Joe Tesori ‘71 will begin his 15th season in 2021-22 as head coach of the Le Moyne College men's golf team. Tesori is a member of the PGA National Hall of Fame (2017), The Greater Syracuse Sports Hall of Fame (2013), Central NY PGA Hall of Fame (2002) and the Le Moyne College Gold Wave Hall of Fame (1990). In 2020, Tesori was bestowed the honor bo being named the Labron Harris Sr. Award, which is presented to the coach and PGA professional whose support of the game through teaching, coaching and involvement in the community has helped ensure the continued growth of the game and represent the finest qualities the game has to offer.
The Endicott, N.Y. native was a member of the PGA Tour in 1980-81, served as the Head Golf Professional at the Syracuse University-owned Drumlins Golf Club for 28 seasons and is currently the Head Golf Professional at The Pompey Club. Highly respected in the golf arena, Tesori served as president of the CNY-PGA from 1999-2004, was golf columnist for the Syracuse Post Standard from 1988-2010 and co-hosted a weekly radio program on WSYR AM-570 from 1988-1995. The 1971 graduate of Le Moyne was the first Dolphin to qualify for the NCAA Championship (1971-Chico, California), competing against such luminaries as former Vice President Dan Quale, NBC golf commentator Mark Rolfing and former PGA Tour player/legendary CBS analyst Gary McCord.
Through his previous 14 years at the helm, Le Moyne has been a regular participant in regional competitions (nine times as a team and twice with individuals). Unfortunately in 2020, the Dolphins entered the spring top-ranked in their region by Golfstat, but due to the Covid-19 pandemic, were unable to advance when all NCAA competitions were eliminated. The Golphin Dolphins achieved national recognition by advancing to the National Finals in 2015 (Charlotte, 20th), 2016 (Denver,18th) and in 2017 (Orlando, narrowly missing match play and finishing a school-best 13th). Along the way, many players have achieved league, regional and national recognition. John Clare '17, currently a member of the PGA Tour Latin America, was an honorable mention All-American in 2016 and was named second team All-American in 2017 after earning medalist honors at the NCAA Atlantic/East Regional. Aidan Fuller '16 landed a spot on the GCAA Scholar-Athlete All American team in 2016 and Nick Barney claimed the same honor in 2020.
Coach Tesori has mentored Northeast-10 Conference Champions Kevin Jackson (2008), John Clare (2015) and Nick Bove (2021) as well as having the 2008, 2016 and 2021 teams capture NE10 league titles and with the league bestowing him with Coach of the Year honors. Tesori has had four NE10 Freshman of the Year selections, 14 members earn NE10 All-Conference First Team honors and nine receive second team accolades. Additionally, 16 Dolphins have collected all-region recognition.
Each year, Le Moyne sponsors the Mike Bello Spring Invitational, named after long time area golf professional and Le Moyne coach Mike Bello, who was Tesori’s coach and mentor for years. In conjunction with the Bello, each year's seniors are recognized before round two of the event, with an action photo being presented with parents and athletic department staff making the presentation. Also, each fall, the Dolphins host their Fall Round-Up, which has featured such powerhouse teams as past Division II National Champion Rollins College from Orlando, Florida, and perennial Canadian powerhouse Laval University from Quebec. This event also has included as part of the entry a trip to Syracuse University to watch D1 football, which has included SU Orange victories over nationally-ranked Virginia Tech and a top-ranked Clemson team in 2015. Local private clubs in the area who have hosted Le Moyne in these events have been Drumlins, Bellevue, Cavalry, Lake Shore, as well as upscale daily fee facility Timber Banks. Le Moyne has also been selected to host the NCAA Atlantic/East Regional championships in 2016 and 2020 with Timber Banks the host facility. Also, Le Moyne is a frequent host to the NE10 Championships, having En-Joie GC in Endicott serving as the host in 2010, 2012, 2015, 2018, 2019 and will be host again in 2021. En-Joie was a staple on the PGA Tour for over 35 years as the site of the B.C. Open and since 2008 has hosted the Dick's Sporting Goods Open on The PGA Champions Tour.
The Dolphins have full access to The Pompey Club as their home facility, along with The Syracuse First Tee Facility at Butternut Creek serving as our home range and winter facility, complete with Trackman and Simulators. Having great cooperation from local facilities is a positive plus for our success and it could not be possible without the efforts of golf bodies such as The Central New York PGA Junior Tour, The Syracuse District Golf Association and The New York Golf Association.
Our student-athletes uphold the teachings of our Jesuit Tradition and Heritage and attend various seminars and retreats proclaiming the values of our "Inside The L" initiative for whole person development. Our athletes have also been involved in community efforts including Special Olympics, Francis House and the Syracuse City School System. Proudly, Dan Leek '19, now a police officer with the Erie, Pa. Police Department, was awarded the Athletic Department’s 2019 Leadership and Service Award, which recognizes a student for their commitment to the community and Le Moyne’s ideals of leadership and service.
In the classroom, the Dolphin student-athletes have consistently recorded over a 3.0 GPA with school academic honors gained by Chris Sova, Mitch Hillegas, Aidan Fuller, Steve Bergin, Nick Barney and Nick Bove.
As Coach Joe stated recently, ''It has been a true honor and privilege to coach at my beloved alma mater. The quality of our young men in the classroom, in the community and on the course gives me great pride and I am so thankful to the athletic directors who have shown faith in me, first as a player myself, but most recently as coach: Tom Niland, Dick Rockwell, Matt Bassett and Tim Fenton. It continues to be a dream position for me and we shall continue to represent our Jesuit Traditions as we go forward."
Tesori served on the NCAA Regional Selection Committee for three years, 2014-17, was a high school and collegiate basketball official spanning 41 seasons, was awarded the Catholic Charities Humanitarian Award in 2010 and the National PGA Bill Strausbaugh Award for mentoring in 2016.
Tesori lives in DeWitt with his wife, Lynne, and their family includes daughter Jaclyn, who played collegiate golf at SUNY Cortland, son Joe (Le Moyne '08), who is the CNY-PGA tournament director and former women's golf coach at SUNY Cortland (2013-2020), daughter-in-law Sarah (Cortland '12), a two-time NCAA Gymnastics Champion, and grandsons, Charles and Anthony.
