HERSHEY, Pa. -- 35-year old Chris Landes, from Lansdale, PA, knew he was prepared for the final round of the First Annual Hershey Amateur, but wasn't sure if his nerves were?

"I probably hit 10,000 balls this season on the practice range, but this was the first big tournament I played in," said Landis, who started playing seriously four years ago, "so I am really pleased that I was able to put together a good round."

A 19-handicap who plays out of Skippack Golf Course, Landes joins a long list of professional and amateur players alike that have celebrated tournament victories at Hershey. "The Hershey Golf Collection is steeped in tradition, from hosting the 1940 PGA Championship, to the LPGA's Lady Keystone Open in the 80's, to numerous local, regional and national amateur events like the Hershey Amateur, Chris is in good company" announced Ned Graff, the Hershey Golf Collection's Director of Golf.

Despite a few stumbles during the round, Landes made a solid 2-putt par on the par-four 17th hole at Hershey Links, his last of the day, to post a NET score of 69 (3-under) and take the inaugural title. "I knew when the tournament staff started keeping track of my scores over the final few holes, I was in the hunt," said Landes, who also captured the Men's Flight 2 title after the tournament's first 36-holes.

The race for the First Annual Hershey Amateur Championship Trophy was even tighter than Landes knew. Midway through the back nine, a half dozen players were in contention. However, the Hershey Links proved to be a formidable test for these weekend warriors. In the end, two players who traveled a good distance to play in the event were in position to win. John Wilson, an 18-handicap from Dade City, Florida who finished third in the Senior Division Flight 2, and David Chase, a 24-handicap from Point Blank, Texas representing the Super Senior Division, both made solid pars on their final holes to finish with a NET score of 70 (2-under) and one back.

"The event was great," said Wilson, whose wife Janice, a 3.5 handicap captured the Women's Division Flight 1, "the Hershey Golf Collection courses were all beautiful and challenging, and the food was delicious, we'll be back next year!"

The Hershey Golf Collection, staged the event in partnership with The Golf Connection LLC. Event sponsors included Peter Millar Apparel, NIKE Golf, Sunbuster, the USGA Members Program, Amateurgolf.com and Critical Care Systems. Players in eight divisions were treated to a truly first class tournament experience. The Hershey Amateur is an individual NET stroke-play tournament open to golfers of any skill level with a USGA Handicap Index. Players are flighted by handicap, allowing them to compete for flight and daily prizes against others of similar skill level.Entry in the tournament included four rounds of golf, breakfast and lunch daily, two dinners, a player gift bag, and of course, an ample supply of Hershey Chocolate.

Hershey, Pennsylvania, is known the world over as The Sweetest Place On Earth. The destination's wide array of attractions includes Hersheypark, ZooAmerica, The Hotel Hershey, HersheyLodge, Hershey Highmeadow Campground, Hershey Golf Collection, The Spa At The Hotel Hershey, Hersheypark Stadium and Giant Center, home of the Hershey Bears AHL hockey team.

Hershey is just three hours from New York City; two hours from Philadelphia , Washington, D.C., or New Jersey; and 90 minutes from Baltimore. Train service offers easy access from throughout the northeast corridor. For more details on the Hershey Amateur, please visit Hersheyam.com.

Media Contact:
Rich Taylor -541-322-3023