Golfadelphia

6,647 yards, 135 slope from the Blues

When I think of the holidays, I think of Pete Dye. For years, as I toiled in the cold of the East coast leading up to Christmas, I’d eventually head out west to see family. This included coming out to La Quinta Christmas night or the day after through the New Year. Our house was just off the Fifth tee of the Stadium course and we would play many of the assorted Dye courses one can find out there. That time of year in La Quinta came to be one of my favorite places to be on earth. The weather is always perfect and there’s a pleasant quietude the desert provides even though it’s high season. Those Dye courses were an early indoctrination into course design. The mounding, the extreme shaping, the liberal use of hazards; it was all much different from the golf I knew on the East coast. The unapologetic challenge was impressive as well. In fact, I remember the Fifth at the Stadium course, near the green. There’s an apron connecting the fairway to green. It looks like you can bump and run shots up there, but there’s subtle mounding pointing directly to the water on the right so if you try to run the ball up and don’t hit it with the proper measure of exactness, the ball will turn ninety degrees and plunge in the water right in front of you, laughing the entire time. Diabolical indeed. 

So began my foray into the world of Pete Dye golf. It’s certainly its own planet in the golf universe. As I kept playing his and Alice’s courses, I realized how creative I had to get in some situations and intimidated in others. As time wore on and I saw more and more courses, I began realizing there was plenty of rhyme and reason to the designs. They were anchored in solid principles of the game yet the individualism of character was always quite remarkable. Most of my thoughts on the Dyes are in my article, “A Dye-Gone Era.” https://golfadelphia.com/2019/09/28/a-dye-gone-era/ The individualism and craft of their designs resonates today as those who worked for the team are now the standard bearers of course architecture. 

It all started at Crooked Stick. Even with ten courses under their belt already, Pete called Crooked Stick his and Alice’s firstborn, as they were involved in just about every stage of the course’s development. In fact, this involvement was intimate and never-ending. They selected the site, formed the routing, raised the money to build the back nine, built that nine first, raised more money and so on.  While the Dyes wanted a bold new club that could challenge the better players, the course went far beyond that concept. As Pete wrote in, “Bury Me in a Pot Bunker,” “[T]he Scottish flavor was now in my blood, and I was determined to bring old-world ideas into the modern age.”  The idea of this course identity is still reverberating within course architecture today. A course worthy of challenging the game’s best players and hosting professional tournaments all while asserting a remarkably unique character that is engaging and playable for amateurs. This is in the 1960’s, by the way. Furthermore, Dye incorporated influence by Ross, Mackenzie and Fownes in the design. Indeed, the course identity sought after by the Dyes at Crooked Stick is the same or very similar to that of projects present day. 

One notable difference is that the course was indeed built as opposed to found or discovered. The land started off as fairly flat land where a lot of earthmoving was required. Pete experimented with a variety of shapes as he did this and that on a bulldozer for weeks. Then, almost every aspect of the course was laid out. The holes are deliberately separated by degree of difficulty to keep flow of the round in mind with a stiff closing sequence, which Dye intended would weigh on the golfer the entire round.  Wind direction was also taken into consideration and balanced accordingly in how the holes face, as well as how they bend. The Ross influence was in knowing Ross used drag pans to shape mounds and hollows at Pinehurst 2. To emulate this, Dye used smaller dozers that pulled an old broken down wheel disc, which yielded rugged and uneven mounds.  To emphasize this more ragged and rough look, Dye hired inexperienced dozer operators. A nod to the church pew bunkers of Oakmont are at the Eleventh while Dye attributes the influence of Mackenzie at holes 10, 13, 14, 14 and 16.  Dye also emulated Ross’ proclivity for wide landing areas off the tee with preferred position for approaches to tightly guarded greens, which requires strategic placement and makes such width deceptive.  And those greens. Dye admits they are among the best he has ever built and are the course’s calling card. Most are at ground level but with so much earth removed in front, they appear elevated and play on the golfer’s depth perception. Conversely, Dye used the land when he could, stating some of the most natural holes he ever built are here on the back from 13 – 17. The Dyes also used different colored grasses for contrast to give the course its own look, all in the name of asserting that individual character. The course opened in 1967. 

