Montebello - Rick Smith Re-Design

Montebello Golf Course is undergoing a significant renovation led by golf course architect Rick Smith. The renovation began after the course closed on September 26, 2022. The course was previously an 18 hole course designed by Max Behr with subsequent re-design work by David Rainville, ASGCA. The new course is a comprehensive rebuild effort and will feature 9 holes with a Topgolf driving range.

The updated course configuration reopened under a new name Bella Verde with tee time availability in the summer of 2024. Total project costs were $75 million.

Rick Smith is a globally recognized golf course designer who has created several courses including Arcadia Bluffs by Lake Michigan, Wuskowhan Player's Club in Mount Olive, Michigan, R&S Sharf course at Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan, and the Shenandoah course at Turning Stone Resort in Verona, New York. The Shenandoah course has hosted a few PGA Tour events. Rick Smith is a design partner for Phil Mickelson Design Group.

Montebello Golf Course was built in 1928. The golf course is a city municipal golf course serving the community for almost 100 years. Montebello City Council approved a $60 million municipal bond in September 2022 to finance the project. Topgolf has a 20 year lease on the property.

Butte County's Degarmo Park and Collier County are two examples of introducing junior golf to the community.