Election took place as part of the 2019 Golf Industry Show in San Diego

Rafael Barajas, the certified golf course superintendent (CGCS) at Boca Grove Golf & Tennis Club in Boca Raton, Fla., has been elected to a one-year term as president of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) at the association’s annual meeting Feb. 7, held in conjunction with the Golf Industry Show in San Diego. He is the first Hispanic president in the association’s history.

Barajas served as vice president of the association in 2018 and has been a member of the association’s board of directors since 2012. A 33-year member of GCSAA, Barajas is also a member of the Florida GCSA, South Florida GCSA, Palm Beach GCSA, Hi-Lo Desert GCSA, Southern California GCSA and California GCSA.

Born in Mexico, Barajas’s family moved to the United States in 1978 when he was 14. Previously, he was the superintendent at Hacienda Golf Club in La Habra Heights, Calif. In addition, he served as the superintendent at Palm Desert (Calif.) Country Club, the director of golf course maintenance at Desert Lakes Golf Club in Fort Mohave, Ariz., and as a superintendent at various courses for American Golf Corp.

He has a certificate in turfgrass management from the University of California, Riverside.

“Words cannot adequately convey how honored and humbled I am to be elected the 83rd president of GCSAA,” Barajas said. “I will dedicate my full attention and my uncompromising commitment to the position.”

Other elected officers were John R. Fulling Jr., CGCS and grounds and facilities manager at Kalamazoo (Mich.) Country Club, as vice president, and Mark F. Jordan, CGCS and natural resource leader at Westfield Country Club in Westfield Center, Ohio, as secretary/treasurer.

Board members Jeff L. White, CGCS and superintendent at Indian Hills Country Club in Prairie Village, Kan., and T.A. Barker, CGCS and superintendent at Fore Lakes Golf Course in Taylorsville, Utah, were elected to serve again, while Paul L. Carter, CGCS, at Bear Trace at Harrison Bay in Harrison, Tenn., was newly elected to the board.

Kevin P. Breen, CGCS and golf course superintendent at La Rinconada Country Club in Los Gatos, Calif., and Kevin P. Sunderman, director of grounds at Isla Del Sol Yacht and Country Club in St. Petersburg, Fla., continue their service to the board with one year remaining on two-year terms. Darren J. Davis, CGCS and golf course superintendent at Olde Florida Golf Club in Naples, Fla., will serve as immediate past president, while past president Bill H. Maynard, CGCS and director of golf course maintenance operations at The Country Club of St. Albans (Mo.), retires from board service.

In addition, delegates approved a dues increase and three changes to the association’s bylaws.