company Profile

Biography

Lee Schmidt is a native of Carmel, Indiana and graduated from Purdue University in 1970 with a major in Agronomy. After graduation, he began working for golf architect, Pete Dye, where he was a Design Associate for seven years on many projects including Casa De Campo in the Dominican Republic.

Schmidt was then offered a position as Vice President of Landmark Land Company where, for 12 years, he headed their Golf Course Design and Construction Division. During that tenure, he worked on such prominent projects as PGA WEST, La Quinta Hotel Resort and Mission Hills Resort.

Schmidt then accepted a position as Senior Design Associate and spent seven years with Nicklaus Design, gaining extensive international experience. Spring City Resort in Kunming, China, Damai Indah, Jakarta, Indonesia and Nicklaus North, Whistler, British Columbia are a few of the projects where Schmidt was the lead architect that have gained international recognition.

In early 1998, Schmidt formed Schmidt-Curley Design with Brian Curley. Together, Lee and Brian  built numerous world-renowned golf facilities including Amata Spring Country Club in Chonburi, Thailand, Mission Hills Resort in China, Stone Forest International Country Club, Kunming, China and Clearwater Bay Golf Club, Lingshui, China

In 2011, Mr Schmidt was honored by Purdue University as an Old Master, an award given yearly to ten Purdue Alumni who have made a significant contribution in their field since leaving Purdue. Lee is a Member and Past President of the American Society of Golf Course Architects with over 45 years of experience as Superintendent, Architect and Builder.

Biography

Patrick Burton is a native of Columbus, Ohio and graduated from The Ohio State University with bachelor degrees in both Landscape Architecture and Turfgrass Science.

Patrick’s design career began  with Forrest Richardson & Associates, where he served as an Associate Designer on several projects in the Western United States, including the role as Associate Designer for the renovation of Olivas Links and Buenaventura Golf Course in Ventura, California and as Lead Designer for the remodel of the Wigwam Gold Course. In 2006, Patrick went on to join Schmidt-Curley Design where he quickly was promoted to Senior Design Associate. Patrick worked extensively overseas in Southeast Asia, assisting in the design and construction of numerous projects throughout China and Thailand.

Notable projects Patrick worked on as a Senior Design Associate include: Yulongwan Golf Club - Awarded No.6 "Best Course in China" (2016) by Golf Magazine China & Annual Host of PGA Tour China Event (2013-Present); Liaoning Gold Time Golf Club - Awarded 2nd Runner-Up "Best New Golf Resorts" (2011) by Golf Inc. Notable projects Patrick worked on as an Associate Designer include: Mission Hills Haikou - Blackstone Course - Awarded "#1 Best Course in the Asia-Pacific" (2012) by Asian Golf Monthly & Awarded #2 "Best New International Golf Course" (2010) by Golf Magazine; Stone Forest Golf Club - Awarded No. 8 "Best Course in China" (2013) by Golf Digest China; and Binhai Lake Golf Club - Pete Dye Course - Awarded Top 10 "Best New Course in China" (2010) by Golf Magazine & Host of the Volvo China Open (2012-2013). 

In 2015 Patrick established Burton Golf Design which specializes in Golf Course Design & Master Planning around the world. Patrick has been involved with the design and construction of more than 35 golf courses worldwide, serving as Lead Project Architect for 8 courses. Patrick became a member of the A.S.G.C.A in 2013 and contributes regularly to educational seminars covering Golf Course Design and Integrated GPS & Drone technologies. Patrick is also a member of the Arizona Chapter and the Southern California Chapter of the Golf Course Superintendent Association of America. Patrick remains very active in the design and construction of golf courses throughout the world.

Lee Schmidt's Career History

1970

Lee Schmidt Graduates from Purdue University

Lee, an Indiana native, grew up working on golf courses. Lee attended Purdue University earning a Bachelor's Degree in Agronomy in 1970. 

1971

Lee Schmidt Begins Work for Pete Dye

After graduation, Lee began working for golf architect, Pete Dye, where he was a Design Associate for seven years on many projects including Casa De Campo in the Dominican Republic. 

