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PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. -- The intimidating island green at No. 17 wasn't enough to stop Tim Gorman and Wayne Murray from taking home the first-ever "Nature Valley Amateur" golf titles.

The 17th hole at TPC Sawgrass, home of THE PLAYERS Championship. (Condon/PGA TOUR)

After shooting a 74, Murray, of Wesley Chapel, Fla., outplayed five regional finalists in the Eagle flight Saturday at the first annual "Nature Valley Amateur" championship held at the THE PLAYERS Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass, home of THE PLAYERS Championship.

"The course was hard and fast -- a really tough course," said Murray, the oldest player in the tournament at 64. "For an old guy to beat the young guys was very good. I played steady all day - that was the difference."

Gorman, 35, of Murrieta, Calif., held off five finalists as well to take home the championship for the Birdie flight, by shooting a 79 and making par on the difficult island green at No. 17.

"It was an incredible experience, not only playing at Sawgrass, but to play the course like the pros do," Gorman said. "This was the first time I've ever played in an individual amateur field, so to go out there and win it was completely unexpected."

Nearly 500 amateur golfers from across the country competed in the six regional tournaments leading up to the championship. Each regional was held at a TPC course where golfers were split into two flights. Only 12 golfers (two from each regional) qualified for the championship round at THE PLAYERS Stadium Course -- one of the most challenging courses on the PGA TOUR.

Gorman and Murray finished the day 7 over and 2 over, respectively. Though both are amateur golfers, the two will share something in common with former PLAYERS Championship winners like Phil Mickelson, Davis Love III, and Tiger Woods, who also won their tournament titles at TPC Sawgrass.

"I know one thing," said Murray, "Nature Valley made one older gentleman very happy."

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

In addition to receiving a free practice round of golf at TPC Sawgrass on Friday afternoon, the 12 regional winners were welcomed with a complimentary pairings dinner, free golf balls and a gift bag.

*Nature Valley® is a registered trademark of General Mills, Inc.