SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (March 23, 2021) – The Loyola University Chicago men's golf team closed out its two-day stay at the Twin Oaks Intercollegiate today, securing a fourth-place finish in Springfield, Mo.
 
The Maroon & Gold compiled a final-round 299 to finish the 54-hole event at 870 (285-286-299), just a stroke back of third-place Valparaiso (287-287-295=869), which was the only Missouri Valley Conference foe to finish ahead of the Ramblers.  SIUE (290-287-281=858) shot a blistering three-under-par 281 to claim the team title, while the Cougars' Zak Butt used a four-under-par 67 to secure individual medalist honors at 207 (72-68-67).
 
"We've got two options of how we can take this week," Loyola head men's golf coach Erik Hoops stated.  "We can get upset and frustrated that we aren't taking home a trophy, or we can be proud of being one of the low MVC schools, and having a chance to win down the stretch."
 
Senior Devin Johnson finished as the high Rambler on the individual leaderboard at the Twin Oaks Country Club (par 71; 6,760 yards).  Out of Geneva, Ill., Johnson landed fourth overall with a two-under-par 211 (68-68-75), carding a four-over-par 75 during today's final round. 
 
Sophomore Zach Walsh turned in the top 18-hole effort of final-round play for Loyola, firing an even-par 71 en route to moving into a tie for 79^th with a 228 (73-84-71).  Fellow sophomore Timmy Crawford earned a top-25 finish, posting a 77 to earn a share of 25^th at 219 (74-68-77).
 
Senior Ryan Magee recorded a 77 that saw him close the event with a 220 (70-74-76), tied for 31^st, while senior Justin LaFrance tied for 88^th at 231 (76-76-79) following a 79 today.
 
"Four years ago at this event, we were finishing at the bottom of this field, and wondering where we should go from here," Hoops added.  "I think this week proves the strides we've made together.  Although we could always want more, we're going to take the positives and keep running through our schedule over the next month.  The teams that passed us today played some unbelievable golf in some truly adverse conditions.  All credit goes to them for going out and playing that well."
 
Loyola is back out on the road next week, March 29-30, at the Butler Spring Invitational in Indianapolis, Ind.