When I was younger, I had strange experiences when I would have time to contemplate certain ideas and notions.\u00a0 In particular, when I attempted to comprehend the vastness of infinity,\u00a0I would sometimes be overcome by a gag reflex, as if the magnitude of such an idea would cause my mind to \u201cshort-circuit.\u201d\u00a0 In retrospect, I realized this was one of my earliest examples of being \u201cawed.\u201d<\/p>\n
As Eddie Izzard has pointed out in his comedy routine, our culture has diluted the meaning of the word \u201cawesome.\u201d\u00a0 We use it to describe everyday items and commonplace occurrences, forgetting the magnitude of such an adjective.\u00a0 Today is a chance to reclaim the word in its fullest meaning.<\/p>\n
Webster\u2019s describes awesome as causing \u201can overwhelming feeling of reverence, admiration, fear, etc., produced by that which is grand, sublime, extremely powerful, or the like.\u201d<\/p>\n
Between the 12th<\/sup> green and 13th<\/sup> tee of the Pete Dye Golf Club, there stands a bell with the following inscription:<\/p>\n \u201cRING THE BELL FOR MY DAD, PAUL F. DYE, WHO LOVED HIS FAMILY AND EVERYTHING ABOUT THE GAME OF GOLF \u2013 Pete Dye\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n As I was nestled in the peaceful solitude of the West Virginia hills, this salutatory ringing provided a moment to reflect on how much my recent BuffaloGolfer experiences had affected me.\u00a0 Recently, we were fortunate to play classic courses such as Leatherstocking, had spent several days basking in the culture of golf in Pinehurst, had been introduced to the wonder of Mike Strantz, and were now submerged in yet another Pete Dye creation.\u00a0 As we approached the 13th<\/sup> tee, I told Mo\u2019 Golf, \u201cThis year has been inspiring.\u00a0 My passion for golf had waned in the last year for some reason, but I feel invigorated when I experience places like this.\u201d<\/p>\n The key word in that last sentence was \u201cexperience.\u201d\u00a0 Pete Dye, like so many of the great architects before and after him, grasps a fundamental truth.\u00a0 Golf is more than a game to be \u201cplayed\u201d \u2013 rather, it is a pastime that should be \u201cexperienced\u201d on many levels.<\/p>\n And here we were, experiencing one of his finest creations.\u00a0 Upon further reflection of BuffaloGolfer\u2019s visit, I think it\u2019s safe to say that I am truly \u201cawed\u201d by Pete Dye, the architect, and this West Virginia Masterpiece that bears his name.<\/p>\n Pete Dye Golf Club<\/strong><\/p>\n Located in Clarksburg, West Virginia, the Pete Dye Golf Club is one of the elite National Golf Club \u201cretreats\u201d, attracting corporate and individual memberships from 25 states and 5 countries.\u00a0 Such clubs are created with the intention of being \u201cworld-class\u201d in every way, and with Pete Dye, they found the right man to lay the foundation for their endeavor.<\/p>\n Pete Dye has been referred to as the \u201cMichelangelo\u201d of golf course architecture, which, upon first reading, may seem hyperbolic.\u00a0 However, when one truly reflects on the creative process, the moniker gains credibility.\u00a0 And as an artist, Dye has distinguished himself using many canvasses, whether it be the swamps of Sawgrass or Harbour Town, the rivers and valleys of Blackwolf Run, or a flat Army airbase at Whistling Straits.\u00a0 The Pete Dye Golf Club was born from 500 acres of abandoned, coal-mined land, and the artist did not disappoint.<\/p>\n We at BuffaloGolfer have been privileged enough to experience a number of Pete Dye\u2019s designs, and the theme that has evolved is one of creativity and imagination.\u00a0 When I contemplate the variety of holes I have played and the thought process required to create them from a blank piece of land, that overwhelmed feeling from my youth reappears.<\/p>\n I try and comprehend the process necessary to visualize a routing for a given piece of land \u2013 one which maximizes the natural features unique to each property.\u00a0 I start to realize what a gift it is.<\/p>\n Like studying a painting, your first impression is of the image as a whole.\u00a0 But when you look closer, you can see each brush stroke, and appreciate the thousands of subtle decisions that go into creating the overall image.\u00a0 Similarly, after you have absorbed the overall feel for one of Pete Dye\u2019s holes, you look closer and realize all the subtle elements that contribute to your experience.<\/p>\n The slight rise in the land slightly obscures your view of the landing area, adding that challenging element of the unknown to your shot.\u00a0 A single tree that should not come into play, but still tricks you into altering your aim towards very real danger.\u00a0 The mounding and undulation of landing areas that force you to think your way through the tee-shot routine, searching for the optimal risk\/reward payoff.\u00a0\u00a0 The beautifully complex challenge of angled landing areas, that force you to move beyond the \u201cstick figure\u201d simplicity of \u201cbang it down the middle.\u201d\u00a0 The strategic placement of bunkers.\u00a0 The contouring of greens that rewards a well-thought approach, and eliminates \u201croutine two-putt\u201d from your vocabulary.<\/p>\n But whether you are contemplating the detailed brush strokes or simply enjoying the overall \u201cfeel\u201d of the end product, the Pete Dye Golf Club will overwhelm you.\u00a0 The simple beauty of the land is stunning, whether it be the waterfall by the 10th<\/sup> green, the strip-mined walls along the 8th<\/sup> fairway, Simpson Creek winding throughout the course, or simply the magnificent vistas as the course rises and falls during your experience.\u00a0 Or you may enjoy the unique \u201cman-made\u201d remnants of the land\u2019s coal-mining past, including coal-laden mine cars, the iron bridges, or the cart path through a once active mine shaft.<\/p>\n With every bit of analysis, you develop that \u201cadmiration and reverence\u201d referred to by Webster\u2019s.\u00a0 And let\u2019s not leave out \u201cfear\u201d \u2013 this is still Pete Dye-abolical, and for those of us scared by the occasional golf disasters hole, you should be wary, as certain poorly executed shots will be punished.<\/p>\n But don\u2019t get the impression that this is a simply a monster course that relentlessly beats on golfers, appealing only to masochists.\u00a0 A hallmark of Pete Dye\u2019s designs is the variety of holes you will experience.\u00a0 While there are several monster par fours ranging from 468 to 500 yards (Championship Tees), the course also features 5 par fours under 400 yards, placing a greater emphasis on shot placement than brute strength.\u00a0 One of these, the shorter 17th<\/sup> hole, features one of the most frightening greens you will experience.\u00a0 While some reviewers have criticized this green\u2019s difficulty, when you consider the short length and relative lack of trouble off the tee, it is a fair challenge.<\/p>\n Similarly, the array of par fives varies from the easily reachable 8th<\/sup> hole (508 yards downhill), to the \u201cnot unless you\u2019re Bubba Watson\u201d three-shot 11th<\/sup> hole (604 yards).<\/p>\n For those golfers looking for a \u201cworld-class\u201d golf experience, the Pete Dye Golf Club will exceed your expectations.\u00a0 The variety of hole designs, combined with the array of hole and tee combinations, guarantees there will always be a unique experience waiting to be discovered on your first, fifth or fiftieth visit.<\/p>\n The Rest of the Story<\/strong><\/p>\n However, the Golf Course does not encompass the totality of the \u201cretreat\u201d experience for this National Club.\u00a0 While the course is the foundation and core of the Club, no experience would be complete without the complement of service, hospitality and accommodations.<\/p>\n Upon arriving at the Golf Club, out-of-town members and guests can relax in one of several on-site lodging options, including the Black Diamond Lodge or one of the townhouses located on the property.\u00a0 Nestled within the woods of this magnificent piece of land, these accommodations provide views overlooking the course, Simpson Creek and the rolling West Virginia countryside, and slowly submerge the visitor into the complete retreat experience.<\/p>\n After a night\u2019s rest, the golfer may prepare for his challenge at the Club\u2019s practice facility, which, like everything else, is world-class.\u00a0 Set up more like a golf hole than an \u201copen field,\u201d the range helps you to visualize shots, rather than simply \u201cbang balls.\u201d\u00a0 If you have time, you can avail yourself of practice greenside and fairway bunkers, pitching and chipping areas, and putting greens, all of which are encompassed within this 35 acre facility.<\/p>\n