PETE & ALICE DYE

Learn more about their special life together in golf.
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THE DYE JUNIOR INVITATIONAL GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP AT KAMPEN-COSLER

Dan Ross, PGA Professional at the Birck Boilermaker Golf Complex, provides some insight about the Kampen-Cosler course...

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The Kampen-Cosler course resides on the north side of Cherry Lane and is cut in half by Lindberg Road. From the parking lot, the golfer gets a great feel for the difficulty of the course as the 18th green stands ominously by itself. In contrast, the 9th green quietly nestles up to Pete’s Cafe patio.

Dan’s advice for the Kampen-Cosler course: “When it comes to the greens, aiming for the center won’t always work as some of the greens are over 40 yards long. The best advice is to aim away from the green side bunkers as almost every green is surrounded by bunkers.” The versatility and diversity among each of the holes on the Kampen-Cosler course provide an excellent definition of the “Purdue Golf Experience.”

Kampen-Cosler is an excellent course in that all facets of a golfer’s game are thoroughly tested.

Kampen-Cosler offers a soft beginning to your round of golf. Standing at 392 yards, the first hole is an excellent taste of what is to come. It’s straight, but with Pete Dye’s hidden tricks! Bunkers, not readily visible from the tee-box, sneak up on drives that drift down the right side. Birdies are cherished on holes like #1 because Kampen-Cosler doesn’t offer many other opportunities through the rest of the course. Bogey here could set up a long round.

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As the round progresses, beware of several holes that stand out among the others: namely, the par-5s.The scorecard paints an intimidating picture of Kampen-Cosler’s par-5’s. With three holes that measure over 600 yards, any one of which could be deemed best.

Dan’s preference is #6. It plays into the wind most of the time, periodically making it tough to even reach the fairway from the Championship Tees. It can be a bit daunting with water to the right and bunkers along the water’s edge. If you go left, you’ll be in tall rough. You’re hitting from an elevated tee to a fairway that curves right around the Celery Bog so shot placement is critical.

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The par-3's require thoughtfully crafted shots into each green. Hole #17 is 210 yards from the back. It’s a great hole offering several tee options from multiple boxes. With water sitting not more than just a few feet from the green’s edge, each player must decide how much they are willing to risk at a pivotal point in the round. This hole can decide a tournament — and it has!

Which is the toughest hole on Kampen-Cosler?

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“We have a lot of holes to choose from for toughest,” reports Dan. “#18 is a 484-yard, par-4 where you’re generally hitting into the wind. You have an intimidating tee shot because trees surround the box creating somewhat of a chute-shot.” Down the fairway, there’s a large bunker to the left. You’re hitting to a large, elevated green, protected by bunkers and Out-of-Bounds to the left.

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What about the most difficult green?

This question is not easily answered because Pete Dye formulated each green with a combination of subtle strengths and weaknesses. Attention should be given to not only the pin position, but the best approach into each green.

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Reflecting on a number of choices for difficult greens, Dan has a healthy respect for the green on #4, the first par-5 on the front. “It feels like you’re hitting on top of a knob! You can roll off into a collection area or bunker,” says Dan.

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Finishing your round neatly on Kampen-Cosler is a task not to be underestimated. The finale gives each player a chance to validate their rounds through confirmation of strong play or salvaging a less-than-perfect day. According to Dan, “The home stretch is Kampen-Cosler’s claim to fame: This is one of the best finishes in golf!”

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#16 is a 600-yard par-5 that requires three meaningfully-placed shots. Only the big hitter who can place the ball where they need to can reach this green in two. Followed by the already discussed difficult #17 and #18.

Each picturesque hole is a testament to the seemingly limitless number of challenges any given round can present. You’ll earn it or burn it! However tough the course may play for any given person, one thing is for sure: nature and the Purdue Spirit are masterfully harmonized in this tribute to the great game of golf.​

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