Arizona-based architect Brian Curley has been appointed to the American Society of Golf Course Architects’ board of governors.

Curley, who started Schmidt-Curley Design with Lee Schmidt in 1997, will serve a three-year term starting from ASGCA’s annual meeting in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida in March.

 “It's an honour to be so well regarded by peers,” said Curley. “ ASGCA is America's oldest and most prestigious professional organisation for golf course architects. I look forward to continuing its important role effecting positive change in our industry.”

The Pebble Beach-raised Curley heads up one of current golf architecture’s most successful firms. Schmidt-Curley has been a leader in the development of golf in China; it masterplanned Mission Hills Golf Club and is architect of record for ten of the resort’s 12 courses, including the Olazabal course, host of the last three World Cups. The firm has two Chinese offices in Haikou and Kunming.