Aug. 17, 2001

Saint Mary's golf coach Scott Hardy came back from two-down to defeat Brian Jones in 21 holes in the semifinals of the 98th NCGA Amateur Championship on Thursday. Hardy will battle Matt Bettencourt in a 36-hole match at Spyglass Hill golf course on Friday, August 17.

Hardy, who was two-down after 12 holes, birdied 13 and evened the match when Jones hit his tee shot in the water on the par-3 15th hole. Hardy was one-up heading into the 18th hole, but a bogey evened the match to force extra holes. Both players parred the 19th and 20th holes. Jones missed a four-footer on the third extra hole, allowing Hardy to win the match one-up and advance to the championship match.

Hardy defeated John Enright 5 and 4, earlier in the day, to advance to the semifinal match. Bettencourt beat Jim Wilson in 19 holes and then defeated J.J. Jakovac 5and 4 to advance to the Friday's final match against Hardy.