ELMSFORD, N.Y. (April 27, 2012) - Defending champion John Ervasti of Sleepy Hollow and 167 other golfers ages 55 are preparing for the 85th MGA Senior Amateur Championship, to be held May 7 & 8 at Metedeconk National Golf Club in Jackson, N.J. The MGA Senior Amateur is the kickoff event on the 2012 MGA calendar and is the MGA’s fourth-oldest championship. Last season, Ervasti, 57, became the first player in MGA history to complete the “senior slam” by capturing the Senior Amateur Championship at Shorehaven Golf Club in Norwalk, Conn., in addition to his MGA Senior Open title in 2010. 

“It’s always a good feeling to be the defending champion, because you have a win in the bag,” Ervasti said. “I don’t think it changes a lot as far as playing the actual tournament. You have to do the same thing. You have to prepare and do it. But it’s a nice feeling.”

Although it will be Ervasti's first time playing Metedeconk, he doesn't believe the layout will be an issue. "In this day and age with the ability to use rangefinders, it changes everything," he said. "You can find your way to a point in the fairway."   

He also noted that being paired with 11-time MGA major winner George Zahringer III — who is playing in his first MGA Senior Amateur— in the first round is something that he looks forward to. “I’ve played with George a number of times, and it’s great because he’s a phenomenal player. For me, he’s a good person to watch play. I believe good golf begets good golf.”

RELATED: Click here for all first-round pairings

Ervasti will not only have to manage his way around an unfamiliar course to retain his title, but beat out one of the strongest fields of all MGA championships, including a plethora of former winners: Three-time champ (’03, ’05, ’10) Stephen Rose of Fresh Meadow (N.Y.); 2009 champion Al Small of Fairmount (N.J.); 2008 winner Ron Vannelli of Metuchen (N.J.); 2007 champion Jay Blumenfeld of Mountain Ridge (N.J.); two-time (’01, ‘06) victor Shawn McLoughlin of Ridgewood (Conn.); Ned Steiner (2000) of Mountain Ridge (N.J.); and two-time MGA Senior Amateur champ (1997 & ’99) and six-time NJSGA Amateur champion Bob Housen of Manasquan River (N.J.).

Other top entrants in the field include last year’s MGA Senior Amateur runner-up Bill Henry of Forsgate (N.J.); 2008 MGA Senior Open low amateur Jim Graham of Winged Foot (N.Y.); 2008 MGA Senior Amateur runner-up Joe Sommers of Winged Foot (N.Y.); and former Westchester Amateur champion Tom Yellin of Stanwich (Conn.). Robert Lerner and Steve Kahn will represent Metedeconk in the tournament and hope to use their home-course advantage to secure their first MGA championship, while television personality Maury Povich, a frequent competitor in this event, will once again be in the field.

Metedeconk is no stranger when it comes to hosting major golf tournaments. The 25-year-old club was the site of the 1996 Ike Championship, 2003 Met Open and inaugural Metedeconk Challenge, which grew into the biennial match play event between the MGA and the Golfing Union of Ireland now known as the Carey Cup. It consists of 27 holes designed by Robert Trent Jones and his lead project manager, Roger Rulewich. The name Metedeconk derives from the Metedeconk River, a branch of which flows through the club’s 1,200-acre property. 

The MGA Senior Amateur is open to players 55 years of age or older with USGA Handicap Indexes of 8.0 or lower. The field will play 18 holes of stroke play on Monday, May 7, after which a cut will be made and the low 30 scores and ties will advance to the second round. Prizes will also be awarded to winners in each of four age categories. The championship will conclude with 18 holes of stroke play on Tuesday, May 8.

Complete coverage of the MGA Senior Amateur is available at www.mgagolf.org, where you can also find live scoring for the final round. Also follow the Senior Amateur via the My MGA mobile app and through the MGA's Facebook and Twitter (@MGA1897) pages.

About the MGA: The Metropolitan Golf Association was founded in 1897 and is one of the nation’s oldest and largest amateur golf associations representing more than 500 clubs in the tri-state Metropolitan Area. Through a network of more than 300 volunteers, and a full-time staff operating out of its Golf Central headquarters in Elmsford, N.Y., the Association fulfills its role as a true non-profit service organization. Through a variety of unique, relevant, and innovative services for member clubs and area golfers, the MGA has established itself as a leader among local and national golf organizations. Be sure to follow the MGA on Facebook and Twitter for up-to-the-minute scores, and download our mobile app for the iPhone, iPad and Android.