Bennett moves into lead at AWGA

MAUMELLE — Grier Bennett maintained her steady play a second day, allowing her to seize a three- stroke lead in the championship flight Monday heading into today’s final round of the 2013 Arkansas Women’s Golf Association Stroke Play Championship at Maumelle Country Club.

Bennett, a 2011 Jessieville graduate and incoming sophomore at High Point ( N. C.) University, trailed by a stroke after Sunday’s first round, opening with 76. She shot 75 Monday while first- round leader Tracy Duncan, of Blytheville, followed her 75 with 80 to fall four strokes back.

Hall of famer Tanna Richard, of Fort Smith, sits in second place at 154 after shooting an even- par 72 Monday, easily the lowest round of the tournament so far. Richard has been the AWGA Match Play runner- up the last two years.

Bennett is looking to repeat as AWGA Stroke Play champion, winning last year’s title on her home course of Diamante Country Club.

Other leaders include a tie between Jonesboro’s Jennifer Loiacano and Conway’s Bryce Wolfe ( 163) in the president’s flight, Lowell’s Rosetta Parks ( 170) in the governor’s flight, a tie between Hot Springs Village’s Jean Mowry and Maumelle’s Pam Evans ( 159) in the open first flight, a tie between Maumelle’s Mimi Evans and Hot Springs Village’s Kathy Norris ( 178) in the open second flight and a tie between Patti Simon and Jerry Hyde ( 195) in the open third flight.