Although based in Scottsdale, Ariz., Schmidt-Curley has worked in Asia for more than 15 years. During this time it has opened satellite offices in Haikou, China and Kunming, China and forged a reputation as one of the continent's premier golf-course architecture firms. It finished runner-up to Jack Nicklaus in the "Best Architect" category and co-founder Brian Curley was named "Golf Personality of the Year."
Schmidt-Curley's recently-completed Plantation Course at Siam C.C., host of the Honda LPGA Thailand, was tabbed the "Best Maintained Course in Asia," and Chiangmai Highlands was named the country's No. 3 course. Rounding out the accolades is perhaps Schmidt-Curley's most famous project to date, China's Mission Hills Golf Club, which was named "Best Golf Resort in Asia" for the fourth consecutive year.
"It's gratifying to be consistently ranked among the best golf course designers in Asia," says Curley. "Our leading position is evidence of the high-quality, on-time and under-budget designs we deliver without fail, no matter how big or small the project."
Chiangmai Highlands is a par-72, 7,000-yard championship course featuring mountain views and lush vegetation. Several holes integrate the streams and lakes dotting the property, and more than 100 fairway and greenside bunkers necessitate deft shot-making.
The Plantation Course at Siam C.C. in Chonburi, Thailand opened in 2008 and is located on the site of a former pineapple and tapioca plantation. Its Seashore Paspalum fairways snake around the property's prominent large ravines. Significant elevation changes abound, offering several spectacular vistas of Pattaya's beaches and the Gulf of Thailand approximately seven miles to the west.
Schmidt-Curley master planned massive Mission Hills Golf Club and is architect of record for 10 of its 12 courses including the acclaimed Olazabal Course, host of the Omega Mission Hills World Cup later this month for the third consecutive year. From 2002 to 2004, the firm and its sister company, Flagstick Golf Course Construction, oversaw perhaps the most ambitious golf course construction project in history when five Mission Hills golf courses were completed in a 14-month span.
"Our extensive experience makes us well-prepared to handle any project," says Curley. "Jungle or open prairie, desert or seaside, we'll create the course you need to run a profitable operation without sacrificing quality, ingenuity or playability."
