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Greg Hohman

Bell Ringing, Mission Trails, San Diego California
« on: February 04, 2025, 09:44:33 PM »
I have put out a few feelers in vain, so the following «revelation» is not authoritative. The DG may shed light.
 
According to the Architects of Golf, Bell Sr designed nine holes and Graves is responsible for nine. The MT website advertises a Bell Sr 1964 design, no mention of Graves. I have forgotten the years the book assigns to each nine and have not located a routing or any other records. Last week I saw nothing in the clubhouse and asked in the pro shop. The City of San Diego has not responded to a request for information. Not an exhaustive search, but I will document the «Bell Ringing» here in case I don't get around to it. Bell Sr’s eventual biographer (?) may thank Mike and me. Mike? Read on.
 
Mike, my golf comrade and mentor, has played the grounds in question since the 60s when they were called Navajo Canyon. He was a kid then, doesn’t remember if the course was 9 or 18. Last week, upon starting the stretch that «speaks to me» (11-16), Mike and I agreed that Bell Sr. must (?) deserve the credit for it, and we began to wonder about the «separation of powers» and how things would have looked without the familiar front nine, assuming it came second (?). No easy task, especially while in pursuit of magic spheres. Next stop was 12 tee, where we sized up the situation—and «lo and behold» we did a double take because before us stood a twin of the tee shot at Bell Sr's 14 on Balboa 18!
 
« Last Edit: Yesterday at 04:37:37 PM by Greg Hohman »
newmonumentsgc.com

MCirba

Re: Bell Ringing, Mission Trails, San Diego California
« Reply #1 on: Yesterday at 03:29:16 PM »
Greg,

A few things here don't add up.   Sources say the course opened in 1955 but Bell Sr. died in 1953. 

When I look at historicaerials.com I see several holes built south of Jackson Road by 1964 but none before then (**EDIT** - the only available aerial prior to 1964 is 1953, and there is no sign of a golf course at that time).   The 1966 aerial shows a full 18 hole course with holes north of Jackson Road in place.   

Perhaps the club moved?   Not sure.


(**EDIT 2**) Greg, I have a pretty good publication that's a Golf Guide to California and it indicates that Mission Trails was William P Bell (Sr.) in 1966 which is a pretty nice trick from the grave with him having died in 1953.   I suspect it was his son William F. Bell, but that's a guess although it would correspond to the aerial evidence I mentioned above.
« Last Edit: Yesterday at 04:10:23 PM by MCirba »
"Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent" - Calvin Coolidge

https://cobbscreek.org/

Greg Hohman

Re: Bell Ringing, Mission Trails, San Diego California
« Reply #2 on: Yesterday at 04:36:13 PM »
Mike,

The aerial fits the scenario of Bell holes south of Jackson Road. But which Bell? Jr seems the likely candidate, as you suggest, unless Sr plans were dusted off? Then, between 1964 and 1966, the Graves holes north of Jackson were built? Perhaps Jr was engaged elsewhere, so Graves got the job?

A complication: There are eight holes south of Jackson, so what 9 were open in 1964?


As for the «revelation»: If 12 is Bell Jr's, then I will propose that the tee shot is a salute to Dad's 14 at Balboa.

greg
« Last Edit: Yesterday at 04:57:41 PM by Greg Hohman »
newmonumentsgc.com

MCirba

Re: Bell Ringing, Mission Trails, San Diego California
« Reply #3 on: Yesterday at 05:12:04 PM »
Greg,


I've found other sources that indicate the course opened in 1964 and it was indeed the son, William F. Bell who designed it.


Where Robert Muir Graves comes in adding 9 seems erroneous, but Architects of Golf indicates whatever he did was in 1986.


Hope that helps.
"Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent" - Calvin Coolidge

https://cobbscreek.org/

Greg Hohman

Re: Bell Ringing, Mission Trails, San Diego California
« Reply #4 on: Yesterday at 05:39:49 PM »
A different architect north of Jackson seemed plausible because the land is different from south of Jackson and consequently the holes are too.


I will continue to look for plans, including from 1986. ::)
newmonumentsgc.com

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