The sun was still shining on the few players finishing their Friday rounds at Dye’s Walk Country Club on a perfect late summer evening.
But the real buzz on Aug. 18 was indoors, inside the course’s newest addition. There, members were taking their swings on one of three cutting-edge golf simulators, competing in a virtual closest-to-the-hole contest on the picturesque 16th hole at Augusta National Golf Club. Everyone wanted their turn to try the new equipment.
“We’re trying to have something for everyone — not just the old-school golfers, but the younger kids, families. Something like this, keeps us relevant through the winter and gives everyone something to do,” said Nick Baxter, a board member at Dye’s Walk.
The simulators, and the annex building that houses the machines, are part of a nearly $2 million investment aimed at maintaining Dye’s Walk as a “premier” private golf club on the southside of Indianapolis. Though the project included a course refresh with tee-box leveling and new bunkers, the centerpiece was the new clubhouse annex.
The 4,600 square-foot building includes locker rooms, a larger pro shop and a second-story loft with three simulators and a putting green.
“The main thing is the continued investment in our community — the fact that we’re creating a legacy that will last for years to come,” said Jacque Haynes, president of Dye’s Walk board of directors. “We’re taking care of (that legacy), and elevating it: elevating the game, the amenities, the services, the experience.”
Established in 1961, Dye’s Walk was the first course famed course designer Pete Dye developed. Real estate developers Henry and Bill Nordsieck wanted to turn farmland at the corner of Olive Branch Road and State Road 135 into a planned community with a golf course. To design the golf course, they reached out to Dye and his wife, Alice, an Indiana amateur golf champion.
The course, known as El Dorado Country Club, was originally developed with nine holes, before expanding to 18 later on in the early 1970s. The name changed to Dye’s Walk in 2007.
Dye’s Walk is the only member-owned country club in Johnson County and currently boasts about 375 golf members as well as offering social memberships for those who want to enjoy dining in the clubhouse, swimming in its pool and socializing. Dye’s Walk also serves as the practice facility for University of Indianapolis and Center Grove schools.
“We have a piece of history here. We have a valuable asset to the Greenwood community,” Haynes said. “This is a growing community; Johnson County is one of the fastest growing counties in the (metropolitan statistical area), and this is one of the premier country club golf courses for Greenwood.”
Plans for the course refresh and new annex started coming together in 2014, as club leadership discussed ways to cater to members year-round, even in the winter or on rainy days.
Even nine years ago, the conversation gravitated towards golf simulators, said Kyle Baumann, PGA director of golf and general manager at Dye’s Walk.
“Back then, simulators weren’t like this. They were a little more archaic and much more expensive. Fast forward to now, and we’re at a point where we’ve grown membership and we have the wherewithal to bring some of those amenities,” he said.
Membership supported the idea, and Dye’s Walk broke ground on the new annex in September 2022. They also started working on the course itself.
“It was a full-tee renovation — increased square footage, leveling and new grass. And then we did an entire bunker renovation, putting a state-of-the-art liner system,” Baumann said.
Built by Jeff West Construction, the annex gives Dye’s Walk more room in its main clubhouse. Family dining will be expanded, allowing the club to serve more people, Baumann said.
A larger pro shop and men’s and women’s locker rooms make the new construction an asset to the club. But the most buzz has come from the golf simulators upstairs.
“The thought behind this is, we can provide leagues, practice, club fittings, lessons, all year around,” Baumann said. “If you look around in this area, you don’t have this anywhere, at least not at a private country club.”
As Dye’s Walk was preparing for the annex’s grand opening, members were already excited about the new simulators. Jake Hardin, 13, and L.J. Brennan, 15, whose families belong to the club, were already spending as much time as they could in the new space.
“I play every day, and to be able to come out here after school, finishing homework and coming out here, it’ll be great, especially in the winter,” Jake said.
Brennan added, “I think it’s going to be awesome in terms of keeping the members happy in the winter. You can get a little impatient, waiting for that first 50-degree day, but even if you can’t get out on the golf course, this is going to keep a lot of members content.”
AT A GLANCE
Dye’s Walk Country Club construction project
What: The creation of a new 4,600-square-foot annex featuring a pro shop, locker rooms and golf simulators on the second floor. The project also includes work on the golf course, including leveling the tee boxes and converting bunkers.
Cost: About $2 million
Where: 2080 S. SR 135, Greenwood
Information: dyeswalkcc.com
