MacCurrach Golf Construction will start work in March on a restoration of the Pete Dye-designed golf course at Delray Dunes Golf & Country Club in Boynton Beach, Florida.
Architect Scot Sherman has been working with the club since 2019, studying the course, collating input from members and developing a masterplan. He is aiming to bring back course features that have altered since it opened in 1969.
“We call this a sympathetic restoration since we’re not sure how else to refer to the work we are doing,” said Sherman, who has previously worked with Dye. “Some of what Pete built originally can be recreated, but some things just cannot due to changes made to the layout over 50 years. So, along with much input from members, study of the old course photos, and recounting some conversations with Mr Dye, we formulated a plan. The course will be a combination of these original features, some restored green contours and inspiration from Pete’s other designs built in the late 1960s and early 70s. Make no mistake, Pete is the architect of this course!”
In Joel Zuckerman’s book, ‘Pete Dye Golf Courses, Fifty Years of Visionary Design’, Dye is quoted as saying: “Both Alice and I have special feeling for Delray Dunes, the first course I ever designed in Florida. I’m always interested in what’s going on over there. I guess that’s why I’m always stopping by, offering suggestions, and making improvements. I want the course to be the best it can be, and it’s a labour of love for me to continue refining it.”
Sherman said: “As Delray Dunes welcomes more families, we will certainly add a focus on player friendly aspects of the layout. Alice always reminded all who would listen that courses needed to be playable by everyone. Rest assured, while the Dyes remembered all skill levels, they also built courses that were always interesting and could be set up to challenge even the best players – we will follow that lead and make sure their course meets this standard.”
Work will also include a new irrigation system, restoring sandy shell areas, bulkhead upgrades in a Dye style, infusion of ‘dune’ plantings as a nod to the nearby beaches and a revamp of practice areas.
The course is expected to reopen in autumn 2024.