William P. Bell

William P. Bell was born in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, William P. Bell (April 19, 1886 - June 21, 1953) studied agriculture at Duff's Business Institute in Pittsburgh. He moved west to California in 1911, aged 25, and held a series of golf jobs at the Pasadena Country Club, including caddy-master and course superintendent.

William P. Bell worked on golf course construction for architect Willie Watson, including serving as Watson's superintendent, before going into golf course design and development on his own in 1920. Early in his design career, Bell worked closely with famous designer and fellow Pennsylvanian George C. Thomas, Jr., on courses which included the Riviera Country Club, often cited as one of the world's best courses. Although Thomas is listed as the architect of record, Bell made significant contributions to many of the designs.

Most of Bell's courses were designed and built in Southern California. He is considered one of the most important golf course architects in the state, with more than fifty courses credited to his work and design. Bell was a founding member of the American Society of Golf Course Architects and served as ASGCA President in 1952.

Website: https://williambellsociety.wordpress.com/william-p-bell-courses/