William Francis Bell

William Francis Bell
Born
William Francis Bell

(1918-08-08)August 8, 1918
Pasadena, California, US
DiedSeptember 20, 1984(1984-09-20) (aged 66)
Pasadena, California, US
OccupationGolf course architect
Known forGolf course architect
Board member ofAmerican Society of
Golf Course Architects
SpouseDell Applebury
ChildrenWilliam Park Bell II
(1952–1992)
Parent

William Francis Bell (August 8, 1918 – September 20, 1984) was a golf course architect, active from the 1960s into the early 1980s.[1][2]

Biography

William Francis Bell was born in Pasadena, California, the son of noted architect William Park Bell, and was affectionately known as "Billy Bell Jr.". He studied at University of Southern California in Los Angeles.[3]

The courses Bell designed are predominently located 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 to 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:

Notable courses

The following is a list of notable courses designed by William F. Bell:[20]

  • OD denotes courses for which William F. Bell is the original designer
  • R denotes courses reconstructed by William F. Bell
  • A denotes courses for which William F. Bell made substantial additions
  • E denotes courses that William F. Bell examined and on the construction of which he consulted
Name Contribution Year Built City / Town State / Province Country Comments
Bakersfield CC OD Bakersfield California United States United States Private, with William P. Bell
Industry Hills GC (Ike Course) OD 1979 City of Industry California United States United States
Industry Hills GC (Babe Course) OD 1980 City of Industry California United States United States
Tamarisk CC OD 1952 Rancho Mirage[21] California United States United States
Torrey Pines GC (North Course, South Course) OD 1957 La Jolla, San Diego California United States United States

References

  1. ^ "The Bells: California's first family of golf course design". (California): City of San Diego. Retrieved February 21, 2017.
  2. ^ Techniques for improving established golf courses: Restoration, renovation, and redesign. An improvement plan for the Meadow Club (Fairfax, California) (Thesis). University of Arizona. May 31, 2000. Retrieved November 16, 2022.
  3. ^ "PCAD". (Seattle): Pacific Coast Architecture Database. Retrieved November 12, 2022.
  4. ^ Thomas Brown (October 24, 2020). "Best Golf Courses in Los Angeles". Golf Magazine. Retrieved November 16, 2022.
  5. ^ Joe Passov (June 14, 2021). "US Open site Torrey Pines - Original Golf Architect". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved November 16, 2022.
  6. ^ "Orange County Invitational following Bell's completion". Los Angeles Times. August 1, 1993. Retrieved November 16, 2022.
  7. ^ "Miss Lopez Wins". New York Times. March 3, 1984. Retrieved November 16, 2022.
  8. ^ "Inside the courses: 50th Bob Hope Classic". PGA Tour (Press release). January 17, 2009. Retrieved November 16, 2022.
  9. ^ "PGA Tour Inside the Course". PGA Tour (Press release). March 3, 2009. Retrieved November 16, 2022.
  10. ^ "Ewart Shadoff earns first LPGA title by winning event at The Saticoy Club in Somis". VC Star USA Today. October 9, 2022. Retrieved November 17, 2022.
  11. ^ Youngman, Randy (26 May 2016). "2 tracks and an accessible spot work for SCPGA golf course at Industry Hills". Orange County Register. Retrieved 16 November 2022.
  12. ^ "Remembrance of the 1980 and 1981 victories from Sally Little". LPGA. 22 March 2011. Retrieved 16 November 2022.
  13. ^ a b Pucin, Diane (22 March 2011). "Los Angeles Times - LPGA event at Industry Hills". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 16 November 2022.
  14. ^ "Images from the 2011 LPGA event at Industry Hills with winner Sand Gal of Germany". LPGA. 27 March 2011. Retrieved 16 November 2022.
  15. ^ "USA Today GolfWeek LPGA event promotion for Michelle Wie". LPGA. 19 September 2010. Retrieved 16 November 2022.
  16. ^ "21 year old Lizette Salas qualifies for the U.S. Women's Open at Industry Hills". LPGA. 5 June 2011. Retrieved 16 November 2022.
  17. ^ "16 year old Angel Yin qualifies for the U.S. Women's Open at Industry Hills". LPGA. 31 May 2016. Retrieved 16 November 2022.
  18. ^ "William Francis Bell, a short profile". Golf Club Atlas. Retrieved 2022-11-15.
  19. ^ Larry Bohannan (April 30, 2015). "Tamarisk pro-am harkens back to Hope Classic". Palm Desert, California): Desert Sun. Retrieved November 20, 2022.