A connoisseur of both the real estate market and the green, our Chris “Schmidty” Schmidt can be found working on his swing when he’s not working on deals for his clients. We sat down with Schmidty to gain a little perspective on his career both on the tees and in real estate. Christened at birth by the words of his own Baptist “May all of your shots split the fairway” Golf is quite literally a part of Schmidty. If you’re lucky enough to share a cart with him, you’re in for a ride full of an unmatched knowledge of the game, and a few incredible stories about growing up in LA. Although he’s well versed in courses all around the South Bay, his hidden gem golf course is about an hour's drive from our pier at Soule Park Golf Course in Ojai. Head a little North to this hidden gem for an unforgettable day on the fairways. This course features sprawling views of the Topatopa Mountains and a parkland style with links-style green structures. If this sounds up your alley, contact Schmidty for more details on this course, he’d love to schedule a tee time with you!
When looking through photos of Schmidty to feature, we noticed he had multiple photos of himself holding a golf ball on each course. Turns out, that photo is a special tradition he holds with his wife. He takes a photo of his golf ball before each tee-off to send to his lovely wife, Anna.
What is it about golf that you love so much?
“It’s a great way to get outside, enjoy nature, and meet new people. I also love how it keeps you honest. Golf can be the most rewarding and also the most frustrating and humbling game on earth. It teaches you respect, perseverance, and humility, and sometimes allows you to do things you never thought were possible”.
Chris takes the many lessons from the golf course into his real estate career, notably his patience and perseverance with his clients throughout all aspects of the home journey.
Favorite course in the South Bay?
"I absolutely love what they have done with Trump National over recent years. They have added more grass to the catch areas making them more playable. My favorite time to play is January - March when the gray whales are migrating just offshore. The green complexes are world-class - always rolling fast and true toward the ocean. For a quick 9 holes, I love Harbor Park. It's a full-length regulation 9 with all sorts of challenges and surprises. It’s a little rough on the outside, but once you get on it, you’ll quickly forget where you are!"
What is your most memorable Golf story?
"About 20 years ago I was visiting family in Illinois and decided to play this little executive 18-hole course just down the road from them. I got paired up with this nice guy Jerry, who could stripe the ball. He must have been rubbing off on me because on the 15th I knocked it in for my 1st hole-in-one! When we got back to the clubhouse, he let me buy him a Coke out of the machine and as tradition stands, he signed my card. When I looked at the signature on the card I was shocked to see, I had just played 18 holes with PGA Professional Jerry Haas and had no idea!"
What can clients expect when they play a round with you?
"Lots of fun! I don’t get competitive with the people I play with. I really just enjoy chasing Old Man Par, having good conversations, and enjoying the outdoors."
Why are you passionate about Real Estate?
"The decision to work with Dave Caskey two decades ago was possibly one of the best decisions I have made in my life. Coming from a long history in the restaurant and hotel industry, the client-first approach that exists on our team makes every day at work feel rewarding. The first thing Dave said when I asked about his business, and the main reason I started working with him was very simple - “It’s never about us, it’s always about our clients”. Working with this team has given me so many opportunities to give back to things I’m passionate about like keeping our beaches clean and sponsoring the Southern California Golf Association Junior Scholarship Foundation."
To schedule a tee time with Chris or learn more about him, click here!
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