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Barreiro Honored for 53 Years of Service at Sleepy Hollow

SCARBOROUGH, N.Y. (October 15, 2017) – Sleepy Hollow Country Club honored Joe Barreiro, its longtime Caddie and Golf Operations Manager of more than 45 years, with a spectacular event to commemorate his many years at the club. While Joe will not retire until next March, the club invited the entire membership to say their thank you’ s and goodbyes to Joe the day after the close of the golf season. Adding in Joe’s tenure as a young caddie, his service to the members of Sleepy Hollow totals one-half of the club’s 106 years existence.

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Club President Robert Mayer, praised his longevity and loyalty to the members and his caddies. “Over the course of his tenure as the Golf Operations Manager at Sleepy Hollow, Joe never took a sick day. That is over 16,400 days. Joe knows everyone. From Members and their children to a members guest. He remembers guests who have been at the club as a guest once. It impresses not only our members but their guest as well!”

Following a video tribute to the “Times of His Life," former MGA executive director Jay Mottola and Caddie Golf Services Managers Association president Joe Pico  presented Barreiro with a framed scroll honoring his service, dedication, and mentorship he's provided over the years. The Westchester Caddie Scholarship Fund also presented Barreiro with a special commemorative book in recognition of he and Sleepy Hollow's support to the fund.

Finally, representatives of the Western Golf Association representing the Caddie Hall of Fame stepped to the podium and, unbeknownst to Joe and everyone in attendance, announced they were inducting him into the Caddie Hall of Fame. The Caddie Hall of Fame highlights the tradition and importance of caddying by recognizing and celebrating individuals who have devoted their lives to the game of golf through caddying or by supporting the role of caddies. Jeff Harrison, Senior Vice President of the Western Golf Association, praised Joe’s for respecting and continuing to honor the traditions of the game.

The Hall of Fame was created in 1999 by the Professional Caddies Association and founded by Dennis and Laura Cone. The WGA took over formal administration in 2011. Notable members of The Caddie Hall of Fame include Jack Nicklaus, Tom Watson, Gene Sarazen, Charles "Chick" Evans and Sleepy Hollow member, Bill Murray.

Joe grew up in Ossining and found Sleepy Hollow as a 13-year old looking for a job in 1965. Until next March, he will still be in charge of the 80+ young men and veterans of a storied caddie program he built. Sleepy Hollow is one of this country’s most prestigious clubs. The caddie program has always been considered a strong one as an intrical component to its successful golf experience. But Barreiro brought it to another level. His expert training and mentoring of both young men and older has produced results. Nearly 100 of his caddies have qualified for Westchester Golf Association College Scholarships during Barreiro’s tenure.

Sleepy Hollow members take pride in supporting The Westchester Golf Association’s scholarship fund. The club has been recognized nine times (years) as the leading donor to the WGA caddie fund – with the Willie Turnesa Outstanding Club Contributor Award – placing Sleepy Hollow in a class of storied neighbors including Winged Foot GC, Westchester CC, and Quaker Ridge GC. Each year since 2000, SHCC has contributed more than $50,000 providing scholarships to caddies and others throughout metropolitan New York. The club has recently begun a Joe Barreiro Scholarship Campaign that has raised over $75,000 in two weeks from the members of Sleepy Hollow. This endowed fund will provide additional scholarship opportunities to the caddies of Sleepy Hollow.

Barreiro’s program had helped keep golf a walking sport at Sleepy Hollow when often clubs wrestled with the invasion of golf carts over the past several years.

Another key to his success has been his polished communication skills and intimate knowledge of how the club operates. Few can remember names, family members, and guests like Joe Barreiro. Details are important to him, as is providing unmatched service to all those who experience playing golf at Sleepy Hollow.

Barreiro has twice been recognized as Caddie Master of the Year (1993 & 2012) by the WGA Caddie Scholarship Fund – quite a feat to receive this award more than once, in a region filled with esteemed golf clubs.

Joe and his wife of 39 years, Carol, live in Ossining. Son John caddied at Sleepy Hollow for 18 years and is now a Director of U.S. Equity Sales at Bats Global Markets in New York City. Daughter Kendall Pappas is a Senior Analyst for Major League Baseball, Office of the Commissioner, also in New York City.

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