Election took place as part of the 2018 Golf Industry Show in San Antonio.
Lawrence, Kan. (Feb. 8, 2018) – Darren J. Davis, the golf course superintendent at Olde Florida Golf Club in Naples, 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. 8, held in conjunction with the Golf Industry Show in San Antonio.
Davis, a certified golf course superintendent (CGCS), served as vice president of the association in 2017 and has been a member of the association’s board of directors since 2012. A 28-year member of GCSAA, Davis is a past president of the Everglades GCSA and a past president of the Florida GCSA and Florida Turfgrass Association. He is currently a director with the Musser International Turfgrass Foundation. In 2004, the FGCSA honored him with its Distinguished Service Award, and in 2011 the FTGA presented Davis with the Wreath of Grass – the association’s highest award.
A native of Tallahassee, Fla., he earned a turfgrass management certificate from Penn State University in 1991. He also obtained an associate in arts degree from Tallahassee Community College in 1987 and a bachelor of arts degree in communications from Florida Gulf Coast University in 2007.
“Becoming president is a privilege that I don’t take lightly,” said Davis. “I hope I am able to give the association back even a fraction of what it’s given to me.”
Other elected officers were Rafael Barajas, CGCS and director of golf course operations at Boca Grove Plantation in Boca Raton, Fla., as vice president, and John R. Fulling Jr., CGCS and grounds and facilities manager at Kalamazoo (Mich.) Country Club, as secretary/treasurer.
Board members 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., were elected to serve again. While T.A. Barker, CGCS and superintendent at Fore Lakes Golf Course in Taylorsville, Utah; and Jeff L. White, CGCS and superintendent at Indian Hills Country Club in Prairie Village, Kan., were newly elected to the board.
Mark F. Jordan, CGCS and natural resource leader at Westfield Group Country Club in Westfield Center, Ohio; continues his service to the board with one year remaining on his two-year term; while past president Peter J. Grass, CGCS and golf course superintendent at Hilands Golf Club in Billings, Mont., retires from board service.
In addition, delegates voted to approve 11 changes to the association’s bylaws.
2018 Golf Industry Show highlights
The GCSAA Education Conference, held in conjunction with the Golf Industry Show, is the largest educational conference in the turfgrass management industry. A total of 5,600 seminar seats were filled. In addition, thousands attended complimentary forums, sessions and panel discussions throughout the week. Subject matter included agronomics, business, environmental management, communications, leadership, technology, and personnel management.
GIS total attendance was 11,700. The two-day trade show included 531 exhibitors covering 184,400 square feet of exhibit space at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center.
The 2019 Golf Industry Show will head to San Diego, Calif., Feb. 2-7.
In other news from the Golf Industry Show:
– Matt Cowan, superintendent at the Hills Course at The Hills at Lakeway in Austin, Texas, won the GCSAA National Championship in the final round at The AT&T Oaks Course at TPC San Antonio, with a two-day total of 2-over-par. (LINK TO http://www.gcmonline.com/gis18/2018/02/06/texas-twofer-cowan-claims-second-gcsaa-national-championship)
– The First Green Foundation and GCSAA have signed a memorandum of understanding that will bring First Green under the umbrella of the GCSAA’s philanthropic organization, the Environmental Institute for Golf (EIFG). (LINK TO https://www.gcsaa.org/media/news-release/2018-news-releases/2018/02/07/first-green-and-gcsaa-announce-partnership)
– A team from Auburn University won the annual GCSAA Collegiate Turf Bowl Competition, which was presented in partnership with John Deere Golf. (Link to: http://www.golfindustryshow.com/gcsaa-education-conference/student-activities/turf-bowl)
About GCSAA and the EIFG
The Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) is a leading golf organization in the United States. Its focus is on golf course management, and since 1926 GCSAA has been the top professional association for the men and women who manage golf courses in the U.S. and worldwide. From its headquarters in Lawrence, Kan., the association provides education, information and representation to nearly 18,000 members in more than 78 countries. The association’s mission is to serve its members, advance their profession and enhance the enjoyment, growth and vitality of the game of golf. Visit GCSAA at www.gcsaa.org, or find us on Facebook or Twitter. Visit our industry-leading magazine at GCMonline.com.
The Environmental Institute for Golf is the philanthropic organization of the GCSAA. Its mission is to foster sustainability through research, awareness, education, programs and scholarships for the benefit of golf course management professionals, golf facilities and the game. Visit EIFG at www.eifg.org, or find us on Facebook or Twitter.
Contact:
Angela Hartmann
Senior Manager, Corporate Communications
Phone: 800-472-7878, ext. 3647 or 785-393-1361 (cell)
ahartmann@gcsaa.org
