Lee Schmidt and Brian Curley of Schmidt-Curley Design — one of the world’s most active and innovative golf-course design firms — have been named GOLF Magazine’s ‘Architects of the Year.’
Their Lava Fields Course at Mission Hills Hainan also topped the publication’s “Best New International” category.
GOLF Magazine reports: “With this year’s Best New International Course and the compelling Stoneforest International Leader’s Peak layout — both successfully created over difficult terrain — it’s time that Schmidt-Curley get to bask in the spotlight. Though based inScottsdale,Ariz., their firm has blazed a trail inChina, with offices inHaikouonHainanIslandand inKunmingon the mainland, and a roster of more than 30 Chinese designs.”
“This award is the culmination of many years of hard work and one that’s shared with all our exceptionally dedicated staff members,” says Lee Schmidt. “We’re incredibly fortunate and honored to work with the best team in golf.”
“Since Lee and I founded the firm in 1997, we’ve been devoted to designing fun-to-play golf courses built on-time and under-budget,” says Brian Curley. “We’re proud of our pioneering ways and very bullish on golf’s future inChinaand throughout thePacific Rim.”
Over the last 15 years, the duo has worked on more than 100 courses in 24 countries. Other projects include the other nine courses at Mission Hills Hainan;Thailand’s Siam Country Club and Amata Spring Golf Club; 10 of the 12 courses at Mission Hills Shenzhen; Southern Dunes Golf Club (Arizona,USA); the renovation of French Lick Resort’s Donald Ross Course (Indiana,USA) and many more.
Other recent media recognition for Schmidt-Curley includes being named Asian Golf Monthly’s “Best Golf Course Architects” and one of Golf Inc.’s “most influential” design companies. The Lava Fields Course at Mission Hills Hainan was ranked among the world’s “Top 100” by Golf World magazine earlier this fall.
Schmidt-Curley www.schmidt-curley.com