Pioneering firm driving Hainan Island’s emergence on global golf scene
(SCOTTSDALE, AZ) – Schmidt-Curley Design – one of the world’s most active and innovative golf course design firms – announces three more of its courses have opened at China’s Mission Hills Resort Haikou.
Lava Fields, Meadow Links and The Preserve join the previously announced Blackstone, Sandbelt Trails and The Vintage courses at the RMB 30 billion (US$ 4.4 billion) luxury development in Haikou, Hainan Island. Recipient of sterling initial reviews, the Blackstone Course has already been named host of the 2010 Mission Hills Star Trophy and 2011 Omega Mission Hills World Cup. Plans eventually call for 10 layouts at the resort.
Only 15 minutes from Haikou Meilan International Airport, Mission Hills has transformed a landscape of ancient volcanic terrain into a “must visit” destination for world travelers. Other amenities include a 525-room, five-star hotel; spa oasis; Hainan’s largest mineral springs; 12 world-class restaurants; fully-equipped sports and recreation center; state-of-the-art meeting facilities; opulent villas; resort-themed residential towers and more.
“Our work at Mission Hills Haikou has been exceptionally rewarding,” says Brian Curley. “We were given carte blanche to create playing experiences inspired by our globe trotting. Deep reverence for golf history coupled with our passion for pushing the course-design envelope is on full display.”
The golf courses celebrate design genres and traditions from around the world, while adding several new, cutting-edge twists. All use environmentally-friendly paspalum turf and are easily walkable. This is where the common threads end, however, as varied looks and playing options underscore each layout.
Lava Fields
Similar in some respects to the Blackstone Course with irregular turf lines and rugged bunkering, this course features sand seamlessly transitioning into natural lava rock surrounds. With fewer trees than its sister design, a memorable feeling of expansiveness pervades over 300-plus acres of core golf. Black rock and ever-present sand dominate the landscape like few other courses in the world.
Meadow Links
Incorporating elements of traditional eastern U.S. courses, Meadow Links features lay-of-the-land sensibilities, as well as rough, somewhat geometrically-shaped bunkering and fairway lines. Distinguishing traits like “church pew” bunkers, wide areas of turf punctuated by clusters of trees and native grasses evoke a parkland feel.
The Preserve
With lush landscaping and dense palm plantings, this user-friendly course exhibits attributes often associated with modern design. Sculpted bunkering peppers wide fairways. An abundance of turf and soft containment mounding keeps mis-hits in play and reduces lost balls, making it an excellent course to develop new players and promote a fast-paced, stress-free round.
Blackstone, Sandbelt Trails and The Vintage at Mission Hills Resort Haikou opened for play in March.
Blackstone
Blackstone, a 350-acre core golf course set on a dense bed of lava rock, promises to be one of the world’s premier tournament layouts. It weaves through a striking landscape of mature trees; thick, jungle vegetation; and expansive lakes and wetlands. Wild, irregular bunker edges and transitional sand areas harmoniously converge with volcanic outcroppings framing many holes. Featuring no rough, the hard-line edges associated with most golf courses are non-existent.
Sandbelt Trails
Inspired by the Australian Sandbelt’s iconic courses, Sandbelt Trails is distinguished by large, high-flashed bunkers with crisp, thick lips rising above fairway and green surfaces. The gently rolling site is populated with Eucalyptus trees, further evoking its Australian influences of Royal Melbourne, Kingston Heath and Metropolitan Golf Club.
The Vintage
The Vintage pays homage to the classic American golf courses built at the turn of the 20th century. It has a distinct, authentic feel and is marked by quirky features typically associated with revered courses such as National Golf Links, Chicago Golf Club and others. Abrupt mounding; deep pot bunkers; severe ridges; blind shots and wicker basket pins are highlights.
“As trusted partners of Mission Hills and the Chu Family for more than 15 years – first in Shenzhen and Dongguan, and now on Hainan – we’re honored to continue our integral role popularizing golf in China,” says Curley, whose firm maintains offices in Haikou and Kunming. “The sport’s future growth is undoubtedly tied to Asia, and we’re excited to influence a new generation of players.”
Mission Hills Haikou is central to a Chinese government initiative to make the tropical island a premier international tourism destination by 2020.
For more information about completed and current projects, visit www.schmidt-curley.com or call 480.483.1994.
About Schmidt-Curley Design
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. The tandem is responsible for crafting 10 of the 12 courses at storied Mission Hills Shenzhen – the “World’s Largest Golf Club” – and is currently designing and building all golf courses at new Mission Hills Resort Haikou on Hainan Island.
Other high profile, award-winning projects from Schmidt-Curley include Bali Hai and Siena Golf Clubs (Las Vegas), Amata Spring Golf Club (Chonburi, Thailand, four-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 Pete Dye, Nick Faldo, Jack Nicklaus and Fred Couples 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:
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Stephen Reynolds
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