Dye never really felt the course was finished. Even members say under their breath might have tweaked it too much. Dye confessed, “. . . I continued to attempt to finish the course, oftentimes to the disgruntlement of the members, who got tired of hearing the beep, beep, beep of a bulldozer on their backswing.”  These changes included actually slowing the greens down and adding contours so that the course could be a worthy host for tournaments (some courses at present could take a page here). Dye was of the mindset that unless a few pros are bellyaching, he would always wonder whether he did enough to challenge them. So, in effect, he never stopped in that endeavor here. 

Crooked Stick hosted the 1982 U.S. Junior Amateur, the 1983 U.S. Senior Amateur, the 1989 U.S. Mid-Amateur, the 1993 U.S. Women’s Open, the 2007 U.S. Women’s Amateur, the 1991 PGA Championship, 1993 U.S. Women’s Open, 2005 Solheim Cup, 2009 U.S. Senior Open, the BMW Championship in 2012 and 2016, the 2020 Western Amateur and is slated to host the U.S. Senior Open yet again in 2028.  

The course is a strong representation of the transition course architecture was taking in the decades after the Golden Age era. While RTJ and to some extent, Dick Wilson, reconfigured course architecture and its role in professional tournaments, there was a brand of sorts that replaced individuality with signature familiarity. The Dyes intended to reassert the importance of individual character, all while demonstrating that such individuality could translate into a worthy tournament venue. Crooked Stick is historic in this sense, as well as showing that the design-build model has been around for decades and for many of the same reasons it is today. All of these aspects of course design so highly valued today; strategy, character, challenge and historical influence, were likewise considered and factored in the design here, in an era many prefer to dismiss altogether. Crooked Stick is a strong example why such a view of this era is a disservice to course architecture. 

I was excited to study what I consider an important piece of course design evolution as I was tried to get acquainted with the rental set on the driving range. Then, it was as if Pete Dye himself came up to me, shook my hand, and let me know we would be playing the round together. Yes there was some resemblance and he had an impeccable knowledge of the course as he offered cigars and told me dirty jokes throughout the round. This only added to the experience. A sense of familiarity grew stronger as I saw more and more of the holes, recognizing this feature or that at other courses of his and even though it was the middle of Summer, I swore the faint sound of sleigh bells followed me until I got in my car and left.

The First is a 321 yard par 4 (from the Blues). The front nine is a clockwise outer loop around the perimeter and we start off adjacent to the driving range range, heading north. The tee shot grows in width the further out one gets and both sides are tree lined. The fairway eventually ends into rough, which spans about 35 years until the green. Simple, retrained bunkering at both fairway and green. As for the green, it is easy to see why Dye called this one of his best sets ever. Lots of undulation, nooks and hollows to negotiate, all while they run nice and true. It should be noted the greens have not been touched since Dye worked on them and through the passage of time, it is time for a refresh. The course has turned to Tom Doak for such work, based on his relationship with Dye, which included working with Dye on site.  

The Second is a 384 yard par 4. A dog leg left with a large waste area on the left side. Those looking to play it safe can stay right off the tee but will then face a longer approach shot at an unfavorable angle. The more left one is, the more the green opens up. That was probably the reason I decided to end up in the left bunker. The bunkers around the green are again effective yet demure while the smaller green is conniving. 

This is a good time to mention my host was playing golf in a walking boot. He intended to play 36 that day and based on watching him play the first two holes, the walking boot was almost a non-factor. I was impressed. Even more impressive, however, was watching him throughout the round and how he played the course. His course knowledge was remarkable and the advice he was giving to me on my shots are things I would have never thought of. This shows there are layers here, which the course reveals slowly. Dye planned and calculated for this, even adjusting it over time. There’s no question it lies within the fabric of the course.

The Third is a 171 yard par 3. The first par 3 is clear that left is no good while the right side has available for misses and safe shots alike. One then must account for the bunkering on the left side of the green for the next shot, as the green is slightly raised and runs from back to front. 

The Fourth is a 408 yard par 4. The tee shot is a bit more complicated here as the bunkers constrict the fairway and one should really mind the pin position to figure out what side might be best to end up on. The green is set to the left of the fairway and considering the green contours and bunker placement, which is a lot more involved here than on prior holes, tee shot placement might be more important than it appears at first blush. Also take note that the front quadrant of the green will likely shun balls off of it entirely.  

