William Francis Bell (August 8, 1918 – September 20, 1984) was a golf course architect, active from the 1960s into the early 1980s.[1][2]
Born in Pasadena, California, son of noted architect Billy Bell, Bell Jr. studied at University of Southern California in Los Angeles. He was affectionately known as "Billy Bell Jr.". [3]
William F. Bell's courses were designed in the Western United States.[4] Bell is considered a commercial golf course architect with more than 200 courses credited to his work and design, mostly in the American West and Hawaii.[5] Notably, Bell was the golf architect for Torrey Pines Golf Course, both Torrey Pines North course and Torrey Pines South course, site of the 2008 and 2021 US Open.[6]
Bell was elected into The American Society of Golf Course Architects (ASGCA) in 1950 and served as ASGCA President from 1957-1958. Bell was elected in 2017 to the Southern California Golf Association Hall of Fame for his contribution to the sport of golf.[7]
Bell's Mesa Verde Country Club hosted the PGA Tour Orange County Open Invitational from 1959 - 1962 with notable champions Tony Lema and Billy Casper.[8] LPGA Nancy Lopez won at Mesa Verde Country Club in 1984.[9]
Bell's Bermuda Dunes Country Club hosted the PGA Tour's Desert Classic for 49 years.[10]
Bell's Newport Beach Country Club course has hosted the Hoag Classic on the PGA Tour Champions from 1995 - 2022.[11]
Bell's Saticoy Club hosted the LPGA Mediheal Championship in October 2022.[12]
Following at $25 renovation upgrade, Bell's Industry Hills is home to the Southern California Section of the PGA of America since 2016.[13] Industry Hills Eisenhower course has hosted several professional tournaments:
The following is a partial list of courses designed by William F. Bell:
Name | Contribution | Year Built | City / Town | State / Province | Country | Comments |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Maryvale GC | OD | Phoenix[21] | Arizona | United States | ||
Papago GC | OD | Phoenix | Arizona | United States | ||
Tucson CC | OD | Tucson | Arizona | United States | ||
Alhambra GC | OD | Alhambra | California | United States | ||
Ancil Hoffman GC | OD | Carmichael[22] | California | United States | ||
Apple Valley CC | OD | Apple Valley | California | United States | ||
Bakersfield CC | OD | Bakersfield | California | United States | Private, with William P. Bell | |
Bermuda Dunes CC | OD | Bermuda Dunes | California | United States | ||
California CC | OD | Whittier | California | United States | ||
Eaton Canyon GC | OD | 1962 | Pasadena | California | United States | |
Heartwell GC | OD | Long Beach[23] | California | United States | ||
Industry Hills GC (Dwight D. Eisenhower (Ike) Course) | OD | 1979 | City of Industry | California | United States | |
Industry Hills GC (Babe D. Zaharias (Babe) Course) | OD | 1980 | City of Industry | California | United States | |
Lomas Santa Fe Executive GC | OD | 1973 | Solana Beach | California | United States | also named Lomas Santa Fe CC |
Los Verdes GC | OD | Rancho Palos Verdes | California | United States | ||
Mesa Verde CC | OD | Costa Mesa[24] | California | United States | ||
Mission Trails GC | OD | San Diego[25] | California | United States | ||
Newport Beach CC | OD | Newport Beach | California | United States | ||
Palo Alto Municipal GC | OD | Palo Alto | California | United States | ||
Peacock Gap GC | OD | San Rafael | California | United States | ||
Rancho Bernardo Inn GC | OD | San Diego | California | United States | ||
Recreation Park GC 18 | OD | Long Beach | California | United States | also known as "Big Rec" | |
Sandpiper GC | OD | Goleta[26] | California | United States | ||
Tamarisk CC | OD | 1952 | Rancho Mirage[27] | California | United States | |
Torrey Pines GC (North Course, South Course) | OD | 1957 | La Jolla, San Diego | California | United States | |
The Saticoy Club | OD | 1923 | Somis[28] | California | United States | originally named Saticoy CC, with George C. Thomas Jr. |
Hawaii Kai GC | OD | Honolulu (Oahu) | Hawaii | United States | ||
Idaho Falls CC | OD | Idaho Falls | Idaho | United States | ||
Mountain Dell GC (The Canyon Course) | OD | Salt Lake City | Utah | United States |