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Sleepy Hollow Country Club to Host 2025 Battle of the Bridges

Posted on Oct. 24, 2025  /  Subscribe 0

by Greg Patti

On October 27, Sleepy Hollow Country Club and assistant superintendents Max Serafin and Matt Crawford are looking forward to hosting this year’s Battle of the Bridges tournament. Once known as the Assistants Championship, Battle of the Bridges is an annual showdown between assistant supers from the MetGCSA and the GCSA of New Jersey. Held when assistants are finally done dragging their hoses, this event is a much-anticipated day of competition and camaraderie, giving assistants a well-earned break from the daily golf course grind.

The format is a two-man best ball, with the winner taking home bragging rights—and the trophy. Last year, the GCSA of New Jersey claimed the win for the first time in years. The MetGCSA team is eager to bring the trophy back home in 2025.

About the Venue: Sleepy Hollow Country Club

Sleepy Hollow Country Club in Scarborough, NY, is one of the most celebrated courses not only in Westchester County, but also across the country. Currently ranked 52 on Golf Digest’s Top 100 Courses in America, Sleepy Hollow offers a world-class venue for our friendly rivalry.

Perched high above the Hudson River, the course was originally designed in 1911 by C.B. Macdonald and Seth Raynor, with enhancements by A.W. Tillinghast. More recently, Gil Hanse and George Bahto led a meticulous restoration, reviving its bold greens, signature bunkers, and timeless character.

Sleepy Hollow is consistently recognized for its beauty, playability, and superior design, and we’re lucky to tee it up there this year.

Meet the Hosts: The Sleepy Hollow Turf Team

Matt Crawford, Upper Course Superintendent
Also, in his fourth season at Sleepy Hollow, Matt Crawford brings a wealth of experience and a deep-rooted love for the game. A Michigan native, Matt earned his degree from Michigan State University in 2014 and began his turf career at Baltimore Country Club, where he spent over seven years as an assistant superintendent. 
            He joined Sleepy Hollow in 2022 and now lives in Westwood, NJ, with his wife, Andrea, and their two children, Sophia and Mason.

Max Serafin, Senior Assistant Superintendent

Now in his fourth season at Sleepy Hollow, Max Serafin has become a cornerstone of the agronomy team. He began in 2022 as an AIT and has steadily advanced to his current role as senior assistant superintendent.

Originally from Bozeman, MT, Max holds a degree in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Notre Dame but later pursued his true passion in turf management. He completed the two-year turf program at Rutgers University and gained valuable hands-on experience through internships at Augusta National and Winged Foot.

Max is accompanied every day by his 3-year-old golden retriever, Nashville, who’s become a favorite among the team.

Jonathan Heywood, Director of Agronomy

Sleepy Hollow’s superintendent since 2022, Jonathan Heywood brings an impressive resume of leadership roles at elite clubs. Prior to this role, he served as head superintendent at Morris County Golf Club, East Course superintendent at Winged Foot, and assistant superintendent at Cape Cod National.

A graduate of UMass Amherst with a degree in Plant and Soil Science, Jonathan was born and raised on Cape Cod. He and his wife, Erika, have two daughters, Hunter and Greer, and two dogs, Brody and Atlas.

With a spectacular venue in place, the 2025 Battle of the Bridges is shaping up to be a memorable event. Good luck to all the competitors . . . Let the battle begin!

Greg Patti, a member of the Class C Committee, is an assistant superintendent at Hudson National Golf Club in Croton-On-Hudson, NY.

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