkhead the middle and build an island green?” I said “we’ll probably get killed, but let’s do it.” So we piled up some dirt, capped it with sand and bulkheaded it to keep it together and built a green on top.”

The course was designed for this tournament and has always provided a challenge to the players. It is not overly long, but requires players to hit every shot with purpose.

“It not only challenges you physically, but it challenges you mentally,” Says Steve Stricker. “It’s like a major. There’s no letup on any hole. On every single shot, you have to be committed.”

Enjoy watching this weekend!!

On March 28th, at the official ribbon cutting ceremony, Vice President Dr. Rafael Espada, and the country’s director of tourism, Roberto Robles, recognized both Pete and Perry for their great contribution to development and tourism in Guatemala through the game of golf.

“The course looks amazing, and is in wonderful shape,” said Pete upon his arrival at Fuego Maya. “Both Perry and the superintendent have done a fantastic job. We are thrilled to see how many jobs we have brought to Antigua because of this project, and we can’t wait to work in Guatemala again.”

Flanked by four volcanoes, Fuego Maya golf course is a challenging layout with views that are unparalleled. On a clear day, golfers can see 50 miles to the Pacific Ocean. Fuego, the most prominent volcano, can often be seen smoking witch only adds the mystical effect of the area. Guatemala is a country rich with Mayan culture and heritage, which is reflected in the design and appointments of the fantastic 50,000 square foot clubhouse and 25-room hotel on the property. The staff is friendly and welcoming, always making La Reunion feel like a second home for visitors.

“Our main contribution to Guatemala is that of creating jobs, and in doing so, our focus is on training and giving support to the personnel hired with the view to developing a highly qualified staff to service discriminating customers from around the world,” Roberto Roesch, developer said. “We are also fostering a sense of social responsibility, and La Reunion is playing a very important role in contributing to improve the life of the local population.”

For more information please visit www.lareunion.com.gt or www.dyedesigns.com

Pound Ridge Golf Club, an 18-hole daily fee public golf course that plays to a par 72 and measures 7,171 yards from the back tees, is a spellbinding layout that winds its way through hardwood forest and opens to rolling meadows. The dramatic rock outcroppings are truly unique and a stirring visual feature of the design. Fourteen thousand feet of rock walls surround trees, wetlands and water hazards. The course’s five sets of tees are classified by handicap ability, allowing players of all caliber to best enjoy the strategic layout and wide variety of shot-making situations. A generous practice area is also available to golfers. The Club plans on building an attractive modern clubhouse in the near future.

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