June 26, 1998

SOUTH BEND, Ind. - Notre Dame junior Brad Hardin (Martinsville, Ind.) surged to a share of fifth place in Thursday's final round of the Indiana State Amateur Tournament, held at Morris Park Country Club.

Hardin's 283 four-round total left him just five shots out of the lead and two shots shy of a third-place finish. He opened the four-day tournament with matching rounds of 72 on the par-70, 6,550-yard course before firing a third-round 70 on Wednesday and a 69 over Thursday's final 18 holes. Hardin's final round tied with Joshua Habig for second-lowest in the final round, behind Lee Williamson's 68.

Hardin was one of four players to shoot 72 or lower in all four rounds, joining medalist Josh Brewer (70-66-70-72), Ball State's Jamie Broce (72-72-70-69) and Josh Neal (70-72-70-72) in that distinction. Hardin's 139 total over the final 36 holes trailed only Williamson (136) and Winchester native Ryan Chalfant (137, 67-70) among the 63-golfer field.

Brewer, a Brownstown native and a former player at Indiana University, rallied to beat South Bend native and Morris Park member Jeremy Wilkerson (63-64-75-77) by a single shot. Chalfant placed third at 281, followed by Ball State junior and Rensselaer native Brian Post at 282.

Hardin improved on his 14th-place showing at the 1997 Indiana State Amateur, when he shot 290 (68-74-75-73) at Meridian Hills Country Club. He finished as runner-up at the 1997 State Amateur Match-Play Championship, shooting a 71 in qualifying at Bear Slide Golf Club before ultimately losing in the final to veteran player Randy Nichols.

FINAL STANDINGS (field of 63): 
 1. Josh Brewer 70-66-70-72/278;  
 2. Jeremy Wilkinson 63-64-75-77/279;  
 3. Ryan Chalfant 73-71-67-70/281;  
 4. Brian Post 70-65-71-76/282; 
 5. Brad Hardin 72-72-70-69/283;  
    Jamie Broce 70-71-72-70/283;  
 7. Lee Williamson 75-73-68-68/284;  
    Josh Neal 70-72-70-72/284;  
    Pete Wojtowicz 69-68-75-72/284.