About Us
ROBERT VON HAGGE, SENIOR PARTNER/ARCHITECT
Robert von Hagge was literally born and raised on a golf course. For six years in the 1920's, his father, Ben F. von Hagge, was associated with Donald Ross, the famous Scottish golf course architect. Ben then became a country club manager and developer of club facilities in and around the Chicago area. He won the Chicago District Golf Association Top Turf award seven times in a period of fourteen years in which he competed, while simultaneously managing the various clubs with which he was then affiliated.
Before his 17th birthday, Robert von Hagge had worked as a caddy, a shop boy (cleaning and repairing golf clubs), a caddy master, a golf course maintenance crewman, an assistant greens superintendent, assistant golf professional, and as a commercial illustrator for sporting magazines. After graduating from high school, he entered Purdue University Agriculture School, and majored in landscape architecture. Additionally, he served in the United States Navy's advanced V-12 O.C.S. program. While attending Purdue studying spatial planning and design, he subsidized his student income by freelancing as a commercial artist for outdoor magazines.
In 1955, Dick Wilson, one of America's foremost golf course architects, employed him as an apprentice golf course designer. By 1959, Robert was recognized within the profession as a principal designer with the Wilson firm. By the year's end in 1962, he had been involved in all or part of the design of 40 golf courses in the U.S. and the Caribbean and four foreign countries. Later that same year, he resigned his affiliation with the Dick Wilson Company in order to start his own golf course architectural and design firm.
Today, as Founder and Senior Partner/Architect of von Hagge Smelek & Baril, Robert can boast being intimately involved in the design of more than 240 golf courses world-wide. He continues to hone his skills and maintain hands-on involvement in the creation of distinctive designs all over the world. As part of the award-winning global design team at von Hagge Smelek & Baril, the name Robert von Hagge is synonymous with “premier global golf course architect.”
MICHAEL J. SMELEK, ASLA , ASGCA, SENIOR PARTNER/ARCHITECT
Since learning to play golf at age eleven, Mike Smelek has been fascinated by both the complexity of the game and the diverse beauty of the environment in which it is played. This appreciation for the outdoors and an emerging talent for art led him to pursue a career in Landscape Architecture. While attending the University of Idaho, he set a goal of specializing in golf course design and shortly after graduating in 1980, was given an opportunity to fulfill this passion. In March 1981, he moved to Texas and began his apprenticeship with Robert von Hagge.
In January of 1995, Mike forged a more definitive relationship with von Hagge Golf Course Architects by becoming a Senior Partner, with the distinctive honor of being added to the firm’s name. Now, after nearly three decades and the design of countless golf courses all over the world, Mike continues to utilize his extraordinary talent in all areas of the design and implementation process at vHS&B. His meticulous attention to detail as well as diligence in performance and service continues to garner praise from clients all over the world. As part of the award-winning global design team at von Hagge Smelek & Baril, the name Mike Smelek is synonymous with “premier global golf course architect.”
Education:
- Bachelor of Landscape Architecture – University of Idaho
Professional Status:
- Registered Landscape Architect - #1090 Texas Board of Architectural Examiners
- Member of the American Society of Landscape Architects
- Associate Member of the American Society of Golf Course Architects
RICHARD BARIL, ASLA, ASGCA, SENIOR PARTNER/ARCHITECT
Rick Baril graduated from the University of Idaho with a degree in Landscape Architecture in 1981. Rick worked at a Landscape Architectural design/build firm during college and following graduation. In 1982 he accepted a position with Robert von Hagge. Becoming a Registered Landscape Architect in 1983, Rick simultaneously assumed increased responsibilities with various U.S. and Mexico projects.
When von Hagge, Smelek & Baril ventured into the European market, Rick was designated project architect for that theater. As such he has been instrumental in the design of world-renowned golf courses in France, Spain, Italy, Denmark and Morocco. His efforts have helped von Hagge, Smelek & Baril garner a first ever nomination for the Gold Medal Award for European Excellence (for more see Awards).
In January of 1995, Rick accepted an offer to become a Principal. By doing so, his name was added to the company name. With close to three decades of intimate involvement in every area of golf course design and implementation, Rick continues to bring his enthusiasm and extraordinary eye for design to the forefront of the golf course architecture world. As part of the award-winning global design team at von Hagge, Smelek & Baril, the name Rick Baril is synonymous with “premier global golf course architect.”
Education:
- Bachelor of Landscape Architecture – University of Idaho
Professional Status:
- Registered Landscape Architect - #1205 Texas Board of Architectural Examiners
- Member of the American Society of Landscape Architects
- Associate Member of the American Society of Golf Course Architects
- President, Board of Directors - International Foundation for Junior Golf (IFJG)
- Member - Urban Land Institute
- Golf Course Superintendent’s Association of America (GCSAA)
