Schmidt-Curley Design, a golf-course architecture, master-planning and construction-management firm, opened its new Asian headquarters in Haikou, Hainan Island, China.
With an established 15-year presence in the Asian golf industry, the satellite office will provide Schmidt-Curley with greater administrative and logistic support for its ever-increasing portfolio of overseas projects. Richard Mon, a ten-year veteran of the firm, will oversee and manage all operations and design projects. Mon, fluent in Chinese, holds a degree in Landscape Architecture from Arizona State University.
“Richard Mon brings an incredible amount of energy and experience to our Asian office,” says Brian Curley. “Richard is well-versed in our operations and has played a major role in our ability to capitalize on the Far East’s golf boom over the last ten years."
Immediate staffing plans for the Haikou office include the addition of a half-dozen C.A.D. operators to provide services for both the China and Scottsdale offices. An additional four middle-management positions will also be filled by Chinese Nationals with extensive golf experience.
“With the production capabilities of our two offices, we are able to provide professional services around the clock, offering unparalleled client attention,” says Lee Schmidt. “When something is needed tomorrow, it can easily be done.”
Schmidt-Curley has produced many award-winning Asian projects. Amata Spring G.C. in Chonburi, Thailand was named Asian Golf Monthly’s Best New Course in Asia for 2006, and for the third straight year will host The Royal Trophy, a “Ryder Cup” format competition, involving teams from Europe and Asia, captained by Seve Ballesteros and Jumbo Ozaki, respectively.
Other acclaimed Schmidt-Curley credits include Agile C.C. (North Course) in Zhongshan, China, named one of the top five courses in China by Golf Digest in 2004, and Chiang Mai Highlands G.C., the No. 3 course in Asian Golf Monthly’s 2006 “Best New Course” ranking.
Schmidt-Curley teamed with golf legends such as Nick Faldo, Ernie Els, and Annika Sorenstam to craft 10 of the 12 courses at Mission Hills G.C. in Shenzhen, China, the world’s largest golf complex. Utilizing their background in land planning golf course developments, and partnered with sister company Flagstick Golf Course Construction Management, Schmidt-Curley was responsible for the entire golf and residential master plan for Mission Hills (one of the largest golf course construction projects in history).
Schmidt-Curley is presently engaged with projects in South Korea, China, Thailand, and Vietnam, the latter of which will be featured as part of the new Ho Chi Minh Golf Trail, near the famous Cu Chi Tunnels.
For more information, visit www.schmidt-curley.com or call 480-483-1994.