It all started with Bert Stamps dream of a course east of Fresno. In 1954, he pursued the idea of a golf club and approached Frank J. Sanders, a local auto dealer and developer, who was also interested in an east Fresno golf course. Finding a location and building Belmont Country Club would be the second in a string of private courses built by Bert in Central California, which included Kings River Golf and Country Club in Kingsburg, and San Luis Obispo Country Club.
After an unsuccessful attempt to acquire land near Clovis and Belmont Avenues, Frank and Bert found and then partnered with Walt Tomerlin. Walt owned a 94 acre former grape vineyard, on which the course now resides at the southeast corner of Belmont Avenue and De Wolf Avenue. The land was sub-divided for the golf course, a street, and lots. The sub-division was named Belmont Country Club Estates and the lots were sold to those who would later become early members. Sanders Court, the circle drive the course wraps around, is named after Frank J. Sanders. Bert was the course designer and later the first Golf Professional of Belmont Country Club. He also built the first home on the property. Belmont County Club was built in 1955 and opened for business in October 1956.
Frank, Bert, and Walt along with a few others, formed a corporation, Belmont Park Corporation, and sold shares for $100 each. A tidy sum in those days! Walt and Frank were major shareholders and responsible for much of the early success of the club. Ironically, Walt owned a set of golf clubs but never played. In 1956, the regular membership initiation fee was $250 and the monthly dues were $18.50. A couple of years later, the initiation fee was reduced to $150 with a goal of recruiting enough members to total 250. The golf shop was run by Bert and his young assistant, Hap Rose. The building in which the pro shop and club office now reside is the same building these two men worked in 50 years ago. At that time, the building functioned as the pro shop, restaurant, office, and storage facility. There was a ranch house that stood just west of the pro shop where the current cart barn is located. Shortly after the course opened, the ranch house was moved to a lot just north of the current fifth tee. A swimming pool and small cart barn were built where the ranch house previously stood. The pool was enjoyed by young and old, for many years until its demise in 1992, replaced with a larger cart storage building by George Alexander, a member and contractor. The members bought the course from the corporation in 1962. At that time, the club sold "Lifetime Memberships" to anyone interested for $2,400 each. Fifteen people purchased them and were free from any monthly dues and assessments for life.