Salem State's Santora earns prestigious golf honor

October 20, 2009

By Matt Jenkins, Salem News Staff Writer

Salem State golf coach Steve Campbell remembers Jeff Santora breathing a sigh of relief when he didn't win the Guy Tedesco Award two years ago.

"Travis Dewire from Babson got the award and Jeff said, 'Oh, gosh. I'm glad I didn't win that. I don't want to give a speech," Campbell said.

Santora couldn't avoid the speaking engagement this year, however.

Santora became the third Salem State golfer to win the Guy Tedesco Award when it was handed out Sunday night at the New England Intercollegiate Golf Association banquet, held at The Irish Village in West Yarmouth.

The Guy Tedesco Award is given to a New England golfer from either Division 1, 2 or 3 who excels on the course and in the classroom. It is awarded to someone who shows leadership, sportsmanship and promotes the game.

"I was nervous (delivering the speech). I prepared for it a week-and-a-half ahead of time and had it pretty well. I even had some professors go over it," Santora said after helping the Vikings take the first-round lead among Division 3 teams at the NEIGA Championship at Captains Golf Course in Brewster.

"It was a good speech, but presenting it was the only issue. I started off kind of shaky. Two hundred and fifty people is a lot, but once I got into it I was fine."

Campbell had a feeling Santora would have to deliver that speech some day.

The coach recommended his returning All-American for the award and figured he had a shot to win, even in a strong pool of at least 15 other candidates across New England.

"I was pretty happy (when I found out), but I wasn't too surprised. There were a lot of guys that deserve it," the 21-year-old Santora said. "You can aim for it, but it takes a lot. You have to be a good golfer, but you have to represent the game well and put a lot of time in."

Santora, a Millbury native, has spent six years working at Pleasant Valley Country Club in Sutton, and contributed in many junior golf clinics through Salem State and his club.

Santora joins Kevin Daly and Jason Ruschioni as the only Salem State golfers to ever win the Guy Tedesco Award.

Marblehead's Harry Bane won the award last year as a senior at Middlebury.

"It was nice because only one guy gets it," Santora said. "I made All-America, but 30-something get that throughout the country, and that is (based on) all golf.

"Beating out Division 1, 2 and 3 golfers is something really special. I'm proud of myself."