Heralded lakeside layout boasts Asia’s only floating green
(SCOTTSDALE, Ariz.) – Schmidt-Curley Design – the full-service golf-course architecture, master-planning and construction-management firm – announces its award-winning design, Amata Spring Country Club in Chonburi, Thailand, will host Tiger Woods for a charity skins game, November 8.
The par-72, 7,470-yard layout is ranked the No. 4 golf course in Thailand by Golf Digest and was named Asian Golf Monthly’s “Best New Course in Asia” for 2006. Approximately 45 minutes outside Bangkok, it is distinguished by several lakeside holes, over 100 bunkers and Asia’s only floating green, the 145-yard par-3 17th.
Weighing 700 tons, the 17th green features a façade of bulkheads to conceal the floatation infrastructure. Approximately 7,500 feet in size, the engineering feat is smaller than the infamous par-3 17th at TPC Sawgrass’ Stadium Course and a true “island” — a boat ferries players from tee to green.
“Amata Spring is an ideal test for today’s professionals,” says Lee Schmidt, founder and principal of Schmidt-Curley Design. “Although more than 7,400 yards in length, it features challenging par 3s, several short par 4s and par 5s that will tempt aggressive and exciting play.”
As four-time host of the Royal Trophy, a “Ryder Cup” format competition between eight-man teams from Europe and Asia, Amata Spring is no stranger to professional events. It joins Mission Hills Shenzhen’s Olazabal Course (Omega Mission Hills World Cup), Siam Country Club’s Old and Plantation Courses (Honda LPGA Thailand), and Mission Hills Haikou’s Blackstone Course (Mission Hills Star Trophy and 2011 Omega Mission Hills World Cup) as other Schmidt-Curley credits with professional pedigrees.
England’s Paul Casey, Colombia’s Camilo Villegas and Thailand’s Thongchai Jaidee will join 14-time major winner Woods for the skins game to celebrate Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s 60th year on the throne.
A consistently high finisher in Asian Golf Monthly’s “Best Golf Course Architect” rankings, Schmidt-Curley has two fully-staffed Asian offices (Haikou and Kunming, China). This promotes quicker mobilization, lower travel costs and other valuable advantages over competitors.
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 for all levels of play and always designed for cost-efficient maintenance and operations.
Contact:
Shane Sharp
Buffalo Communications
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ssharp@buffalocommunications.com
www.buffalocommunications.com
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Stephen Reynolds
Buffalo Communications
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