New coach Santilli well aware of expectations for Greensburg Central Catholic girls golf team

By: Bill Beckner Jr.
Monday, September 2, 2024 | 5:17 PM

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Golf professional Anthony Santilli knew the expectation when he took over as the girls golf coach at Greensburg Central Catholic.

Win it all and pose for photos with the trophy.

That is what the Centurions have done consistently for nearly a decade. It’s what they know.

They are the nine-time defending WPIAL Class 2A champions and have their sights on extending the streak to No. 10.

Maintaining a model of consistency is a challenge for any new coach at any program, but Santilli is just 22 years old, barely removed from his high school and college playing days.

He is the pro at Cedarbrook Golf Course, the annual site of the WPIAL team golf finals.

“With the legacy of the team over the past few years, it would be easy to feel pressure to perform,” Santilli said. “However, the girls on this roster all have the will to put in the work.”

Santilli, who replaced Bob Statler, the coach for two years, said he wants the Centurions to be “one percent better” each day.

“I constantly work with the girls on parts of the game that I observe during matches but also what they may feel that they need to work on,” he said. “This team understands the difference between ‘good’ and ‘good enough,’ and even in the case of a match where we played ‘good enough,’ they debrief what went wrong and how they can improve.

“This is the mindset that you see with winners.”

Santilli is a Central Valley and Point Park graduate who gave up his amateur playing status a few months ago.

He turned pro and turned into a coach. He can give lessons to his members, and players.

“I have been fortunate enough to have some great coaches and mentors throughout the past six to seven years, such as Carmen Costa, Bob Salera, Easton Renwick, David Kuhn, Ron Skiles and Craig Morris,” Santilli said. “They all helped me understand the golf swing and/or short game in their own unique ways.”

He said GCC’s girls often play at Cedarbrook, which is owned by John Stawovy, the course superintendent. His daughter, Alayna Stawovy, plays for GCC.

Santilli heard about the coaching opening while working in the pro shop, and it intrigued him.

“Since I have played my fair share of tournament golf and given my fair share of junior lessons,” Santilli said, “I figured that this would be a great way to pass my golf knowledge down to the younger generation while giving them the ability to compete.”

Santilli also caddied at Oakmont Country Club and served as a groundskeeper at Ironwood Golf Center.

He was asked what was the best shot he has ever it, and he didn’t have to think long. He made a hole-in-one on the 297-yard par-4 second hole at Monongahela Valley Country Club. He used a 3-wood.

GCC, which plays home matches at Mt. Odin Golf Park in Greensburg, won its first five matches.

Top players include senior Erica Rodriguez, who was leading the team with a 45.2 average, and sophomore Kennedy Kelly, averaging 45.6, along with junior Stawovy.

Bill Beckner Jr. is a TribLive reporter covering local sports in Westmoreland County. He can be reached at bbeckner@triblive.com.

Tags: Greensburg C.C.