The Fifth is a 591 yard par 5. The course is through with introductions, it is now time to get to business. Another fairway that begins to narrow with bunkering off the tee, which widens again as it bends to the left before narrowing again close to the green. The green moves from front to back, or right to left, depending on where you are in the fairway. Keeping this green movement in mind is important, as the golfer can use any ball flight into it, but will bet accomplish that by ensuring they have the best angle in according to the ball flight they want to use. The deep-set greenside bunkers await for anyone who doesn’t think and execute the approach appropriately. 

The Sixth is a 183 yard par 3. Unfortunately, I was in a bit of a swing funk that lasted several weeks last year, including this round. Driver was no problem but irons and wedges were my enemy. Crooked Stick is the wrong course to show up in such condition, using a rental set nonetheless. Of course, I seemed to find my stride during the last four holes, but definitely not at this one. Truth be told, however, I’m not sure how much better I would have fared if swing was intact. All carry over water to the green with no dispensation for shots wandering sideways. The golfer focuses on staying dry while forgetting about scoring altogether, the fatter part of the green from center to rear. The wooden posts at the rear left were interesting. I can only guess at the random bounces they impart to shots over in that area through the years.

The Seventh is a 372 yard par 4. Pete seems to be giving us a slight break. The fairway is elevated from its sides with the left no good at all and the right dropping into meadow like rough. There are a few bunkers along the right side to take note of. Closer to the green gets a little trickier, as the fairway dips down before ramping up again to the green and the bunker on the left is well below. The green moves towards it, which brings the right rough into play a little more and makes for pressure mounted recoveries.

The Eighth is a 395 yard par 4. I remember playing the ASU Karsten course when it was still around, a Dye creation from the late 1980’s. The water hazards were maddening, as Dye has the same concept as we encounter here. It is not enough to carry the water; the golfer must decide how much to take on and above all else, absolutely not some how hit or even suggest the ball move in the direction of the water. Alas, our tee shot. Figure out a line and stick with it, knowing that the approach will also prominently feature water in the equation. The further down the fairway and to some extent, the further right, the tee shot, the less water comes into play on the approach, unless you really decide to hook it or airmail the green. Those shorter and off to the left will likely need to carry the water again but honestly, I like the approach angle better from that left side. So really, shorter tee shots might be advantageous here while the longer hitters may be fine with a more harrowing shot in, so long as it is with a wedge. And yes, the green moves towards the water like it’s dying of thirst.

The Ninth is a 491 yard par 5.  The fairway almost immediately starts moving to the left and doesn’t stop until you’re in the parking lot. A creek moves along the left side, then crosses over the fairway. A large waste bunker is also on the left at the start of the fairway, moving with the creek on that side. The first fairway is also shaped like an hourglass, with width at its start and at its rear side before the creek. Indeed, there’s a lot going on at this hole, the strong suggestion being to stay to the right, ensuring it remains a par 5 for most of us. Railroad ties line the entire left side of the creek as it crosses the fairway and on the other side of the creek, the second fairway moves to the green. There’s a narrow opening lead to the green, crowded by bunkers of various sizes and depths. Even the green stays narrow until the very rear when it finally opens up just a smidge. Indeed, the front nine does not go gently into the night.

The front nine has a great flow to it and the greens were indeed a thrill and joy to play. The variety of shots and strategy at the par 4’s and 5’s was likewise impressive. I would rank them 9, 5, 8, 2, 4, 1, 7, 3, 6.

The back nine starts with the 370 yard par 4 Tenth. The back nine moves clockwise within the front nine and was the first nine built. As Dye stated, some of the most natural holes he built on his nine (13 – 17). As for the Tenth, the tee shot is a lot more challenging than the First, with water down the entire right side and the fairway bending towards it. The golfer cannot simply belt one out into the ether and be certain his ball will remain dry. I suppose he could so that, but his ball would be in unfavorable round mounds or a bunker. Instead, the tee shot must figure out how close to the water it can get or work some movement on the ball so it stays in the binding fairway. Of course, a shorter straight tee shot is fine here too but the trade off is a much longer approach. The green is pushed up from the fairway, deep and running back to front. A stiff par 4. 

The Eleventh is a 502 yard par 5. We head back in the direction we came, taking advantage of the gentle hillside. The tee shot disappears beyond it. Bunkers are on the left off the tee while the no to Oakmont’s church pew bunkers are further up on the right, moving up to the front of the green. Staying to the side of either gathering of bunkers keeps the golfer in the fairway but the green is separated from fairway by rough, requiring an aerial approach. Likewise, rough surrounds the bunkers on both left and right, which means one isn’t guaranteed to end up in sand if the ball heads in their general direction.   

