A proud Colorado native, Lilly Dye Harmon grew up immersed in golf at Glenmoor Country Club, co-designed by her father, Perry Dye, and her legendary grandparents, Pete and Alice Dye. From an early age, she gained invaluable lessons from her family's renowned design legacy, learning that “drainage, drainage, drainage” was key to a great course and that forward tees made the game more accessible.
Lilly graduated from Kent Denver School and earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Southern Methodist University. After teaching for several years, she transitioned to social media consulting, managing accounts for golf and small businesses. Since 2012, she has been a proud member of Ballyneal Golf Club.
Now living in Castle Rock with her husband, Ross, and their two children, Brooks and Margaret, Lilly balances her career with life as a “mom taxi,” shuttling between high school and middle school activities.
With her deep-rooted passion for golf and dedication to growing the game, Lilly is a valued member of the Colorado Golf Association.
KK: What was it like growing up in the Dye family; a family of talented and very well-known golf course architects?
LDH: Growing up in the Dye family, we spoke the language of golf. I feel like I was born with a club in my hand — it was always a constant in my life. I loved seeing the construction process, like bumping around in a truck with my grandfather while he built Whistling Straits. The best swing coach I ever had was my grandmother, and I was lucky to hit balls with her every summer at Crooked Stick Golf Club.
My dad had an office in Denver where a lot of well-known guys worked, like Jim Urbina, Neil, and Eric Iverson. I loved answering phone calls at the front desk and watching them huddle over their designs in the back. Golf was just always a huge part of life.
KK: That is really cool. I know everyone has a different family story and maybe at the time when you were younger, you didn't realize what a big impact it would have on your life going forward.
LDH: No, definitely not. However, the one thing that my family always instilled in me and my sister is that golf, from the professional level down to the little kid who's just running around with a putter in their hand, is a game for everybody.
KK: I love that. What do you do for work now?
LDH: My first job is being a mom and managing my kids. Part-time, I do social media work for small businesses in Castle Rock and have an account in Salt Lake City, which I really enjoy. I also volunteer a lot — from my kids' schools to the Colorado Golf Association and doing legacy work for my family. I'm heavily involved in The Dye Jr. Invitational, a junior golf tournament in Indiana whose mission is to teach the next generation of golfers about the legacy of Pete and Alice Dye, so I spend a lot of time there in the summer.
KK: Awesome! Who introduced you to the CGA Board and when did you officially join?
LDH: I was introduced to the CGA Board by Dana Murray, a former secretary of the executive committee. I grew up with her daughter Gretchen — we went to high school together in Denver. They were looking for more women to join the board, and since I was already involved in golf, Dana thought I'd be a great fit. The timing felt meaningful, as it came shortly after my grandmother's passing. I saw it as an opportunity to give back to the game that has given me so much over the years. I officially joined the board in 2019, right before COVID, which made it challenging to get fully involved at first since everything was on Zoom. But over the past few years, I've really found my footing and figured out how I can best contribute.
KK: That makes a lot of sense. What do you do for the CGA Board now?
LDH: I've been actively involved in several committees, including CCGO, CPRC, and the Building Committee at CommonGround. I also serve on the fundraising committee for all our youth programs and currently hold the role of secretary on the executive committee. As our secretary, I play a big role in the decision-making process. Throughout the year, I stay in touch with all the board members and help bring everyone together as a whole.
KK: What is a CGA project that you have worked on that you take pride in?
LDH: One of my favorite projects was redoing the CommonGround logo in 2020. Mitch Savage came up with the idea to make the diamonds look like mountains. We worked with the same company that designed the CGA logo, using the same colors and meaning. It was such a fun process, especially because they brought me in for my experience — having seen countless logos and visited so many courses over the years. Being part of that creative process was amazing, and then I got to see it come to life and wear it, which is so fun. Also, I was part of the committee that helped design and build the project — though, to be fair, Ty Holt was really the one who brought it to life. I had some input in the early stages on how to transform the clubhouse into a multipurpose building that could serve everyone. It was such a fun and rewarding experience.
KK: What is your favorite golf memory?
LDH: I have so many favorite golf memories from growing up in and around the game. It all comes down to my grandparents. Whether it was spending time on job sites, golfing with them, or witnessing how influential their legacy has become, it's been incredibly special to be a part of.
I was present for many of their lifetime achievement awards. My grandmother was the first woman to serve as president of the American Society of Golf Course Architects (ASGCA), which was predominantly made up of men. Watching her break that barrier was inspiring and has motivated me to continue their legacy by ensuring everyone has access to the game — especially women and children.
One of the most memorable moments was when my grandfather was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame. Our whole family was there, and it was such a proud moment. My family always believed golf is a sport for everyone, encouraging us to join them on the course instead of staying home on Sundays. I’m incredibly grateful for those experiences.
Another favorite memory was my first hole-in-one at Glenmoor Country Club. It was on Father's Day, and the first time I played golf with my now husband. I had been playing okay that day, and as I stepped up to the tee, my dad said, "Lil, keep your head down." I hit a beautiful shot that rolled right into the hole. Doing that in front of my husband, my dad, and my mom was unforgettable.
KK: How incredible is that! Last question - If you could give your younger self or younger generations one piece of advice, what would it be?
LDH: I would say practice, spend more time with your grandparents and keep it in the fairway. That's what my grandfather used to say.
KK: Thank you so much for sharing your story. Your family's impact on the game of golf is truly inspiring, and we are so fortunate to have you as part of our Board.
