Robert Zur Schmiede stood only steps from the first hole at Aliso Creek Inn & Golf Course, but he wasn't there to play.
No, his purpose Sunday was much more serious, to kick off his campaign for Laguna Beach City Council, and Mark Christy, owner of Aliso Creek Inn, had offered the place for the event.
Supporters gathered to hear Zur Schmiede's ideas. The guest list included City Council members Toni Iseman, Kelly Boyd and Steve Dicterow, former Councilwomen Kathleen Blackburn and Verna Rollinger, along with Festival of Arts board President Fred Sattler.
Zur Schmiede, chairman of the Planning Commission, announced in January that he would be running for council. He has spent 13 years on the commission and 14 months on the Design Review Board.
His campaign is centered on five themes: protecting Laguna's quality of life; practicing fiscal responsibility; promoting non-partisan government; pursuing local economic development; and planning for the future.