Legendary Golf Course Architect William Francis Bell designed the serene and challenging Ancil Hoffman Golf Course in 1965 for the Sacramento County. Bell, an extremely talented and prolific golf course designer, built nearly 200 golf courses during his lifetime. Most of Bell’s courses are located throughout the western United States, and also on some islands in the Pacific Ocean.
William Francis Bell was the son of William Park Bell. The two of them were often called Billy Bell, Jr. and Billy Bell, Sr., respectively. Both were noted golf course architects who designed almost a dozen projects together. Even after his father died in 1953, Bell Jr. retained the company name of William P. Bell and Son. The Bells are considered by many to be California’s First Family of Golf Course Design.
During the 1950s and 1960s, William F. Bell’s course design work was concentrated in the Sacramento area. It was during this time that Bell designed Ancil Hoffman Golf Course in Carmichael, Valley Hi Country Club in Elk Grove, and North Ridge Country Club in Fair Oaks.
Perhaps the most famous golf course designed by William F. Bell is Torrey Pines Golf Course in La Jolla, California. Long recognized as one the country’s foremost municipal golf facilities, the South Course at Torrey Pines has been selected by the USGA as the host course for many high profile tournaments.
To this day Mr. Bell’s courses continue to inspire and challenge golfers of every ability level.
This one of t.he classic public courses in Sacramento. Fun, playable layout. Weekends can be slow. nice Driving range for practicing. Use your Waze to get to the course if it is your first time.
