Lou Barbaro

Who was Lou Barbaro?

Louis Barbaro was a professional golfer and club pro.

Barbaro was born in Harrison, New York. His parents were immigrants from Barile, Italy, named Daniel "Donato" Barbaro and Carmella Teresa Paternoster Barbaro. He was one of seven sons. All of his six brothers enjoyed golfing.

Barbaro became the golf team captain for Harrison High School beginning in his sophomore year For three years following with Barbaro as their captain, Harrison High School's golf team remained undefeated. On July 25, 1933, Barbaro became the Westchester County Caddie Golf Champion, turning in 150-total for 36 holes at the Green Meadows Golf Club in Harrison, New York.

Barbaro, at the age of 23 years old, won the Providence Open on September 28, 1941, with a record 273, which was 15 under par and at least 6 shots or more ahead of Sammy Byrd, Sam Snead, Gene Sarazen, Toney Penna, Herman Barron, and Lawson Little. He gave the mere $1,200 Providence Open winnings to his younger brother, Tony to pay for medical school.

Barbaro became a pro at the Green Meadows course in Harrison, New York at the age of 19.

Only one year after becoming a member of the National Professional Golfers' Association, Barbaro beat the notoriously-tough Winged Foot Golf Club's record scoring 69, 3 under par. He played the first eight holes in 35, four above the regulation. He had bogies on the 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th holes, and was all for quitting. But, comes a 9th and a birdie, the 10th and a birdie, the 11th and a birdie, the 12th and another birdie, the 13th and a par, the 14th and an eagle, the 15th and a birdie, and the 16th still another birdie. To recapitulate, his score at Winged Foot was eight under par for eight consecutive holes, the 9th through the 16th. The 14th hole eagle was something in itself; it was a par four, 383-yarder. He smashed his tee shot straight down the middle and then holed a niblick from more than 100 yards out. In the newspaper article documenting this, they quoted "Gee whiz, he must have a magnet, or something." That day, Barbaro had four pars, seven birdies, one eagle, and six bogies; and the wind was blowing at a good clip throughout the afternoon.