The Legacy of Michael J. Berkeley 

Michael J. Berkeley was born on September 11, 1963, in New Rochelle, N.Y. He enjoyed a happy childhood with his brother, Mark, and their loving parents, Audrey and Red Berkeley. Mike attended St. Gabriel’s and Blessed Sacrament elementary schools. He “ran” Mount Tom Summer Camp for nine years, and played baseball in the New Rochelle Little League. His love of golf began at 12 while caddieing at Winged Foot Golf Club. He caddied for eight years, and his passion for the game not only endured, it deepened. Mike was the first recipient of Winged Foot’s Gene Hayden Outstanding Caddie Award. 

At Iona Prep, Mike played basketball and football, serving as quarterback of his freshman team. During the summer, he attended the prestigious Five Star Basketball Camp in Pittsburgh, a distinction he wore with great pride. He graduated from high school in 1981 and entered Providence College in Rhode Island. There, he played varsity basketball, majored in business, and set his sights on a career on Wall Street. After graduating in 1985, he attended Columbia Business School, where he earned an MBA in 1987. Having interned at Salomon Brothers, Mike joined Merrill Lynch’s sales and trading program. That same year, while on a business trip for Merrill, he met Lourdes Perez, who would become the love of his life. After several years spent honing his expertise, Mike founded his own firm, The Berkeley Group, focusing on securities brokerage, private equity investments, and various golf course development projects. He tragically passed away on September 11, 2001.  

In addition to Winged Foot, Mike enjoyed memberships at Atlantic Golf Club, Muirfield Village Golf Club, and Hudson National Golf Club. 

Above all, Mike was an adoring husband, a caring son, and a devoted father to his two sons, Eric and Jason. 

About the Michael J. Berkeley Legacy Fund: The Michael J. Berkeley Legacy Fund was established in 2001 to memorialize the life of Michael J. Berkeley. Michael’s legacy included a passion for golf, a zest for life, a thirst for knowledge, a belief in helping others, a drive for business success, and a love of family. Today, the Fund is focused on supporting the Berkeley Cup caddie tournament.