Riverside Golf Course, known locally as "Big Muni," opened in 1939 as a federally funded Works Progress Administration project for the City of Fresno, making it the second-oldest course in the city. The 18-hole layout was designed by William P. "Billy" Bell, the prolific California architect whose credits include Stanford University Golf Course and Torrey Pines, and who collaborated with George Thomas on Riviera Country Club. Riverside replaced an earlier 9-hole private club built in 1926 that went bankrupt during the Depression; local pro Grant Halstead pushed for the city takeover and Bell's hiring in 1938.

On the course

Set along the San Joaquin River on roughly 129 acres, the parkland-style course plays to a par of 72 at about 6,645 yards from the back tees, with a course rating of 71.1 and a slope of 123 over Bermuda grass. The terrain is unusual for the flat San Joaquin Valley: fairways roll gently and tilt, level lies are rare, and tree-lined corridors tighten the landing areas. Small greens and classic Billy Bell bunkering reward precise approach play over raw distance. CourseCo manages the facility for the city, and most greens have been upgraded to USGA standards while the original routing remains intact.

Who it suits

The back nine includes the course's signature stretch, where the 10th drops from an elevated tee into a canyon toward the San Joaquin River, with a railroad trestle visible across the water that serves as the course's logo. The short par-3 11th plays 143 yards uphill to a green that falls sharply from back to front. Riverside continues to host the Fresno City Championships, the region's premier amateur event. With moderate green fees and pre-war architecture intact, it suits players who value shot-shaping, course history, and walkable municipal golf over modern resort polish.

Architect: William P. Bell · Opened: 1939