Des Moines Golf & Country Club history

DMGCC Greenkeepers, #1 John P. Westgreen <ul><li>John P. Westgreen was hired as the greenkeeper for DMGCC in 1899.

The “new” 9 holes had a “modern look” with fairways, trees, bunkers and a few traps. </li></ul><ul><li>On August 28, 1900 the first Iowa Golf Association Championship is held on the grounds of Des Moines Golf and Country Club. </li></ul>

At its new location, the Club became a founding member of the Trans-Mississippi Golf Association hosting the Trans-Miss tournament in 1909.

He informed the members that the club had secured a 20-year lease on land north of its existing site and would turn the original course property back over to the Polk family. It was also at this location that the Club invited the USGA to host the 1911 United States Amateur at a combination of the new Des Moines Golf and Waveland Golf Course.

Paul ("Pete") Dye, born December 29, 1925 in Urbana, Ohio to Paul and Elizabeth Dye, is a legend in the field of golf course design and construction throughout the expanding world of golf.

The Salisbury House & Gardens is an impressive property built in 1928 by Edith and Carl Weeks, the latter of whom was a cosmetics magnate.

Joe Brown, came on board in 1937 and began a 40-year career as head golf professional.

Overcoming SetbacksTragedy struck on April 14, 1946 when an attic fire raced out of control andwithin two hours, the clubhouse was destroyed.

In the meantime, a locker room was constructed inside the old club house basement and the club's social activities were relocated a few blocks away, In 1949, a $235,000 brick and glass clubhouse was constructed at the site of the destroyed clubhouse.

Alice and Pete were married in 1950 and Pete moved to Indianapolis where he became a star salesman for The Connecticut Mutual Life Insurance Company.

He also won the Indianapolis District Championship, participated in The Western Amateur and five USGA Amateurs, and played in the 1957 United States Open where he finished ahead of both Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus.

Westward HoIn 1958 members learned the Iowa Highway Commission was planning to build an interstate highway through the middle of the Club’s golf course.

In the mid 1960’s club leaders interviewed several top golf course architects. "Pete Dye came to the surface as an up-and-coming architect who had some great ideas.

A 1963 trip to Scotland profoundly impacted Pete’s subsequent designs.

A $2 million, three-level clubhouse opened in 1970.

One of the most important homes in the entire state of Iowa is Terrace Hill, the residence of Iowa governors since 1971.

On August 31, 1994 David Eger the USGA’s senior director of rules and competition, made an official visit to inspect the Club and its golf facilities.

The Salisbury House & Gardens underwent an extensive renovation in 2005 and since then has welcomed thousands of visitors each year.

Pete Dye and Director of Golf Scott Howe November, 2007

Pete was honored by the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2008 with the lifetime achievement award.

In 2009, Pete and his associate, Tim Liddy developed a master plan for both golf courses.