GCSAA members selected through Farmers Insurance Open’s Growing Golf initiative to increase diversity, equity and inclusion in the game of golf
Lawrence, Kan. – Justin Bailey, assistant golf course superintendent at the Whitford Country Club in Philadelphia, Pa., and Vlahdemir Cruz, golf course superintendent at Laguna Lake Golf Course in San Luis Obispo, Calif., have been selected to participate as volunteers on the agronomy team for the PGA Tour’s Farmers Insurance Open (FIO), Jan. 18-25, 2025, on the historic Torrey Pines North and South Courses.
The Golf Course Superintendents Association (GCSAA) has partnered with the Century Club of San Diego, Farmers Insurance and the City of San Diego as part of the Farmers Insurance Open’s Growing Golf initiative to increase diversity, equity and inclusion in the game of golf. Applications were reviewed by GCSAA’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Advisory Council and the GCSAA’s Women’s Task Group for clarity and thoroughness.
Cruz, a seven-year GCSAA member, said, “Volunteering for the 2025 agronomy team aligns perfectly with my passion for golf course management and my eagerness to learn from experienced professionals. My commitment to this field drives me to continuously learn and improve, and I am excited about the potential to make a positive impact in this industry.”
As participants, Bailey and Cruz will receive an all-expenses paid trip to San Diego through this partnership to gain insight and experience in the operations of a major PGA Tour event, which includes networking with industry professionals from across the country. Volunteers will assist in the setup of the course for competition by performing various duties such as data collection, divot repair, bunker preparation and more duties as needed.
“Volunteering for the 2025 agronomy team will be a great way to network with people I may not cross paths with due to our locations,” Bailey, a one-year GCSAA member said. “It will also be a great learning experience to see how tournament courses prepare for such an intense week and weekend of golf, and I will be able to take away pointers to use at my course and in the future.”
About GCSAA
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 more than 19,000 members in more than 78 countries. The association’s mission is to serve its members, advance their profession and improve communities through 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 GCSAA Foundation is the philanthropic organization of the GCSAA. Its mission is to secure funding and support to strengthen advocacy, education, and research that advances the work of golf course management professionals. Visit the Foundation at www.gcsaa.org/foundation.
About The Century Club of San Diego
The Century Club of San Diego (CCSD) is a 501(c)(3) that operates the FIO to benefit the community economically and charitably. Since 1961, The Century Club has used golf as the platform to showcase San Diego to an international audience, generate revenue for the city and make a difference in our community by creating programs that benefit at-risk and underserved youth charities. Visit https://www.farmersinsuranceopen.com/impact to learn more.