The Twelfth is a 407 yard par 4. The hillside continues and with its shifts in directions, the switchback nature of the first few holes is varied and spaced enough to make sense. The fairway initially dog legs to the left, then right and in contrast to the hole prior, there are no fairway hazards other than rough to contend with. That is, the contours and fairway movement surely must be contended with, both of which conspire to create visual challenge to the green. The green has lots of movement, generally from right to left. A subdued hole that does its job through ground contours and mowing lines. 

The Thirteenth is a 152 yard par 3. The stretch of natural hole begins here. An elevated tee looking over Spring Mill Run, which snakes its way towards the green and crosses over at the green’s front. The green is set to the extreme left of the tee, almost behind the tree line on that side. The green is sinewy and doesn’t flank all that much to the right, so the golfer needs to shape the shot to the left, either around or over the tree line. Natural yet tough.  

The Fourteenth is a 421 yard par 4. The hole moves uphill and dog legs hard left off the tee. Spring Run cross over before the start of the fairway, then runs along the left side after the turn. The tee shot must clear the turn and trees for a clear approach while leggy bunkers on either side guard the area of the green, which has a lot of bulging internal movement.  

The Fifteenth is a 484 yard par 5. The fairway tilts right to left towards a bunker running lengthwise with the fairway. Rather narrow, the hole continues to proceed to the green, which has a lot going on. There’s a flanked out area to the right with a couple pot bunkers, then the green boomerangs around a bunker on the left. The pin positions dramatically change the entire dynamics of the hole and the green was both uniquely exciting and potentially soul crushing. A very cool green that makes the hole. 

The Sixteenth is a 407 yard par 4. We haven’t seen it since the front nine but the fairway constricts quite a bit where bunkers on either side converge, complicating the tee shot. The bunkers are also the point the fairway starts running downhill to the green with water on the right. The approach is walking the proverbial tightrope, trying to avoid the water and the bunker on the left. The green shifts directions depending on the quadrant with a strong front to back movement near the green’s center, ensuring that those who did well to simply negotiate the hazards and land on the green still have work to do.

The Seventeenth is a 180 yard par 3. Water is visible on the left while the fairway and green runs up the right side. Water is lurking out of view over on the right on the other side of the mounds. The green is oblong and deep, angled to the right against the water. Again, the golfer may rejoice at simply hitting the green but the course wants precision so those going for the pin and succeeding are rewarded while those with more general aspirations need to negotiate the additional wonders of the green. My favorite par 3 on the course.

The Eighteenth is a 408 yard par 4. Coming back to the clubhouse on the other side of the water we saw at the Tenth, the fairway bends to the right with the water to the green. The green is at grade with the fairway, setting itself apart from the other right off. A small pot bunker sits front and center of the green while there’s a couple small ones back left as well. The green runs towards the water on the right and it’s likely the small bunker comes into play in some fashion, further spicing up the golfer’s closing moments. 

The back nine relies on those natural elements within the hills, creeks and ponds, yet blends in with similar playing structure of the front. The yin and yang of the challenge as well as strategic considerations is evident and dances about nicely. I would rank them 15, 18, 11, 17, 14, 10, 12, 13, 16.

Generally, Crooked Stick’s distinct character makes for an intriguing course. It has always meant to be ambitious in challenging professionals and hosting tournaments, yet ensured it remained interesting and challenging for the amateur as well. It accomplishes this through a combination of naturalism and unabashed craftsmanship that is fine asserting components of fabrication, which does well enough looking in place in furtherance of that character. Dye sought to incorporate inspirations from the Golden Age and his journeys in the U.K., all of which are indeed throughout the course. All of this makes it interesting and versatile in the midst of an extremely well calculated design. The flow of the holes, the areas where a golfer must get strictly technical and the areas where there’s much more forgiveness are all meticulous so that one never gets too comfortable with one style for too long. It’s also a course that can be learned over the course of time, a critically pleasing element that ensures a timeless aspect, particular for the members. Crooked Stick has surely shown it has the gusto to remain timeless as a one of a kind achievement of Dye that will continue to be preserved as he intended. 

Clubhouse/Pro Shop: A large stone affair with various rooms of wood where photos of past tournaments and trophies adorn the walls and cabinets. 

Practice area: The range is just beyond the rear of the clubhouse, next to the First tee while the putting green is in front of the clubhouse.