Work includes optimizing spectator vantage points at Olazabal Course’s
signature 15th hole
(SCOTTSDALE, AZ) – Schmidt-Curley Design – one of golf’s most active and innovative design firms – announces it has begun prepping Mission Hills Guangdong’s Olazabal Course for the WGC-HSBC Champions, November 1-4.
In anticipation of record galleries, Schmidt-Curley is clearing prime spectator areas of trees and converting their slopes to turf. These changes will be most evident behind the green of the signature, reachable par-5 15th hole. Once completed, hundreds will be able to sit atop a large knoll and look directly back at players as they execute the all-or-nothing carry over a huge expanse of lake.
To facilitate a two-tee start, a new putting green and staging area is also being built near the 10th tee. Expansion of the practice range, including incorporation of a grassed gallery slope, is another project on the docket.
“We’re excited to embark on this work in advance of the HSBC Champions,” says Brian Curley. “These tweaks to the Olazabal Course are sure to impress players and spectators alike and add to the overall impressiveness of Mission Hills.”
Opened in 2004 and host of the World Cup of Golf from 2007-09, the Olazabal Course is a collaborative effort between Schmidt-Curley and two-time Masters champion Jose Maria Olazabal. Majestic vistas of pristine forest and natural flowing streams create outstanding backdrops throughout the round. Numerous deep and treacherous bunkers and undulating, Paspalum fairways are also hallmarks of the par-72, 7,320-yard layout.
The HSBC Champions is one of four World Golf Championships. Sanctioned and organized by the International Federation of PGA Tours, it annually boasts an exceptionally strong field. Past winners include Phil Mickelson (twice), Sergio Garcia and Martin Kaymer. The 2012 edition will feature a US$7 million purse.
Nearly 40 Schmidt-Curley courses, many critically acclaimed, have opened in China over the past decade.
For more information: www.schmidt-curley.com, http://twitter.com/SchmidtCurley, http://www.facebook.com/SchmidtCurley, 480.483.1994.
To view select project images: http://www.flickr.com/photos/60163396@N04/.
About Schmidt-Curley Design
Founded in 1997 by partners Lee Schmidt and Brian Curley, Schmidt-Curley Design (www.schmidt-curley.com) is a full-service, international golf course architecture and master-planning firm. The tandem – leading fully-staffed offices in the USA (Scottsdale, Arizona) and China (Haikou, Hainan Island and Kunming) – has been named GOLF Magazine’s “Architect of the Year” and Asian Golf Monthly’s “Best Golf Course Architects.”
Schmidt-Curley has designed more than 150 layouts in 25 countries. High-profile credits include 10 of the 12 courses at storied Mission Hills Shenzhen – the “World’s Largest Golf Club” – and all 10 at Mission Hills’ new Hainan Island resort. Mission Hills Hainan’s Lava Fields Course is the only Chinese design ranked among Golf World’s “Top 100,” and was named GOLF Magazine’s “Best New International Course” of 2011.
Other award-winning results include Mission Hills Hainan’s Blackstone Course; Thailand’s Siam C.C. and Amata Spring G.C.; Southern Dunes G.C. (Arizona, USA); The Wilderness Club (Montana, USA) and French Lick Resort’s Donald Ross Course (Indiana, USA). The recently unveiled 54-hole Stone Forest International C.C. near Kunming is also garnering global acclaim.
Schmidt-Curley has worked extensively with golf’s biggest names — including Pete Dye, Nick Faldo, Jack Nicklaus and Fred Couples on numerous noteworthy projects — and boasts five ASGCA members (Schmidt, Curley, Grant Haserot, Andy Raugust and Shane Witcombe).
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 satisfying for all levels of play and always designed for cost-efficient maintenance and operations.
Contact:
Stephen Reynolds
Buffalo Communications
703.891.3509
sreynolds@buffalocommunications.com
www.buffalocommunications.com
