April 19, 2008

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Playing in a tournament which features three nationally ranked teams, Loyola University Chicago fared well in the opening day of play at the Boilermaker Invitational hosted by Purdue at Birck Boilermaker Golf Complex today. The Ramblers, who found themselves tied with Northwestern after one round of play, posted a 606 (296-310) through 36 holes and sit in 14th place. Indiana, which is ranked 24th in the country, and No. 23 Michigan State, are tied for the lead with identical scores of 563.

Loyola got off to a great start, posting a team score of 296 through the first 18 holes of play today to tie with perennial Big Ten power Northwestern for 11th place. After struggling in the second round of play today, the Ramblers still find themselves a mere five strokes behind Northern Illinois for 13th place. Fourth-ranked Charlotte was tied for seventh with a 574 through 36 holes of action.

Junior Sean Bidzinski is tied for 20th after 36 holes with a score of 144 (70-74), thanks to his two-under-par 70 in round one on the 7,079-yard course. Junior Armando Favela, who was the medalist at the Caputo Invitational earlier in the week, notched a 149 (71-78) today, which included a one-under 71 in the opening round. Kevin Emmerich shot a 155 (77-78), Thomas Greene posted a 158 (78-80) and Robert Caplin tallied a 162 (78-84) to round out the Loyola lineup.

Loyola concludes play at the tournament, its final tune-up before the Horizon League Championships, by playing 18 holes tomorrow.

Team Results Thru Two Rounds
1. Indiana - 287-276=563
2. Michigan State - 281-282=563
3. Illinois - 282-287=569
4. Kent State - 284-285=569
5. Wisconsin - 283-288=571
6. Purdue - 283-290=573
7. Charlotte - 286-288=574
8. Eastern Michigan - 291-283=574
9. Iowa - 289-291=580
10. Iowa State - 294-286=580
11. Northwestern - 296-296=592
12. Xavier - 297-300=597
13. Northern Illinois - 299-302=601
14. Loyola - 296-310=606