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Pete and Alice Dye are in the process of designing and creating their first-ever mini-golf experience, which will replicate some of Pete’s most famous course and hole designs in the world. As the story goes… golf meant love at first sight for legends Pete and Alice Dye – love for the sport and love for each other. That love has evolved over the years into the creation of world famous courses and the need to share their passion with the next generation of potential golfers.
It will all happen within a new family-friendly attraction called Riley Children’s Health Sports Legends Experience® at The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis (the largest children’s museum in the world). The special area within the sports experience will be known as the Pete and Alice Dye Golf Experience presented by Henry and Christine Camferdam and will become part of the Pete Dye Golf Trail and a First Tee affiliate.
“It’s going to be something amazing,” said Pete Dye. “At a young age, children will get the feel of hitting a ball as they learn to play the game.” Alice added, “It’s important because golf has given us exercise; but most of all, it’s given us friends and a sense of accomplishment. That’s what we want these kids to feel.”
Visitors will have the opportunity to learn the basics of golf and experience small-scale designs of classic Pete Dye courses. Using specially designed SNAG equipment (Start New At Golf), children and adults will have an opportunity to play 9 or 18 holes and practice putting and driving in special practice areas. A separate Toddler Golf Experience will give little ones the opportunity to enjoy the sport with oversized balls, clubs, and holes.
“Our goal is to create a world-class family learning experience that is immersive and can engage, educate and inspire generations of children and their families to participate in health, fitness and activities through sports as they are inspired by some of the greatest of all time,” said Dr. Jeffrey H. Patchen, President & CEO, The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis.
Those who know the Dye family are well aware of their life-long desire to make golf more accessible to all demographics. As Alice is quick to point out, there’s nothing else like this new experience, “The Children’s Museum will be the first course to have some holes that are wheelchair accessible and age adjustable for all families, for all children. There are also some flat holes that can be adjusted to the ability of the child that’s playing.”
The brilliant family of master golf course architects continues to add new destinations and has diversified the Pete Dye Golf Trail even more to now include the world’s largest children’s museum. At the same time, the intentional ties to First Tee of Indiana will help impact the lives of young people by providing even more programs. “Our goal is to promote character development and life-enhancing values through the game of golf,” said Mike David, Executive Director, Indiana Golf Office. “This unique experience will expose visitors who travel from around the country to those life lessons learned by reinforcing values like integrity, respect, and perseverance.”
The Pete and Alice Dye Golf Experience presented by Henry and Christine Camferdam within Riley Children’s Health Sports Legends Experience at The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis will open in spring of 2018. “It could change the whole world (of golf) as it makes the game accessible to more people,” said Alice Dye. “It’s about promoting family togetherness in a sport that families can play together.”
About The Children's Museum of Indianapolis
The Children's Museum of Indianapolis is a nonprofit institution committed to creating extraordinary learning experiences across the arts, sciences, and humanities that have the power to transform the lives of children and families. For more information about The Children's Museum, visit www.childrensmuseum.org, follow us on Twitter @TCMIndy, Facebook.com/childrensmuseum and YouTube.com/IndyTCM.
About Riley Children’s at Indiana University Health
Riley Children’s Health is Indiana’s only full service statewide pediatric health system. Riley Children’s Health offers complete, comprehensive pediatric care ranging from routine primary care checkups to the most complex acute care needs from highly skilled pediatric specialists. The system connects patients with 200 primary care and 400 specialty care physicians in 19 communities across the state of Indiana. Riley Physicians treat patients in their home communities, bringing top-notch care close to home. This statewide network is an extension of Riley Hospital for Children at Indiana University Health, one of the nation’s leading children’s hospitals.
About The Pete Dye Golf Trail
Indiana proudly lays claim to having more Pete Dye designed courses than any place in the world. It includes the scenic lakeside community of Culver and breathtaking French Lick Resort, the bustling college town of West Lafayette, thriving suburbs of Hamilton County and the distinctly urban experience available in Indianapolis with a course that weaves in and out of the world's most iconic race track. The trail brings together a combination of challenging golf experiences and unique destinations.
About First Tee of Indiana
The First Tee is an international youth development organization introducing the game of golf and its inherent values to young people. Through after school and in school programs, we help shape the lives of young people from all walks of life by reinforcing values like integrity, respect and perseverance through the game of golf. And it’s making a difference. Our research-proven programs are having a positive impact on participants, their families and their communities.