1984

Lee Schmidt Meets Brian Curley at Landmark Land Company

Lee Schmidt met future Design Partner, Brian Curley when he was offered a position as Vice President of Landmark Land Company where, for 12 years, he headed their Golf Course Design and Construction Division. During that tenure, he worked on such prominent projects such as PGA WEST, La Quinta Hotel Resort, and Mission Hills Resort.

1990

Lee Joins Nicklaus Golf Design

Lee Schmidt joins Nicklaus Golf Design as a Senior Design Associate where he will spend much of his time working in Asia. Over the next 7 years, Lee will work on over 20 projects for Jack Nicklaus including courses in Canada, Japan, China, Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia. In 1997 Spring City’s Mountain Course in Kunming, China opened for play, since that time, the Mountain course has been handed dozens of awards and is annually named one of the top courses in China.

1997

Schmidt-Curley Design is Formed

In late 1997 Brian Curley bought out the Golf Design Division of Landmark Golf Company and reunited with Lee. Brian, raised in Pebble Beach, brought an extensive background of master planning to the design/construction process while Lee Schmidt, an Indiana native, approaches architecture with a comprehensive construction and agronomic history. Lee & Brian have been involved in the planning, design, and construction of over 125 courses with a combined experience of over 60 years.

2000

Bali Hai & Shadow Ridge Open

In the year of 2000, two notable Schmidt-Curley courses opened for play in the Southwestern United States. Marriot’s Shadow Ridge with Nick Faldo opened in Palm Desert, California, while Bali Hai opened on “The Strip” of Las Vegas Blvd. in Nevada.

2002

Mission Hills Begins construction of 5 courses in shenzhen, china

In 2002 Construction began at Mission Hills' Dongguan property. Schmidt-Curley showcased their expertise in dealing with extremely difficult terrain, by constructing great, playable golf holes in record time. Across the duration of 18 months, 5 courses were constructed with mountains literally disappearing overnight.  These courses include:

• Annika Sörenstam Course
• David Leadbetter Course
• David Duval Course
• José María Olazábal Course
• Greg Norman Course (Master Planned by Schmidt-Curley)

2006

Inaugural Royal Trophy  Held at Amata Spring Golf Club in Thailand

The prestigious Royal Trophy golf tournament between Europe and Asia’s best players was inaugurated at Amata Spring Golf Club and has been held there annually. Designed by Lee Schmidt, this course features the only floating green in Asia and regularly ranks among the top courses in Asia, including #1 New Course in Asia (Asian Golf Monthly) and #2 Course in Thailand (Thailand Golf Digest 2007).  Amata Spring Golf Club has also played host to the LPGA Thailand Tour Honda Classic.

2007

Schmidt-Curley Design Opens New Office in China

In 2007, the Scottsdale based Golf Course Design firm opened up its first office in Asia. Located on the tropical island of Hainan, China, the fully staffed office in Haikou was located just 30 minutes to the airport and the 10 course, Schmidt-Curley designed, Mission Hills Hainan Resort.

2008

Siam Country Club - Pattaya Plantation Course Is Opened For Play

In March, 2008 the new 27-hole Plantation course opened for play. The “Plantation” name was given in honor of the historic Sugar Cane, Tapioca, and Pineapple plantations, with each 9-hole course named accordingly. This 27-hole facility was a follow-up to Schmidt Curley’s re-design of the club’s existing 35 year old 18-hole golf course, Siam Country Club – Old Course, which is located just 6 kilometers away. Both courses have hosted The LPGA Thailand Tour Honda Classic.

2011

All 10 courses open for play at Mission hills Hainan

In 2011, all 10 Schmidt-Curley designed courses at Mission Hills Hainan opened for play. Construction began in 2007 on tropical locale in China. The unique site features a vast lava rock environment which each course implements in its own unique way. From natural, rugged golf courses of tournament length to manicured par 3 courses, Schmidt-Curley has provided a golf course for everyone. Since opening, the resort has hosted numerous professional tournaments, notably,  The World Cup of Golf, and has racket up various accolades including, "Best New International Golf Course" for Lava Fields and "Best New Course in China" for the Blackstone course.