Huntingdon Valley CC’s Scott holds one-shot lead at Senior Amateur

 NORTH HILLS, Pa.-Craig Scott of Huntingdon Valley CC, a newcomer to the Golf Association of Philadelphia senior circuit, carded an even-par 71 amidst a steady and menacing breeze on Tuesday at Lu Lu CC (par 71, 6,286 yards) to take the first-round lead of the 34^th Senior Amateur Championship. The Senior Amateur Championship is for players 55 years of age and older.

  Jay Howson, Jr. of St. Davids GC, the 1999 Senior Amateur champion, is a shot back in second after recording a 1-over-par 72. Mike Nilon of Philadelphia CC and Michael Rose of Ashbourne CC, the reigning Senior Amateur champion, are tied in third place at 2-over 73. A group of seven players stand at 74. In all, 20 players are within five shots of the lead.

  A field of 192 players competed.

  Scott, 55, of Marshalls Creek, Pa. in the Poconos, turned in a compact and efficient level-par round with three birdies and three bogeys. He registered 13 greens in regulation. Owner of the Mountain Manor Inn & Golf Club Resort, Scott has only played in one other Golf Association of Philadelphia senior event since turning 55 years of age this spring. A busy schedule and the long commute to the Philadelphia area have kept him away.

  However, Scott said he cleared his schedule and made it a point to make the lengthy ride to Lu Lu CC for the Senior Amateur Championship. It could turn out to be the best decision of his golfing career.

  “This is a good time of year and was one of the things I wanted to do,” said Scott. “I’m going to go out and have a good time tomorrow. I have no expectations because that’s golf.”

  Scott is no stranger to posting low scores.

  He has qualified for three U.S. Middle-Amateur Championships in addition to one U.S. Amateur. In the three U.S. Mid-Ams, he’s been in a playoff each time to advance into match play but has failed to move on.

  On Tuesday, Scott said a solid driver and putter accounted for the result. All three birdie putts were outside 10 feet.

  Howson, 66, of Malvern, Pa. recorded five birdies, four bogeys and a double bogey in his round to find the top of the leaderboard. Howson, who started on the back side, recorded an even-par 36 on the outward nine before finishing at 1-over-par on the front.

  “Like the old saying goes,” said Howson, “you can’t win it on the first day, but you can lose it.”

  Nilon, 55, of Gladwyne, Pa. and Rose, 57, of Huntingdon Valley, Pa. will join Scott and Howson in the final group. Nilon missed one fairway en route to a 73. A switch back to his overlapping grip has resulted in good things.

  Rose fired a 1-under-par 34 on the front side, but struggled on the inward side with a 3-over-par 39. Rose was a shot out of the lead a year ago before rallying for the victory.