Nature Valley Amateur crowns its winners

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PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. -- A field of 56 amateur golfers stared down THE PLAYERS Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass -- including the intimidating island green on the 17th hole -- in an effort to pull off the win in the second annual "Nature Valley Amateur" on Saturday. Mark Mann, Michael Stephanik and Andrew Bisbee won the Tour, Eagle and Birdie flights respectively in the tournament that gives amateur golfers across the country the opportunity to "play like a pro."

After shooting a 72, Mark Mann of Ann Arbor, Mich., defeated 17 other players in the Tour flight Saturday held at the THE PLAYERS Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass, home of THE PLAYERS Championship.

"My objective was to stay out of trouble, keep out of the water and not three-put, and I was able to do that," Mann said. "I had some lucky shots and some quality shots."

Michael Stephanik, of Lawrenceville, N.J., held off 18 finalists in the Eagle flight and took home the title by shooting a net 71.

"I slayed the dragon today, which was hole 17; I almost had a hole-in-one and came away with the easy birdie," Stephanik said. "This is the one tournament I look forward to playing in every year."

Winner of the Birdie flight, with a score of 74, was Andrew Bisbee, of West Bridgewater, Mass. Bisbee outplayed 18 other players in his flight for the win.

"I took what the golf course gave me and didn't try to force anything," Bisbee said. "It was unbelievable to come out here and be able to share the experience you see on TV."

More than 1,000 amateur golfers from across the country recently competed in the 19 regional tournaments leading up to the championship round. Each regional event was held at a TPC course where golfers were split into three flights. Only 57 golfers (three from each region) qualified for the championship round at THE PLAYERS Stadium Course -- one of the most challenging courses on the PGA TOUR.

"Nature Valley was so excited to sponsor the 'Nature Valley Amateur' golf tournament for the second year," said Travis Trembath, Nature Valley associate marketing manager. "Player turnout for all 19 regional events was incredible and we're happy most made the journey here. There was great talent on the course today and TPC Sawgrass was an amazing host."

Though Mann, Stephanik and Bisbee are amateur golfers, they will share something in common with golf greats and former PLAYERS Championship winners like Phil Mickelson, Sergio Garcia and Tiger Woods -- each can say they are tournament winners at TPC Sawgrass.

Nature Valley Granola Bars -- an official sponsor of the PGA TOUR -- created the "Nature Valley Amateur" to give golf enthusiasts an authentic PGA TOUR playing experience inside the ropes with fast greens, high rough and difficult pin placements.