Ramblers Golf Faces Adversity During Tournaments

Loyola’s men’s and women’s golf teams each went to separate invitationals Sept. 16-17. The women went to Hoover, AL for the Hoover Invite, hosted by the University of Alabama-Birmingham, while the men’s team traveled to Davidson, NC for River Run Intercollegiate, hosted by Davidson College.

Women’s Golf 

The women’s team finished their 54-hole tournament in 12th out of 14 teams. 

The Ramblers finished the competition with a total of 938 strokes (307-312-319). The University of Alabama-Birmingham took the top spot with a score of 871 strokes (296-286-289). On the individual side, second-year Gabi Nicastro of Samford University took the top overall spot with a score of 211 strokes (68-70-73). 

First-year Grace Hui ended the tournament with her best career performance and the team’s lowest score, closing in at 227 strokes (77-72-78) and a tie for 31st place. She secured her career-best round in the second round with an even-par finish. 

Head coach Brandy Johnston said Hui’s performance was impressive to witness and highlighted her persistence throughout the tournament. 

“Grace Hui had her most consistent performance to date,” Johnston said. “She showed a lot of mental toughness, finishing her final 13 holes at one-over par. It’s been fun to watch her growth as a player over these past few weeks.”  

Second-year Grace Durkin also had a career best round, going two over par at the end of the first 18 holes. Durkin finished the event in 82nd place with a score of 242 (74-79-89). 

Fourth-years Jolie Brochu (77-79-82), Cate Reisinger (79-82-77) and second-year Cassie Psuik (78-78-82) all finished in a tie for 66th with scores of 238 strokes. 

Johnston said the continuous travel and play during the past few weeks has negatively affected the team. 

“This is our third straight weekend on the road,” Johnston said. “I think the fatigue got the best of us midway through the second round.” 

The Ramblers have some time off before heading to Indianapolis, IN for the Butler Invitational Sept. 30 through Oct.1. 

Men’s Golf

Due to the heavy rainfall, only two rounds of golf at the men’s tournament were recorded. Out of 11 teams, The Ramblers finished in a tie with East Carolina University for third place. 

Loyola’s final score for the tournament was 593 (293-300). Hosts Davidson College took first place with a total of 581 strokes (299-282), while Davidson redshirt third-year Joshua Stewart took home individual top finish honors with a score of 140 (72-68). 

Loyola’s top scorer was third-year Charlie Kulwin, who finished in a four-way tie for second place with a score of 143 strokes (72-71). Kulwin’s performance marks the first top-5 finish by a Rambler this season. 

Head coach Erik Hoops said Kulwin was able to bounce back from a rough finish in the previous week. 

“Great week by Charlie leading us,” Hoops said. “He was pretty frustrated last week, and he put that behind him and had a great couple of days.”

At the end of the first round, Kulwin and third-year Dori Lee were tied, but Lee slowed down and ended the tournament in 17th place with a total of 149 (72-77). 

First-year Clay Heilman tied for 24th place with a score of 150 strokes (75-75). One stroke behind Heilman was redshirt third-year Zach Mulhearn who ended in tie for 31st place with 151 strokes (74-77). 

Third-year Sebastian Kasun wrapped the tournament for the Ramblers with 156 strokes (78-78) and a tie for 49th place.

Hoops recognized the team’s struggles but commended them for battling it out. 

“We’re a little upset we didn’t finish off strong today, but we handled adversity well this week,” Hoops said. “We played through a passing tropical storm and didn’t let us get too off guard.” 

Hoops also touched on the improvement of the position the team is putting itself in this season. He said the team has had a hard time giving themselves a chance to win in the past. 

The Ramblers were able to change that with this tournament, according to Hoops. With the pressure of securing this position over again, Hoops said the team will put themselves back in the position to win and improve. 

The Ramblers head to the Zach Johnson Invite hosted by Drake University in Des Moines, IA Sept. 23-24.