Del Rio CC Looks To Forrest Richardson for Historic Perspective

MODESTO, Calif. - Sept. 8, 2013 - PRLog -- The Del Rio Country Club in Modesto, California has announced that golf course architect Forrest Richardson will begin overseeing the club's long range planning. Richardson, known throughout California and the West for his restoration and renovation work, will begin work with the club this Fall.

Del Rio, originally designed by William Park "Billy" Bell, was established in 1946 and was among the last projects of the elder Bell before relinquishing work to his son, William F. Bell. Willam Park Bell passed away in 1956 after a long career working with George C. Thomas, Jr. and then on his own. With Thomas, Bell completed Bel-Air and Riveria among many others. William Bell & Sons was responsible for numerous course designs throughout California, most notably the work at Torrey Pines in La Jolla.

"The opportunity to work with Del Rio to plan the next decade of improvements is tremendous," commented Richardson. "The members are truly enthused about their legacy and the work laid out by Billy Bell toward the end of his long career." According to historical records, founding member Morley Theaker was friends with Bell and asked him to come out to Modesto to help the club layout the course. Bell was paid just $1,000 acording to club records. Richardson will be charged with developing plans for the original 18 holes created by Bell and the newer nine holes designed by Robert Muir Graves in the 1990s.

John Harbottle, who passed away in 2012, had completed bunker and greens work on the original 18 holes in the early 2000s. As more restoration and improvement projects are carried out, Richardson will continue to build upon the Bell design philosophy inherent in the original concepts Bell brought to life.

Forrest Richardson, ASGCA, is principal of Forrest Richardson & Associates based in Phoenix, Arizona and Studio City, California. The firm is also currently working on Bell-designed courses in Palo Alto, California; Burbank, California; and Carson, California.