(Editor’s note: Carroll College athletics release)
HELENA — Former Carroll College golfers Ben Gardner and Stephen Santora were recognized by the Golf Coaches Association of America as Srixon/Cleveland All-America Scholars.
They were two of just 23 NAIA golfers to be recognized on the list.
“Not only was Stephen an All-Conference golfer in the Frontier Conference but this is his second year in a row receiving this award,” Saints golf Bennett MacIntyre said. “As a transfer student we only had Stephen for two years, but what a great role model and leader he was in our program and at the school. In his final semester at Carroll he achieved a perfect 4.0 GPA. Ben Gardner is also a two-time recipient of this award, and just a tremendous competitor. While Ben had another year of eligibility left he was able to graduate college in under four years. It’s fun to work with student-athletes like that, they help elevate the program and set standards for others to go after.”
To be eligible for Srixon/Cleveland Golf All-America Scholar status an individual must be a junior or senior academically in Division I, II, III, and NAIA, or receiving their Associate’s Degree and in their last year of athletic eligibility in the NJCAA. In addition, they participate in 50-percent of his team’s competitive rounds, have a stroke-average under 76.0 in Division I, 78.0 in Division II, 78.0 in NAIA and 79.0 in Division III, 77.0 in NJCAA, and maintain a minimum cumulative career grade-point average of 3.2. A recipient must also be of high moral character and be in good standing at his college or university.
