Golf Course Architecture - Issue 61, July 2020

84 S oon after hotel group TG Hospitality purchased BellAir Golf Club in Phoenix earlier this year, it appointed Arizona-based golf course architect Forrest Richardson to develop a plan to renovate the club’s par 59 layout. The goal was to prepare one of the state’s earliest ‘executive’ courses for a new generation of golfers. Built in 1972, the BellAir layout – five par fours and 13 par threes – was one of Robert ‘Red’ Lawrence’s final designs, working alongside partners Greg Nash and Jeff Hardin. “The original design at BellAir was led by Nash,” says Richardson. “From what we have pieced together, it was his partner Hardin who oversaw field design and construction, taking Nash’s design and bringing it to life. At the time, Red was winding down his career, but remained active to mentor Nash and Hardin to eventually take over the work.” Richardson’s plan includes the thinning of some mature trees to allow more air circulation and sunlight, and Hardin’s series of swales and drainage channels to be retained and integrated into the greens. “We do not see many bunkers,” says Richardson. “Instead we will rely on the undulations of the drainage system, and in some places convert those areas to naturalised desert.” Tees will be added and work done to preserve greens that have the trademark influence of Red, and of his time working with William Flynn. “Not many people realise that Red was a protégé of Flynn,” says Richardson. “In the early work by Nash and Hardin you can see well-engineered greens, but also variety and creativity.” Richardson has also designed a ‘zero hole’ for the layout, which can be played as a warm-up or bonus hole. Tees for the short par three are right beside the clubhouse, so crowds can gather to watch golfers take on the shot over water to a peninsula green. The clubhouse area will also include a putting course and practice green, and a new range that includes seating, trajectory tracking and food service. Work is scheduled to begin in 2021 and into 2022. GCA Images: Forrest Richardson The ‘zero hole’ can serve as a warm-up or bonus hole. Top, a conceptual rendering from the renovated course Forrest Richardson has a ‘zero hole’ in his plans for one of Red Lawrence’s last designs HOL ING OUT Plan Z