JACKSON, N.J. (May 7, 2012) - In cool, cloudy conditions, Nelson Debow of Newton Country Club fired a first-round 75, which inlcuded three birdies, to take the early lead in the 85th MGA Senior Amateur Championship at Metedeconk National Golf Club in Jackson, N.J. The 2007 champion of this event, Jay Blumenfeld of Mountain Ridge, is one stroke back after a 76. 

Thanks to a steady breeze and fast, difficult greens, Metedeconk protected itself from low scores, as only 12 players in the morning pairings managed to break 80. Several notable players finished the first round at 5-over 77, including 2009 champion Allan Small of Fairmount, Robert Housen (1997 and '99 winner) of Manasquan River, Tom Dicinti and Kevin McGrain of MGA eClub-New Jersey, and Philip Dessinger of Bonnie Briar. 

Five players finished at 7-over 79: Denis Johnson of Plainfield, Bill Henry of Forsgate, Tom Greenwood of MGA eClub-New Jersey, Matthew Corrigan of Nassau Players, and Robert Britton of Knob Hill. 

However, a number of past Senior Amateur and MGA championship winners are still on the course, including defending champion John Ervasti (2011) of Sleepy Hollow, Ron Vannelli (2008) of Metuchen, and 11-time MGA major winner George Zahringer III, who is playing in his first MGA Senior Amateur. 

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.