News

John Norton named PGA Professional at Pete Dye River Course of Virginia Tech

November 08, 2004

BLACKSBURG, Va.--John Norton, former director of golf at Grand Palms Golf Resort in Pembroke Pines, Fla., has been named head PGA professional/general manager at Pete Dye River Course of Virginia Tech effective Dec. 1.

Situated on the New River near Radford, Va., Pete Dye River Course of Virginia Tech is currently under renovation and will reopen in May 2005 as a Pete Dye Signature Course. The course is the home of the Virginia Tech golf team.

"My family and I are very excited about returning to the southwest Virginia area and becoming a part of the Virginia Tech community", said Norton. "I look forward to meeting the club membership and the local golf community and providing the services and amenities associated with a facility of this stature. Our goal is to create a tradition of excellence, world-class golf, and warm Southern hospitality that will become synonymous with Pete Dye River Course of Virginia Tech."

"We are extremely fortunate to have a professional with John's credentials and reputation join our staff." Said Jay Hardwick, director of golf operations and Virginia Tech head golf coach. "He is a highly respected member of the PGA and will be a tremendous addition to our team at The River Course."

Norton was the head golf professional at the Country Club of Miami from 1994 to 2003 where he served as director of instruction for the PGA TOUR from 1990 to 1994. A 1982 graduate of Marshall University, Norton was a first team High School All-American in West Virginia, and a two-time All-Southern Conference selection in college. Professionally, he won the 1986 Nebraska PGA Championship and was named Player of the Year in the Southern Chapter of the South Florida Section of the PGA in 2002. He received the Bill Strausbaugh Award in 2003, the Southern Chapter Merchandiser of the Year Award in both 2000 and 2002 and was selected as the Golf Professional of the Year in 2000. Norton, a Class "A" member of the PGA of America, served as president of the South Florida PGA Southern Chapter from 2001 to 2003.

John and his wife Bianca have three children.

Pete Dye Renovation of The River Course is Underway

October 4, 2004

FAIRLAWN, Va. - The major renovation and improvement project to The River Course of Virginia Tech is in full swing and the golf course closed on October 4, 2004 for completion of the final stage. Renowned golf course architect Pete Dye was commissioned to renovate the course, which will provide the Virginia Tech community, along with golfing enthusiasts throughout the mid-Atlantic region, as well as in Southwest Virginia, the opportunity to play one of the most beautiful and challenging golf courses in the nation.

In addition to this renovation, a turf care center and teaching/training center for the Virginia Tech Golf Team are under construction. The golf team center will be among the finest collegiate facilities in the nation and will support the recruitment and development of a winning golf program as the Hokies enter the ACC. Completion of this facility is anticipated in the late spring of 2005.

Pete Dye is noted as one of the finest golf course architects in the world, and was honored by the PGA of America with the 2004 Lifetime Achievement Award. The Indiana native's work includes the Ocean Course at Kiawah Island, host of the 1994 Ryder Cup, and Whistling Straits in Kohler, Wis., site of the 2004 PGA Championship. He has also designed The Tournament Players Club at Sawgrass, Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.; the PGA West Stadium Course in La Quinta, Calif.; Brickyard Crossing Golf Course in Indianapolis, Ind.; Crooked Stick Golf Club in Carmel, Ind.; Harbour Town Golf Links and The Colleton River Dye Course in Hilton Head, S.C. and the Honors Course in Chattanooga, Tenn.

The new design will be an outstanding layout with 18 new greens, 90 new tees, complete redirection of holes #4 and #5, and a signature hole like only Pete Dye can create. The course will have what Mr. Dye termed as, "The most perfect balance you can achieve in a golf course." The four par 5 holes, four par 3 holes, and the four longest par 4 holes will each go in four different directions which will allow the course to play the same in any wind condition. To ensure this goal these holes play in opposite directions on each side allowing balance between the two nines. To achieve even greater equality, seven of the 14 par 4 and par 5 holes play right to left, and the other seven play left to right.

The golf course has several features that are designed to make it more player-friendly. The green-to-tee distance has been greatly shortened thus reducing slow play, the mounding along the fairways has been shaped so that errant shots bounce toward the fairways instead of away from them, and most greens are open in the front permitting a shot to roll onto the green. Mr. Dye's trademark bunkering will be visible and no green will have more than a three per cent slope on the putting surface. Each hole will feature five sets of tees, making the golf course playable for everyone. While the tournament tees will stretch to 7780 yards, there are tees of average length for low handicappers, men, ladies, and seniors. Mr. Dye has perfected the art of multiple tee placements, which make each hole he designs a challenge for the best players in the world and yet thoroughly playable and enjoyable for the average golfer. He intends to accentuate the beauty of the New River and make the total golf experience one that will be remembered for years to come.

The entire golf course will remain closed during the final stage of the renovation, and is scheduled to reopen in May 2005 as a Pete Dye Signature Course. The clubhouse will remain open during this time, weather permitting, and a full line of merchandise and equipment is available. The driving range will also remain open, but these hours may be adjusted based on usage. Hours of operation: