William F. Bell

La Jolla, CA

The South Course at Torrey Pines is a municipal course owned by the city of San Diego, sitting on cliffs above the Pacific in La Jolla. William F. Bell designed the original 18, which opened in 1957, and Rees Jones rebuilt and lengthened it in 2001 to prepare it for championship golf. The course runs along the bluff edge with canyons cutting inland, and the par-3 third and the par-5 18th, which plays to a green fronted by water, are the best-known holes. Coastal wind and thick kikuyu grass rough are the main difficulties, and the course stretches past 7,600 yards from the back tees, though everyday golfers play it considerably shorter. Torrey Pines South hosts the Farmers Insurance Open each January, and held the U.S. Open in 2008, won by Tiger Woods in a playoff, and again in 2021, won by Jon Rahm. San Diego residents pay a reduced rate, and anyone can book a tee time.

Ojai, CA

Soule Park Golf Course occupies land at the base of Black Mountain in the Ojai Valley of Southern California, donated to Ventura County by the Soule family for public recreation. William F. Bell designed the original course, which opened in 1962, routing it around a normally dry barranca that crosses the property. A major 2005 flood damaged large sections of the course, leading to a rebuild led by Gil Hanse and Jim Wagner that restored a strategic, old-style character with wide fairways and inventive green complexes. Today the course plays to roughly 6,800 yards from the championship tees, with wide corridors that still demand thought around the barranca and its bunkering. As a county-owned municipal course, it is open to the public and priced modestly, drawing golfers who want a walkable, links-inspired round without private club costs.

City of Industry, CA

The Dwight D. Eisenhower Course, known as the Ike, is one of two courses at Industry Hills Golf Club in the City of Industry, California, east of Los Angeles, built atop a former landfill site. Designed by architect William F. Bell, it opened in November 1979 as part of a 36-hole complex developed by Bill Bryant with the City of Industry. The course has notable elevation change for the area, with holes doglegging in both directions across hillside terrain and views toward the San Gabriel Mountains. At more than 7,200 yards from the back tees, the Ike has long been a demanding public-access test in the Los Angeles area, with numerous lakes and more than a hundred bunkers historically. It has hosted PGA and LPGA qualifying rounds. Industry Hills operates as a resort facility with lodging, dining and a funicular once used to move golfers between holes.

Rancho Palos Verdes, CA

Los Verdes Golf Course occupies a hilltop site on the Palos Verdes Peninsula in Rancho Palos Verdes, California, with Pacific Ocean views from most holes. The course opened in 1964 and was designed by William F. Bell. Its most noted hole is the oceanside 15th. The facility includes a driving range, putting greens, and practice bunkers, along with an ocean-view restaurant, and it is open to the public with senior and junior rate programs.

City of Industry, CA

The Zaharias course, known as 'the Babe,' is one of two 18-hole courses at Industry Hills Golf Club, part of the Pacific Palms Resort in City of Industry, California. William F. Bell and Casey O'Callaghan designed the course, which opened along with its sister Eisenhower course in 1979 across the resort's 650-acre hilltop property, and is named for athlete Babe Didrikson Zaharias. The course plays to a par of 71 and is intentionally narrow and long, ranging from about 5,363 yards at the forward tees to 6,821 yards from the championship tees, with slope ratings between 126 and 138. The Babe course operates as part of the Pacific Palms Resort and is open to resort guests and the public, alongside the neighboring Eisenhower course, practice facilities and a golf shop.

Thousand Oaks, CA

Los Robles Greens is an old-school course in the foothills of the Santa Monica Mountains, near Los Angeles. The par-70 layout measures 6,300 yards from the tips. Rolling terrain, narrow doglegs, and well-placed bunkers provide varied shot options.

Los Angeles, CA

Steeped in professional golf history, Rancho Park Golf Course stands as a venerable municipal gem in Los Angeles, having hosted the prestigious LA Open for many years. Designed by the renowned William P. Bell and William H. Johnson, the course opened in 1949, embodying the classic Southern California Golden Era design philosophy with its strategic layout. Golfers navigate a challenging par-71 championship course spanning 6,839 yards, characterized by significant elevation changes and a series of dogleg holes that demand precision and thoughtful shot-making. While lacking a single iconic signature hole, the course offers a memorable finish with back-to-back par-5s, culminating in a demanding 16th hole that tests even seasoned players. Rancho Park provides a robust and engaging playing experience, reflecting its championship pedigree. This historic course is perfectly suited for both local enthusiasts seeking a challenging round and destination golfers eager to walk the same fairways as golf legends.

Springville, UT

Utah's landscape features the Uinta and Wasatch Ranges of the Rocky Mountains, with peaks, valleys, canyons, lakes, rock formations, and forests. The Basin and Ridge area extends from the Great Salt Lake west to the Bonneville Salt Flats, then south to "Utah's Dixie." This southern region includes Bryce Canyon, Cedar Breaks National Monument, and Zion Canyon. Public access golf courses in the southwest include Sand Hollow Resort, Entrada at Snow Canyon Country Club, and The Ledges in St. George. Near Salt Lake City and Provo, top courses are Valley View, Thanksgiving Point Golf Club, Hobble Creek, and Soldier Hollow. Other public courses include The Hideout near the Four Corners and Moab Golf Club near the Arches.

