Rafael has spent the last 5 years as
the Director of Tennis at Trump Colts Neck NJ. Rafael was hired by Donald
Trump to aid and coordinate a team of architects responsible for building the
tennis facility at Trump National Golf Club. Rafael laid the ground work
for the necessary initiatives to start the Club’s tennis program directing all
aspects of operation of the tennis program, including professional staff
selection, tournaments, pro shop sales, group and private tennis lessons, men’s
and women’s team practices, children’s camps, social activities and court
maintenance. In his 5 years at the helm he has grown the program to over
300 member families and developed a thriving junior program including
the USTA quick start program, instruction, coaching, events, camps,
tournament and sportsmanship.
Prior; Rafael was the Head Tennis
Professional at Greenwich Country Club from 2007 to 2009.
At GCC Rafael oversaw all aspects of operations including tennis,
platform tennis, and squash programs as well as tournaments, pro shop sales,
group and private tennis lessons, men’s and women’s team practices, kids’ camps
and social activities. In regards to tournaments his passion and
encouragement helped increased tournament participation by 15% year over year.
From 2004 to 2007, Rafael was the
Head Tennis Professional at The Mar-a-Lago Club Palm Beach, FL. This is a
prestigious club and recipient of the 1997 Outstanding Tennis Facility of the
Year (by the U.S. Tennis Court and Track Builders Association) At Mar-a-Largo,
Rafael continued to hone his skills as a professional teaching private and
group tennis lessons to all members, organizing events including club
championships, tennis Pro/Ams, interclub matches, and charity events
including The Annual Donald J. Trump Pro Am Celebrity Invitational benefiting
the Prostate Cancer Foundation. This event annually raises an estimated
$1.4 million. The event has grown into one of the most prestigious
pro/ams in the world including players like Jimmy Connors, Aaron Krickstein Chris
Evert, Bryan brothers, Todd Martin.
Rafael earned his degree at Palm
Beach Atlantic University completing his studies with a 3.64 GPA while earning
Doubles All-American Athlete honors, Scholar-Athlete of the year honors and
Palm Beach Atlantic University Clarke Boetel Award Winner for
outstanding student-athlete for the school year.
Rafael currently lives in Red Bank,
NJ.
Fun Facts: Rafael is fluent in
Portuguese, Spanish, and English. Please feel free to call him Rafael or
Rafa.
