Brookside Golf Courses, a 36-hole public facility originally designed by William Park ‘Billy’ Bell in Pasadena, California, has selected Forrest Richardson to develop a renovation plan.

The courses are owned by the City of Pasadena and operated by the Rose Bowl Stadium, which is located next to the Brookside facility. Portions of both 18-hole layouts are also used for concerts and festivals throughout the year.

Richardson’s work will involve shifting a few holes to allow for new community amenities, including an expanded entertainment-based driving range and 36 holes of miniature golf. Both new features are aimed at attracting new people to the facility, also known as the Rose Bowl Arroyo Seco recreation area.

“These new concepts will bring a new dimension to Brookside,” said Richardson. “But at every turn we are taking great measures to uphold the legacy of Bell’s work, and to make certain the courses remain true to the design hallmarks of his work here.”

Bell designed the course in 1928 and later worked with his son, William F. Bell, who consulted on changes during the 1960s and 70s.

“The courses represent the best of public access golf, and they have always been familiar to me and my family and friends who play golf in the area,” said Richardson, who grew up in nearby Burbank. “The courses deserve to be preserved and improved, which is fundamental to our work adjusting holes for these new uses and players.

“One of the greatest benefits of public golf courses are their ability to also accommodate non-golfers. Much like the Old course at St Andrews, where we see families strolling across the course every Sunday, Brookside has taken the concept of a golf course serving as a park to the next level in its programming and community uses.”

According to Brookside, it estimates that more than a half million people use the facility every year, with less than 25 per cent playing golf.

“We’re looking to the future, while regarding the past,” said Richardson. “We envision a Brookside that will delight golfers for the next 100 years yet will also continue to expand its reach to include people who may not currently play the game, but will be given an opportunity to see what golf has to offer.”

Richardson is finalising historical and environmental reports, with a possible construction start date of 2024.