DES MOINES, Iowa (October 1, 2019) – The Loyola University Chicago men's golf team used an all-around team effort during final-round play to claim the team title at the Zach Johnson Invitational in Des Moines, Iowa.
 
The Ramblers carded a 287 today at the Glen Oaks Country Club (par 71, 6,898 yards) to finish atop the team leaderboard with a 54-hole total of 888 (300-301-287), outdistancing MVC rival Valparaiso (295-308-287=890) en route to its first team victory since the 2014-15 season.
 
"I don't know if I've ever seen a more balanced team win than this week," Loyola head men's golf coach Erik Hoops said.  "We received contributions from everyone and some amazing play today after sleeping on the lead last night, something that is never easy to do for the first time.  The guys played great, stuck to our gameplans, and executed quite well."
 
Sophomore Nate Vance closed Loyola's two-day stay in Iowa's state capital as the top Rambler on the individual leaderboard.  The Marshalltown, Iowa native turned in a final-round three-over-par 74 to earn a share of second place with a 216 (71-71-74).  Vance finished just a stroke shy of Valparaiso's Garrett Willis, who posted a 215 (72-73-70) to take home individual medalist honors.
 
Freshman Timmy Crawford used a breakout performance to find his way into the top 10.  Crawford played error-free golf, racking up three birdies as part of a sparkling three-under-par 68, the low individual round of the event for the Maroon & Gold.  He finished as part of a tie for ninth place at 221 (77-76-68).  Fellow freshman Zach Walsh shot his second three-over-par 74 in as many rounds to tie for 19^th with a 227 (79-74-74).

Like Crawford, the junior duo of Devin Johnson and Tyler Anderson each turned in their top 18-hole showings of the event today.  Johnson closed play as part of a tie for 26^th with a 228 (73-83-72) following a one-over-par 72, while Anderson, bolstered by Loyola's lone eagle of the last two days, turned in a two-over-par 73 to finish tied for 44^th at 234 (81-80-73).  Freshman Nolan Doherty, who competed as an individual, placed 74^th with a 283 (101-88-94).
 
"We wanted to come in and beat all the MVC schools, did that, and we're bringing home a trophy," Hoops concluded.  "These guys deserve a ton of credit for the work they've put in, so it's good to see it pay off this week.  We're excited to get back on the road at Dayton in two weeks to continue our good play."
 
Loyola will be idle next week ahead of a trip to Kettering, Ohio for the Flyer Invitational, October 14-15.