The Pete Dye Course at French Lick Resort Officially Opens

In this tough economy, it is hard to believe that new upscale resort golf courses are being built but the new Pete Dye golf course is officially open at French Lick Resort in Southern Indiana.

"We are very excited about the opening of the new Pete Dye course here at French Lick Resort. The course is arguably one of the most exciting inland designs that Pete Dye has ever created with panoramic views in all directions," said Dave Harner, Director of Golf at French Lick Resort.

"Pete spent a great deal of time on site creating a visually stunning and challenging layout that will test the skills of not only the greatest golfers in the game, but also players of all levels. He did a wonderful job in laying out a variety of tee markers and angles that will make it playable for everyone."

I was blessed with the opportunity to see the Dye Course in its initial ground-moving phase and to view and play nine hole there this past fall and I am confident that this course is one of Dye's best inland courses.

I have played all of his courses at Blackwolf Run and Whistling Straits and I do feel that the Dye Course is as scenic and challenging as those fantastic facilities.

The course was carefully carved on a dramatic hilltop offering a variety of elevation changes, rugged and dramatic terrain, narrow fairways and ever changing bunkers, along with spectacular views from every hole that stretch for over 40 miles.

Acknowledging the advances in modern equipment, golf balls and player fitness, Dye has designed a golf course that stretches over 8,100 yards from the professional tees. However, this new creation welcomes all levels of players. With five sets of tees, yardages begin at 5,100 yards from the forward tees. Most players will probably play from 6,100 to 6,600 yards.

This new course is already gaining recognition. In 2010, the PGA of America will play its PGA Professional National Championship on the new Pete Dye course. This is expected to be the first of several high profile professional events to be hosted here.

The new Dye course showcases many distinct design features, including the newly designed volcano bunkers, as well as stretches of holes on each nine that are vintage Dye. The front nine builds excitement from hole to hole and gets more visually dramatic as the outward nine finishes back up toward the clubhouse with one of the best views on the course.

The back nine offers the most dramatic stretch of holes from Nos. 11-14. This culminates with one of the course's signature holes, No. 14. Stretching nearly 600 yards from the back tees, this par five, with a split fairway, escalates from tee to green over a massive grass hollow that will intimidate even the elite players.

Complementing the new Pete Dye course at French Lick Resort is the historic Donald Ross course, which has just undergone a $4.6 million restoration project that has brought the course back to Ross's original plans.

"We are very excited about showcasing not only this new modern Pete Dye masterpiece, but also our newly restored and historic Donald Ross course, making this truly one of America's must see golf destinations," said Harner.

French Lick Resort is now the only resort in the world that combines the classic history of Donald Ross and the modern day design of the legendary Pete Dye. This combination is a spectacular opportunity for golfers to experience two of the best designers who ever shaped beautiful landscapes into golf courses.