Playing in strong winds and temperatures in the 60s, Bush, manager of the Edwin Watts golf store in Palm Beach Gardens, and Peel, an aircraft salesman, closed with three under par 69, four-ball stroke play, for 134 at Abacoa Golf Club. They were the first round leaders Saturday on a modified alternate shots effort of 65.

“The wind made it play so hard and it was difficult to get the ball in the fairway,” Bush said, “and the greens were quicker than they were yesterday. And a lot of balls were being hit out of the rough, but it’s always good defend.” They won a playoff at 131 last year Abacoa.

The only other players to win the title back-to-back in the 14-year history of the Junior-Senior were Martin County’s Paul Piccolo and George Rodriguez in 1997-98. Andy Johncke and Lenny Loyd won in 2000 and were co-champions in 2003 when weather prevented a playoff with Jim Patrone and Clyde Gibson.

After both three-putted the par-5 second hole, Peel birdied the third and 10th, Bush the ninth and both birdied the th. In the opening round, they had an eagle, seven birdies and two bogeys.

Steve Anderson of Hobe Sound and Van Lefferdink of Jupiter were second among 44 teams with 67-69—136.

Low net winners were Doug Luce of Jupiter and Jim Herman of Miami Beach who scored 67-64—131.

Next on the Palm Beach County Golf Association schedule: Friday, Tournament of Champions, Old Palm GC, Palm Beach Gardens; and Saturday-Sunday, Dodge Four-Ball, The Fox Club, Palm City. For membership entry and tournament information, go to www.pbcga.org.

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Palm Beach County GA Abacoa Golf Club/Junior-Senior Championship Abacoa GC, Jupiter, Fla. Par 72: Juniors, 6,805 yards; seniors, 6,500 yards (First round, modified alternate shots; final round, four-ball stroke play)

The top 10 (juniors listed first): 134 – Brent Bush, Palm Beach Gardens, and Mark Peel, Delray Beach, 65-69. 136 – Steve Anderson, Hobe Sound, and Van Lefferdink, Jupiter, 67-69. 137 – Adam Murchison, Palm City, and Lenny Loyd, Stuart, 68-69. Andy Johncke and Robbie Dew, Palm Beach Gardens, 66-71. 138 – Jimmy Key and Jan Blick, Palm Beach Gardens, 71-67. 139 – Bob Lynch, Parkland, and Paul Couture, Jupiter, 70-69. Ed Kenny, Lake Worth, and Steve Sponder, Cooper City, 70-69. 140 – Artie Scott and Brian Coffey, Tequesta, 70-70. Scott Rossa and Scott Blaise, Lake Worth, 69-71. Mike Weeks, Jupiter, and Tom Fiocchi, Palm Beach Gardens, 69-71. Jared Meyers and John Sanford, Jupiter, 68-72.