Nicolas
Garibay
Innovating agronomy, elevating aesthetics, and fostering future leaders.
A lifetime cultivated in turf, leadership, and legacy.
Nicolas Garibay is a Director of Agronomy whose journey has been shaped by a deep-rooted passion for the land and a commitment to excellence in golf course management. Growing up in a family of agricultural workers, he developed a strong work ethic and an appreciation for the natural environment — laying the foundation for a career dedicated to both the science and artistry of agronomy.
He has worked with prestigious golf courses throughout Florida, implementing innovative agronomic practices and leading teams to achieve exceptional results. His approach blends sustainable turfgrass science with operational efficiency and a relentless eye for aesthetics.
Leadership and staff development sit at the center of his philosophy — a belief that the success of a course is inseparable from the growth of the people who care for it.
Director of AgronomySuntree Country Club
Managing agronomic operations across a 36-hole championship golf facility, practice areas, landscape, and irrigation systems — overseeing a $3.3M annual operating budget and a team of 36.
Leading course improvement initiatives spanning greens restoration, drainage, bunker renovations, bulkheads, and nursery development — all while elevating playing conditions, member experience, and long-term sustainability.
Each decision is a calculated swing.
"When it comes to leadership, I approach my role much like a seasoned golfer navigating a championship course. Each decision is a calculated swing, each challenge a unique hole with its own set of hazards and opportunities."
My focus is on developing a culture of mentorship — ensuring my staff not only meets expectations but exceeds them. Much like a golf coach refining a player's swing, I take a hands-on approach to guiding my team through challenges, offering the tools, knowledge, and encouragement they need to succeed.
Innovation doesn't just come from technology — it comes from people who are encouraged to think differently, take initiative, and push boundaries. My role is to provide that space, to challenge conventional methods, and to ensure that every course under my leadership isn't just maintained, but elevated.
My greatest achievements come from mentoring those around me, pushing boundaries, and leaving each place better than I found it.
Twenty-three years of craft and conditioning.
From the assistant pen at Hawk's Nest to directing $3.3M agronomic operations at Suntree — every season has refined the same conviction: leave every course better than you found it.
Director of Agronomy · Suntree Country Club
$3.3M budget · 36-person team · 36-hole championship facility, practice areas, and full landscape operations.
Golf Course Superintendent · The Club at Ibis
Introduced 'The Blitz Program' to elevate operational efficiency. Developed comprehensive budgeting and forecasting frameworks.
Golf Course Superintendent · Jacaranda West Country Club
Led re-grassing of fairways, tees, and approaches — driving a 50% revenue increase by 2019. Managed capital and agronomic budgets in lockstep with club expectations.
Golf Course Superintendent · The Venice Golf & Country Club
Oversaw a $2.5M strategic renovation: TifEagle greens resurface, TifGrande collars, Celebration Bermuda tees/fairways/approaches, and a state-of-the-art Rain Bird IC irrigation system.
Assistant Golf Course Superintendent · PGA Golf Club
Built a data-driven agronomic program with accredited soil and tissue testing. Pioneered the original 'Blitz Program' to sharpen maintenance workflows.
Assistant Golf Course Superintendent · Hawk's Nest Golf Club
Earliest seasons in the craft — where the foundation of precision, accountability, and pride was set.
Stages where the standard is set.
From PGA majors to FSGA championships, every event sharpens the same discipline — playing surfaces that look effortless because everything beneath them is precise.
Cognizant Classic
100th PGA Championship
Diamond Resorts Invitational
PGA Senior National Championship
PGA National Car Rental Assistant Championship
FSGA 97th Amateur Championship
AT&T HP Byron Nelson Tournament
U.S. Open Qualifiers
Trained.Tested. Continually advancing.
A career grounded in formal turfgrass science, executive leadership development, and ongoing certification — each credential earned in service of higher standards on every course.
Certified Golf Course Superintendent (CGCS)
Florida Golf Course Best Management Practices
Florida Commercial Turf & Ornamental Pesticide License
OSHA Training for Hazardous Materials — Level 2
Syngenta Business Institute
Green Start Academy Graduate
Management & Leadership Development Course
Principles of Turfgrass Management
What colleagues say.
"What needs done, what isn't getting done, he's got a real good eye for all that. Not everybody does. Some people can drive past an irrigation head that hasn't worked for a week and not see anything. There's room to improve and he's always looking to raise the bar."
Conditioning that photographs well.
A glimpse at fairways, bunkers, and turf details from courses prepared under championship standards.
Contact Nicolas Garibay
Available to country club boards, executive recruiters, general managers, and hiring committees. Please reach out directly by phone or email — a personal response is guaranteed.