AUSTIN, Texas --The Austin, Texas-based golf design team of Roy Bechtol and Randy Russell has dissolved their partnership but the pair said the move – finalized last week – will have “no effect” on the golf course projects they currently have under contract together.
Since its founding in 1998, Bechtol Russell Golf has created a number of critically acclaimed championship-caliber golf courses mostly in Texas, including Comanche Trace (with Tom Kite) in Kerrville, Texas, The Golf Club of Texas in San Antonio, The Golf Club at Star Ranch in Hutto, Texas, ShadowGlen Golf Club in Manor, Texas and The University of Texas Golf Club at Steiner Ranch in Austin.

Throughout their careers – both jointly and as individuals – Bechtol and Russell have been involved in the design of more than 50 golf courses across the United States and have worked with some of the world’s best golf designers, including Pete Dye, Tom Fazio, Gary Player, Carter and Jay Morrish and Lee Trevino. Bechtol also helped Fazio with the Foothills and Canyons courses at Barton Creek Resort in Austin.

The partnership recently completed its work on the much anticipated Waterford Texas golf course in Smithwick, Texas, a track Bechtol says “may be our finest work to date.” Waterford has been fully grassed and is expected to be ready for play sometime this fall.

Because of the handful of courses the two principals still have under contract together, Bechtol described the breakup as “a divorce with children.”

“This was just the time to go our separate ways,” Bechtol said. “I have enjoyed working with Randy, and we have had a lot of fun together. There are things that I want to do outside just the building of golf courses, and I will move in that direction as well as continuing to build great courses and great communities around those courses.”

The Bechtol Russell website was dismantled last week and both of the former partners are working on new net presences that could debut as early Memorial Day. Bechtol will keep his Lake Austin-area office, while Russell has leased other space in the city.

“There is no animosity between Roy and I – we just decided this was the right time to make a break and go in different directions,” Russell said.

Bechtol will continue on as a golf course designer, but will emphasize his expertise for building communities from the ground up.

“My vision for a golf course takes all the aspects of the environment into consideration,” said Bechtol, who is also the principal for Planned Environments, Inc., a 33-year old landscape architecture, environmental solutions and land planning services company. “We will continue to build golfing communities that thrive hand-in-hand with their surroundings. By doing so we increase the worth and longevity of the real estate on which these courses and communities co-exist.”

Bechtol’s passion for combining outdoor recreation, environmental responsibility and business led to the creation of his newest endeavor, a firm called Waters Of America. Three other partners – Hub Bechtol, Jason Parrish and John Schwartzlose – will work with Roy Bechtol in Waters Of America.

Waters Of America utilizes its team of biologists and environmental architects to design, build and manage wetland areas and trophy fishing lakes that serve as featured amenities at golf course- and master planned-communities.

“What could be more rewarding than helping to protect our wildlife and fishing resources while simultaneously creating opportunities for more people to enjoy nature,” said Schwartzlose, one of Waters Of America’s biologists. The fledgling company has various fishery related projects underway and is currently finalizing several contracts.

“There are a lot of irons in the fire right now, and that is what makes this business such fun,” Bechtol said. “With these three companies, we continue to create value and a great lifestyle for our clients.

About Bechtol Golf Design
Bechtol Golf Design has designed more than 50 golf courses throughout the United States either as the lead architect or as a collaborator with other golf course designers. Led by its principal, Roy Bechtol, Bechtol Golf Design combines cutting-edge technology with creative, traditional design practices to determine the best possible plan for land development.
Upcoming projects include courses in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, in the Colorado Rocky Mountains near Vail, in the Texas Hill Country along the upper banks of Lake Travis and on Mustang Island on the Texas coast.

Bechtol Golf Design’s completed projects, both in partnership with former team member Randy Russell and via its continuing relationship with World Golf Hall of Famer Tom Kite, include:
The Waterford Club (Smithwick, Texas)
Gaillardia Country Club (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma)
The Club at Comanche Trace (Kerrville, Texas)
Legends on Lake LBJ (Kingsland, Texas)
Riverplace Golf Club (Austin, Texas)
The Golf Club at Somersett (Reno, Nevada)
The University of Texas Golf Club (Austin, Texas)
The Golf Club of Texas (San Antonio, Texas)
The Golf Club at Star Ranch (Hutto, Texas)
Black Bear Golf Club (Delhi, Louisiana)
ShadowGlen Golf Club (Manor, Texas)
The Ambush at Lajitas (Lajitas, Texas)
ConCan Country Club (North Uvalde County, Texas)
Saddle Creek (Copperopolis, California)

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