STANDISH, Maine – Saint Joseph's College senior Michael Caron (Gorham, Maine) was chosen as the 2016 New England Intercollegiate Golf Association (NEIGA) Guy Tedesco Award recipient at the 82nd Annual NEIGA Championship Awards Banquet on Saturday evening.

The award is presented each year to the Outstanding New England college golfer who has made a significant contribution to college golf in the areas of active participation, exemplary behavior, promotion of the game, leadership and cooperation with others, and sportsmanship.

The banquet, attended by all players and coaches from the 32 participating teams and invited guests, was held at The Doubletree by Hilton Hotel in Hyannis, Massachusetts.

"Receiving the Guy Tedesco award was a tremendous honor, not only as a golfer but on a personal level as well," adds Caron. "The award represents a golfer who works hard to make the game better, and to be recognized for this made me realize that not only has the game impacted my life, but that I may have had an impact on the sport, however small, during my time as a player."

Caron, a three-year team captain, has played a major role in elevating the Saint Joseph's golf program to new heights as the Monks have won 13 tournaments over the last two seasons, including a pair of Maine State Championships and the 2016 Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) title last weekend.

With the GNAC Championship, Saint Joseph's earns the program's first-ever berth into the NCAA DIII Championship Tournament, which will be held at the Mission Inn Resort in Howey-in-the-Hills, Florida May 16 – 19, 2017.

In four seasons, Caron has played in 50 events with 10 Medalist honors and 30 top-10 finishes while averaging 155.4 strokes in 36-hole events and 75.5 strokes in 18-hole tournaments. The three-time NEIGA All-New England honoree ranks as the Monks' all-time leader in total events and medalist honors.

Perhaps the most decorated player in the history of the Saint Joseph's golf program, Caron has garnered 22 accolades during his collegiate career. He has been honored with a GNAC weekly award on 11 occasions and was chosen as the ECAC DIII Co-Golfer of the Month in October of 2014.

"This award honors someone who is not only a great golfer, but also a great individual and Michael certainly fits the description for both," adds Head Coach Jamie Smyth '92. "He will go down as one of the best golfers in program history and is an outstanding young man and team player."

Two other awards were given at the banquet, as the Gordon McCullough Award was presented to UMass Dartmouth Head Coach Joel Baptista for outstanding service to college golf and the George A. Jacobson Special Recognition Award was presented to Mark O'Brien, Director of Golf at The Captains Golf Course. Mark has hosted the NEIGA Championship for the past 17 years.

On the plaque: 

Presented to the 2016 outstanding New England College golfer who displayed the qualities Guy Tedesco was noted for: unselfish leadership, outstanding talent, love of golf, and a willingness to promote the positive aspects of golf to others. The NEIGA honors you and wishes you continued success.

Michael with his parents, James and Jacqueline Caron

(L-R): Cam Letourneau, Adam Batchelder, Brandon Labrecque, Adam Hachey, Michael Caron,  and Head Coach Jamie Smyth

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Saint Joseph's College is Maine's only Catholic liberal arts college, providing a supportive, personalized and career-focused education for more than 100 years. From its 474-acre campus on the shores of Sebago Lake, the College offers more than 40 undergraduate programs to a population of approximately 1,000 students. Saint Joseph's College Online provides certificates, undergraduate and advanced degrees for working adults through an online learning program. For more, visit www.sjcme.edu.