Defending champions Anderson and Perry lead PGA Senior-Junior C'ship

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. – Defending Champions JC Anderson of O’Fallon, Missouri, and Rod Perry of Port Orange, Florida, blistered the Ryder Course at PGA Golf Club with a 10-under-par 62, to take the first-round lead in the 56th PGA Senior-Junior Championship presented by Premier Golf and GOLF ADVISOR.

 

Starting play on the back nine, the pair rode eight birdies, along with an eagle on the par-5 fourth hole to carry a two-stroke  advantage over four teams of PGA Professionals: Lee Rinker/Colin Amaral and Frank Esposito/Brett Jones (both played the Wanamaker Course); and Rick Schuller/Bob Sowards and Gary Robison/Dennis Miller (Ryder Course).

 

“I’ve always found in tournaments that the defending champion seems to play well, even if they haven’t played well lately,” said Anderson. “You really can’t put a finger on it.”

 

Both players hail from locales that favor difficult conditions – Anderson spent several years in Texas – and the winds were certainly a factor, following a cold front that moved into the area.

 

“I actually prefer conditions that are tough in this format,” added Perry. “If you have a really good round, you can separate yourself from the field. If things are benign, there are so many great teams, so it’s not as easy to pull away from the pack.”

 

Anderson and Perry will play the Dye Course on Wednesday in the second round.

 

Newly elected PGA Secretary Suzy Whaley and teammate Ronny Glanton combined for a 4-under-par 68 on the Dye Course and are tied for 23rd. PGA Past President Jim Remy, who maintains a home in the nearby community, and teammate Brian Prokes are tied for 14th after shooting a 5-under-par 67 on the Ryder Course.

 

The PGA Senior-Junior Championship presented by Premier Golf and GOLF ADVISOR features 155 teams of PGA Professionals, with Seniors 50 and over, and Juniors 49 and younger. Teams rotate among the three courses at PGA Golf Club (Wanamaker, Ryder and Dye Courses) with the final round of the 72-hole Championship played on the Wanamaker Course.