FLOSSMOOR, Ill. (April 27, 2021) – For the first time in program history, the Loyola University Chicago men's golf team captured the Missouri Valley Conference Championship title, holding off a furious final-round surge by Illinois State, to earn the second NCAA Tournament berth in program history and first since 2012.
Loyola posted a 54-hole team score of 895 (291-301-303), edging Illinois State (307-306-286=899) by four strokes. The Ramblers entered today's final round with a 19-stroke lead, and allowed the Redbirds to get as close as three shots down the stretch, before holding on for the victory.
"It's very hard to put into words what this means to the guys on the roster," said Loyola head coach
Erik Hoops, who was a player on the 2012 Ramblers team that reached the NCAA Tournament. "They went out and earned one. They put all those lessons we've learned together to work and it paid off in the greatest of ways. When you look at where we were five years ago to now, it just proves that we can compete for MVC championships on an annual basis. I could not be prouder of the guys and how they handled a comeback from a great program like Illinois State. They kept the whole day interesting but we were able to close it out in the end. I'll always remember that feeling of walking off the green for the first MVC championship. It'll hold a special place in this program for years to come."
Senior
Devin Johnson, who led the tournament from start-to-finish, set the pace for the Ramblers and became the first player in school history to finish atop the MVC Championship individual leaderboard. The Geneva, Ill., native carded a 216 (70-71-75) for the tournament to edge teammate
Timmy Crawford (74-76-71=221) and Justin Wingerter of Southern Illinois (74-77-70=221), who shared runner-up designation.
"Devin played some of the best golf I have ever seen over 54 holes," Hoops said. "To beat a field like that so convincingly shows where he belongs in Loyola golf history. He's been one of our best since the first event of his freshman year."
Crawford was exceptional today, firing a one-under-par 71, his best mark of the tournament, to finish with a 221. His birdie on the 18
thhole proved critical in Loyola earning the championship victory.
Justin LaFrance also picked up a top-10 finish for the Ramblers, tying for 10
thplace with a score of 228 (77-73-78). Rounding out the Loyola lineup was
Ryan Magee in a tie for 20
thplace (74-81-79=234) and
Zach Walsh, who tied for 33
rd(73-85-84=242).
Johnson and Crawford earned All-MVC accolades, and Hoops was tabbed MVC Coach of the Year.
The NCAA Selection Show will air May 5 at 1 p.m. CT on Golf Channel.
