This past year the Le Moyne men’s golf team placed 18th at the NCAA Championships. They are now looking to build off that momentum this year. They have received three straight NCAA berths and have advanced to the National Championships in each of their last two seasons. The past couple of years have been good to the Dolphins, having placed in the top two at 12 of 19 regular season events and winning four individual events.  

They return five players from last year, seniors John Clare and Troy Garbinski, and juniors Jake Eno, Joe Petrin and Dan Thomas. The class of 2020 has five incoming freshman: Nicholas Barney, Noah Lee, Daniel Leek, Jonathan Petrin and Kyle Reader.

Coach Joe Tesori and his team look to continue their success on the links this Fall and make up for some lost talent such as Aidan Fuller and Dan Edwards. Both were consistently competitive in team competition during the Fall and Spring seasons. With the loss of these players, Le Moyne will rely on solid play from the incoming freshmen.

Dan Thomas, a junior on the men’s golf team, highlighted what is expected and needs to be done in order to reach and surpass the heights of last season.

”We discussed our expectations and everything that we had ahead of us this season at a recent team meeting. There’s no reason we shouldn’t be just as good, if not better, than last year despite losing two huge assets to our team in Aidan Fuller and Danny Edwards. We’re going to have two new guys traveling in our top five along with returning Division II All-American John Clare and my classmate Joe Petrin, we have a lot to be excited about.”

At the end of the day the NCAA Championship is the main focus.

“Come NCAA competition time, we should be part of the top 20 teams in the country to compete for a national championship.”

John Clare, now a senior, looks to build upon last year’s success in which he played a key role in leading the Dolphins.  Each player is focused on putting the team first, John says.

”This year I feel like the team goals and individual goals are the same. We want to do our best to win every tournament we play in and there’s never going to be a time where we don’t feel like we’re one of, if not the best team in the field.”  

John also noted the importance of supporting the incoming players.

“I had the best group of upperclassmen when I came in my freshman year that made the adjustment into college a lot easier. I’m hoping I can teach these new guys a few things before the year is over to help to them get better on and off the course.”  

Thomas echoes this same mentality.

”As a junior, I’m very excited to play a leadership role. Throughout my first two years I looked up to the upperclassmen and wasn’t afraid to ask questions. Last year I learned so much from guys like Aidan Fuller and Danny Edwards. As a freshman, seniors Mitch Hillegas and Dan Molter set a great example.”

He is looking to continue that mentor mentality.

“I’m ecstatic to be able to play that role and set a great example for the younger guys.”

With the guidance of head coach Joe Tesori, a former PGA Tour player, the ‘Phins are in good hands. Just this past month he received the Bill Strausbaugh Award, given by the Professional Golfers’ Association of America. The award recognizes a PGA Professional who displays outstanding integrity, character and leadership through the commitment to mentor and significantly impact young PGA Professionals. Tesori will be will be presented with the award on Nov. 9.

The Dolphins spring into action on Sept. 18 in Annapolis, Md. at the United States Naval Academy where they will compete against Navy and other Division I schools. This is the second straight year they have competed in the tournament. They will try and showcase their talent against some elite programs.