St. Mary's Golf Coach Scott Hardy is one of three leaders

PEBBLE BEACH, CALIFORNIA (July 15, 2006) -- Three players share the lead at two-under-par 142 after two rounds of the NCGA Amateur Stroke Play Championship at Poppy Hills:  Scott Hardy, 2004 champion of this event, two-time NCGA Player of the Year Randy Haag and Erik Justesen of eClub Sacramento.
 
First-round leader Gary Vanier fell to fifth place after a three-over-par 75, but at only three stokes back, is still very much in the hunt.
 
Hardy is seeking to win his third straight major NCGA title in as many years after claiming the 2004 Stroke Play (the first Stroke Play Championship since the event was discontinued in 1967) and the 2005 Valley Amateur and Four-Ball Championships (where he teamed with partner Rick Reinsberg of Moraga, who is two strokes back of the three leaders).
 
Haag is coming off solid third-place performances in the NCGA Master Division Championship and Monterey City Amateur both held last week. The 1995 and 1999 Player of the Year and Olympic Club member has a wealth of experience in high-level amateur competition.
 
Erick Justesen brings high finishes in both the 2006 Sacramento Valley and Memorial Amateur Championships to the final round. His 14th position on the current NCGA Points List is testament to his ability to hang around leaderboards. Justesen is looking for his first NCGA title.
 
Defending champion Bob Niger of Serrano is tied for 8th place, five strokes back.
 
Competitors are vying for a trophy that includes names such as Ken Venturi, Harvey Ward, George Archer and Johnny Miller. The championship concludes with tomorrow's final round with only the top 43 players making the 10-over-par cut.

NOTE: To view complete results, click the name of the tournament at the top of this page and select the tab "results." (amateurgolf.com premium membership requested)