GOODYEAR, Arizona—Three Utah Valley golfers birdied their final hole on Tuesday to come from behind and edge out Marquette by one stroke to claim the 2023 Loyola Intercollegiate team championship. The win marks back-to-back team titles for the Wolverines who also earned the Pizza Hut Pat Hicks Invitational team championship on Feb. 12.
Utah Valley's
Brady McKinlay,
Kai Iguchi, and
Ethan Efford all birdies their final holes in Tuesday's final round to help the Wolverines win the team title. It is the first time that Utah Valley has won back-to-back team titles in program history.
"To have three guys birdie their last hole to win by one is the stuff dreams are made of," said Utah Valley head coach
Chris Curran. "This was the definition of a dogfight coming down the stretch. To lose by a shot last year and win this year by a shot is year is very gratifying. This is a special group of guys."
Caden Weber shot a final-round 1-under-par 71 to finish the tournament tied for second on the 108-player individual leaderboard at 9-under-par 207 (71-65-71). Weber carded four birdies in his final round and finished just three strokes back of individual champion Lucas Scherf (-12) of Drake.
McKinlay carded a final-round 5-under-par 67 to move up 13 spots on the leaderboard to finish in a tie for 11th with a three-round 5-under-par 211 (74-70-67). McKinlay recorded an impressive seven birdies in his final round, including four on the back nine.
Iguchi shot a 2-under-par 70 in his final round on Tuesday to move up 11 spots on the leaderboard to finish tied for 24th with a three-round score of 1-under-par 215 (73-72-70). Iguchi tallied five birdies on Tuesday with four on the front nine.
Joseph Glenn shot a 3-over-par 75 in the final round to finish in a tie for 45th at 2-over-par 218 (73-70-75). Glenn carded three birdies in his final round on Tuesday.
Ethan Efford carded a final-round 4-under-par 68 to finish tied for 70th with a three-round 6-over-par 222 (83-71-68). Efford's final round 68 was the best round of his collegiate career. He had six birdies in Tuesday's final round.
Andrew Hawk, who played the tournament individually, shot a 3-over-par 75 in his final round to finish tied for 65th at 5-over-par 221 (71-75-75).
Utah Valley will continue spring play at the Bash at the Beach, March 13-14, at the Surf Golf & Beach Club in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.