Granada Hills, CA

Knollwood Country Club is an 18-hole public golf course in Granada Hills, California, in the San Fernando Valley, established in 1956. It was designed by William F. Bell across rolling hills terrain that creates natural elevation changes throughout the round. The course plays to a par of 72 and measures 6,385 yards from the back tees, with a course rating of 70.8 and a slope of 124. Facilities include a two-tiered driving range, putting greens, a full-service pro shop and a clubhouse with a restaurant and event spaces, along with lighted tennis courts. Despite the country club name, Knollwood operates as a public daily-fee course open to any golfer, with tee times available from sunrise to sunset. It also hosts weddings and other events in its banquet facilities.

Long Beach, CA

El Dorado Park Golf Course is set within El Dorado Park West in Long Beach, California, offering a parkland layout with mature trees and rolling greens near the San Gabriel River. The course has been part of the city's recreational landscape since the early 1960s. The course was designed by architect Ted Robinson Sr. and opened in 1962. It plays as a par-72 layout of roughly 6,900 yards, with tree-lined fairways and water features that come into play on select holes without overwhelming the design. El Dorado Park is open to the public and hosts the Long Beach Open along with active men's and women's golf clubs. Practice facilities include a putting green, chipping areas, and practice bunkers, and the clubhouse offers banquet space for weddings and other events.

San Diego, CA

Rancho Bernardo Inn Golf Club is an 18-hole championship course in San Diego, California, about 30 minutes north of downtown in a valley setting with tree-lined fairways and elevated tees. It was designed by William Francis Bell and opened in 1962, hosting the PGA Tour's San Diego Open in 1964 and later LPGA events. The course is part of the Rancho Bernardo Inn resort and is open to resort guests and the public through JC Golf's tee time booking system, with a loyalty card offering access to other San Diego-area courses. Amenities include a pro shop, lessons and group/tournament services.

Encino, CA

Encino Golf Course is part of the Sepulveda Golf Complex in the Sepulveda Dam Recreation Area of Encino, in the San Fernando Valley area of Los Angeles. The course features wide, tree-lined fairways over a medium-length, mostly flat layout. Encino was designed by William P. Bell and opened in 1957 as the second course built within the Sepulveda complex, following the Balboa course. The par-72 layout offers several challenging par-3 holes and a mix of tee options ranging from around 5,300 to over 7,000 yards. Operated by the City of Los Angeles, Encino is open to the public and shares its clubhouse and practice amenities with the adjacent Balboa course. Facilities include a lighted driving range, a short-game area, a practice green, a golf shop, and a full-service restaurant, with lessons available year-round.

Van Nuys, CA

Woodley Lakes Golf Course is a municipal course in Van Nuys, California, part of the city's Sepulveda Dam Recreation Area complex. Wide fairways and large greens sit alongside roughly nine acres of water hazards, and the grounds provide habitat for a range of wildlife. The course was designed by Ray Goates and opened in 1975 as the third course built within the recreation area. It was built to suit players of varied skill levels, with generous landing areas that favor beginners while still testing longer hitters. Operated by the City of Los Angeles, Woodley Lakes plays to about 6,800 yards from the back tees, with four sets of tees including newer family tees on every hole. The facility includes a lighted driving range, practice greens and cart and club rentals.

Salt Lake City, UT

Glendale Golf Course is a public course on the west side of Salt Lake City, Utah, running alongside the Jordan River. The city built the course in 1973. It has faced repeated closure proposals over the years as the city weighed its golf operations against other uses for the land. The par-72 layout plays 6,908 yards from the back tees on mostly flat, open terrain with modest tree cover, lakes affecting a handful of holes, and views of the Wasatch and Oquirrh mountains.

Groveland, CA

Pine Mountain Lake Golf Course is located in Groveland, California, in the Sierra Nevada foothills near Yosemite, with a first tee elevation of about 2,840 feet. The layout winds through oaks and pines with mountain views. The 18-hole course was designed by William F. Bell and opened in 1969, playing to a par of 70 at 6,382 yards from the back tees, with a classic park-like setting and tree-lined holes throughout. The course is open to the public year-round, with a driving range and golf lessons available. A dress code applies, including a ban on blue jeans on the course.

Brigham City, UT

Eagle Mountain Golf Course is a public course in Brigham City. The 18-hole layout plays over rolling terrain with mountain views, a friendly course that serves the Brigham City area.

Pico Rivera, CA

Designed by legendary William F. Bell in 1965, this nine-hole course in Pico Rivera features a lighted covered range and 1,504-yard layout open until 10 p.m. A well-maintained municipal gem with friendly staff, ideal for beginners and those looking to sharpen their short game.

Idaho Falls, ID

A golf course in Idaho Falls, ID. Sand Creek Golf Course offers a pleasant golfing experience.