Meet Brian Curley of Schmidt-Curley Design

Today we’d like to introduce you to Brian Curley.

Brian, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I was raised in Pebble Beach, Ca, home of many of golf’s greatest courses. I played and caddied these courses from a young age, decided when I was 13 I wanted to design golf courses for a living. I went on to Architecture School at Cal Poly SLO and started working in the golf business essentially right out of school

I worked with one of the greatest modern designers, Pete Dye, and over thirty years later am still at it. The earlier work was in the Southwest US, mainly Southern California, mostly the Palm Springs region. The last twenty years I have been focused largely on Asia including many courses in China.

We have been named GOLF Magazine’s architect of the year and named by Golf Inc as the 4th most influential golf architect in the business. Asian Golfer has named us the Best Architect in Asia for the past seven straight years. We are easily one of the most active and respective firms in the world today.

Much of my current work is in Vietnam on some fantastic oceanside sites. We office in my studio at home in Paradise Valley.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I would say it has been quite a quick paced ride from the get-go. We initially were busy in the Southwest but soon focused on the growing Asian market and, as one of the few firms to office there, we became very busy.

The biggest struggle was when China, under new leadership from the current President Xi, decided to enforce the ban on golf courses. This created a serious “hitch in my get up” and I had to greatly reduce our staff and focus on new markets.

The result has been a lot of new work in a very exciting country Vietnam., but also I am working in Thailand, Myanmar, India, China and more.

Our work is extremely word of mouth and worldwide, not your typical fare.

Schmidt-Curley Design – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Although the focus is golf course design, my background is in master planning so, unlike most firms, we get involved in the early stages. Being new markets with novice developers, outcall to duty morphs into the Imagineering end of the spectrum as well.

Our biggest accomplishment would be the huge project in China, Mission Hills Golf Club where I did 22 courses for one client. We have numerous awards and accolades and courses in the top 100.

Our commitment to providing not just plans but boots on the ground site presence and committing to the travel and time overseas sets us apart.

What is “success” or “successful” for you?
My success is measured by the success of our clients and their projects. At the same time, it is all a joyride for me, a way to do what I love and travels the world doing it making friends in odd, remote places along the way.

I hope that I am able to provide people the joy of golf /sport and an appreciation of the outdoors and camaraderie of friends and family.

Contact Info:

• Address: 5261 West Kasba Circle
  Paradise Valley AZ 85253
• Website: schmidt-curley.com
• Phone: 480 483 1994
• Email: bcurley@schmidt-curley.com

Getting in touch: VoyagePhoenix is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.