CHICAGO (May 16, 2021) – The Loyola University Chicago men's golf team will make just its second appearance in program history at the NCAA Division I Men's Golf Championships at the start of the week when it opens play in the Noblesville Regional in Noblesville, Ind.
Ball State University will play host the Noblesville Regional at The Sagamore Club, a Jack Nicklaus Signature design that plays with a par of 72 and features a 7,173-yard layout. Teams will play three 18-hole rounds, with tee times set for 7 a.m. (CT) on both Monday and Tuesday, while Wednesday's final round features tee times beginning at 6:30 a.m. (CT).
The 13-team field for the Noblesville Regional features four teams currently ranked in the Golfstat Top 25, with No. 5 Texas, No. 6 North Carolina, No. 18 Tennessee, and No. 19 North Florida set to join Loyola, Arkansas State, Campbell, Duke, Louisville, South Florida, UAB, UNC Wilmington, and UT Martin, along with a group of 10 individuals.
Head coach
Erik Hoops, who played on the 2012 Ramblers team that reached the NCAA Regionals, will stick with the same lineup that led the Maroon & Gold to its first Missouri Valley Conference title in program history three weeks ago at the MVC Men's Golf Championship in Flossmoor, Ill. That quintet features seniors
Justin LaFrance,
Devin Johnson, and
Ryan Magee, along with sophomores
Timmy Crawford and
Zach Walsh. Redshirt senior
Nick Welden will serve as the Ramblers' substitute.
Johnson spearheaded the attack for Loyola (291-301-303=895) at the Flossmoor Country Club, carding a 216 (70-71-75) that saw him become the first Rambler in program history to take home MVC individual medalist honors. Crawford landed just five shots back of his senior counterpart, turning in a 221 (74-76-71) to earn a share of second-place as both members of the duo earned All-Valley accolades. LaFrance also earned a spot in the top 10, sharing 10
th place with a 54-hole total of 228 (77-73-78).
Golfstat.com will provide live scoring throughout all three days of competition. Fans are also encouraged to follow the official Twitter account of the Loyola golf programs,
@RamblersGolf, for additional updates.
The top five teams and low individual not on an advancing team from the NCAA Noblesville Regional will advance to the final of the 2021 NCAA Men's Golf Championships at the Grayhawk Golf Club in Scottsdale, Ariz., May 28 – June 2.
