Prestigious Presidential Appointment for Schmidt

Scottsdale, Arizona, United States: Asian Golf Industry Federation member Lee Schmidt has been appointed to the prestigious role of President of the American Society of Golf Course Architects (ASGCA).
Founded in 1946 by Donald Ross, Robert Trent Jones and 12 other distinguished golf course architects, the ASGCA is the oldest professional organisation of golf course designers in America.
“This is a tremendous honour, not just for me but also for Schmidt-Curley Design,” said Schmidt, a Principal at the award-winning Schmidt-Curley Design and a stalwart of the industry for more than 40 years.
Schmidt, aged 66, is taking over the ASGCA Presidency from Rick Robbins and will hold the post for one year.
During his tenure, Schmidt’s main responsibilities will be to represent the ASGCA at golf industry events, chair the annual meeting, and be the spokesperson for the organisation.
Schmidt was raised in 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 for Nicklaus Design where he gained 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, they have 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.

Since the ASGCA’s inauguration 68 years ago, its members have designed, renovated and counselled thousands of golf courses around the world, from layouts that host Major golf tournaments to practical courses and alternative facilities that welcome new players.
All ASGCA members have completed of a minimum of five major golf course projects and are peer-reviewed by the ASGCA membership, ensuring that all ASGCA members are qualified and well-seasoned in golf course design with a trained eye for both functional and aesthetic excellence.
ASGCA is actively involved in promoting environmentally responsible golf course designs.
Based in Scottsdale, Arizona, USA, Schmidt-Curley Design has two fully-staffed China offices (in Haikou and Kunming) to promote quicker mobilisation, lower travel costs and other valuable advantages over competitors.