World-Renowned Architecture Firm Expands Global Presence, Commitment to China’s Golf Industry
(SCOTTSDALE, Ariz.) – Schmidt-Curley Design – the full-service golf-course architecture, master-planning and construction-management firm – announces it is opening a second Chinese satellite office in Kunming, expanding its global presence and further demonstrating its commitment to China’s burgeoning golf industry.
Schmidt-Curley, architect of 10 of the 12 courses at China’s Mission Hills Golf Club, opened its first Asian-based headquarters in Haikou on Hainan Island in November 2007, establishing a foothold in one of the world’s most rapidly developing golf regions. The Kunming office space will be shared with Schmidt-Curley’s sister company, Flagstick Golf Course Construction Management. Flagstick’s pre-construction preparation ensures clients will have a precise understanding of the overall construction process, reducing the inherent risks involved in the project and maximizing efficiency and project execution.
Staffing plans, including management positions, will be announced at a later date. In the interim, Richard Mon, head of Schmidt-Curley’s Haikou office, is the point of contact for all commitments in western China.
“The Kunming office builds on our track record of unparalleled service in China and throughout Asia,” says Brian Curley. “Schmidt-Curley and Flagstick have a rapidly expanding portfolio of clients in western China and are opening the office to provide projects in Kunming, Chengdu and Baoshan with the greatest administrative and logistic support possible.”
Schmidt-Curley’s work in China has been consistently recognized for its excellence. Its Olazabal Course at Mission Hills Golf Club in Shenzhen, China was named the No. 2 golf course in China and No. 4 golf course in Asia at the 2008 Asian Golf Monthly awards. China’s Tianjin Yangliuqing Golf Club, an extensive remodel project, placed third in the magazine’s ranking of “Best Renovations.”
In recent years Schmidt-Curley’s award-winning designs have hosted several professional tournaments in Asia. Mission Hills’ Olazabal Course has been site of the Omega Mission Hills World Cup the last two years and will host the event through 2018; Amata Spring in Thailand recently hosted its third Royal Trophy; and Siam Country Club’s Plantation Course will challenge the LPGA’s best at the Honda LPGA Thailand, February 26 – March 1. The club’s Old Course, a Schmidt-Curley project named Asia’s best renovation of 2008 by Asian Golf Monthly, hosted the 2007 event.
“The establishment of a second Chinese office strongly evidences our sincere commitment to golf in Asia and cements our status as the China’s premier golf architecture firm,” says Curley.
For more information about completed and current projects, visit www.schmidt-curley.com or call 480.483.1994.
About Schmidt-Curley Design, Inc.
Founded by partners Lee Schmidt and Brian Curley with offices in Scottsdale, Arizona; Haikou, Hainan Island, China and Kunming, China, Schmidt-Curley is a full-service, international golf course architecture and master-planning firm with more than 100 layouts in 24 countries, including the U.S., Thailand, China, Vietnam, Mexico, Egypt, Sweden, and Korea. The tandem is responsible for crafting 10 of the 12 courses at storied Mission Hills Golf Club in Shenzhen, China – the largest golf complex in the world.
Schmidt-Curley teamed with long-time partner Nick Faldo, as well as Pete Dye, Jose Maria Olazabal, Ernie Els, David Duval, Annika Sorenstam, Vijay Singh, David Leadbetter and Jumbo Ozaki to create a golf experience unlike any other globally. High profile, award-winning projects from Schmidt-Curley include Bali Hai and Siena Golf Clubs (Las Vegas), Amata Spring Golf Club (Chonburi, Thailand, three-time host of the PGA European Tour’s Royal Trophy), Terra Lago Golf Club (Indio, California, site of the Skins Game from 1999 – 2002), Twin Creeks Golf Club (Cedar Park, Texas) and Crosby National Golf Club (Rancho Santa Fe, California).
Schmidt-Curley has also worked extensively with golf’s biggest names – including Jack Nicklaus, Pete Dye, Fred Couples and Faldo on numerous high-profile projects – and boasts four ASGCA members (Lee Schmidt, Brian Curley, Grant Haserot and Andy Raugust).
Producing demanding yet beautiful and enjoyable courses, Schmidt-Curley strives to create golf experiences that stir the senses and elevate golfers’ appreciations for the land and the game. By balancing classic golf course architecture with ever-changing contemporary technology, Schmidt-Curley places an emphasis on site-adaptive courses, memorable and enjoyable for all levels of play and always designed for cost-efficient maintenance and operations.
Contact:
Shane Sharp
Buffalo Communications
704.519.8381 (cell)
ssharp@billycaspergolf.com
Stephen Reynolds
Buffalo Communications
703.761.1444
sreynolds@billycaspergolf.com