Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. – Le Moyne College head men's golf coach Joe Tesori '71 has been named the recipient of the Bill Strausbaugh Award by the Professional Golfers' Association (PGA) of America, as the organization announced its 12 National awards on Wednesday. In addition to his head coach duties at Le Moyne, Tesori serves as the PGA Professional at The Pompey Club.

The Bill Strausbaugh Award recognizes a PGA Professional who displays outstanding integrity, character and leadership, through a commitment to mentoring and making significant impacts on the careers of fellow PGA Professionals. The 2016 PGA of America National Awards class will be presented on Wednesday, November 9, in conjunction with the 100th PGA Annual Meeting in New York City.

The following was included in Tesori's profile by the PGA of America:
"Tesori has made a lasting impression on his peers, including serving as president of the Central New York PGA Section from 1999-2004. Across a nearly 40-year career, Tesori has been a leader and mentor to 15 men and women who have gone on to earn PGA Member status, including PGA Secretary Suzy Whaley. A 2002 Central New York (CNY) PGA Section Hall of Fame inductee, Tesori has received a myriad of awards from the Section including: 1995 and 2004 CNY PGA Golf Professional of the Year; 1986 CNY Teacher of the Year (inaugural award); 1985, 1989, 1990, 1992 and 1994 CNY PGA Horton Smith Award; 1997 and 2003 CNY PGA Bill Strausbaugh Award; 1993 CNY PGA Junior Golf Leader; and the 1991 and 1998 CNY PGA Merchandiser of the Year."

As the head coach of the Dolphins, Tesori has led his teams to NCAA Championship appearances in six of his nine seasons. The Dolphins have received three straight berths and have advanced to the National Championships in each of the last two seasons (two of Le Moyne's three all-time championship appearances). This season, the Dolphins turned in their best-ever finish at the national championship by placing 18th with a three-day score of 895. The Dolphins have won the team title at four invitationals in each of the last two years and have placed in the top-two at 12 of their last 19 regular season events.