Grove moves into Lilac lead after 36 holes; Bayley second

The leaderboard at the halfway point of the 56th Lilac City Invitational has a distinct North Idaho flavor.

North Idaho College men’s and women’s golf coach Russell Grove, the 2013 Lilac champion, shot a 4-under-par 68 on Friday to take the 36-hole lead at 9-under 135 at The Fairways at West Terrace outside Cheney.

One stroke back is Derek Bayley of Rathdrum, the former Lakeland High and Washington State star. Bayley, now a member of PGA Tour Latinoamerica and the Mackenzie Tour (PGA Tour Canada), shot 70 on Friday and is at 8-under 136.

Grove and Bayley are scheduled to tee off today at 1:30 in the final threesome of the third round.

Strong winds and low temperatures kept scores higher Friday.

First-day leader Steve Tarkon, from Red Hawk Golf Course in Nampa, shot 72 on Friday and is tied for third at 7-under 137. Vinnie Murphy, the 2018 Lilac champ, is part of that four-way tie at 7-under after shooting 69.

Derek Barron, the 2016 Lilac champ, is at 6-under 136 after shooting a second straight 69.

Eddie Heinen of Hayden, a former member of three pro tours (Mackenzie, Korean PGA and Asian PGA), and currently a marketing consultant for a golf club distributor, shot 72 on Friday and is tied for ninth at 5-under 139. He tees off at 1:10 today.

Billy Bomar, co-owner of Prairie Falls in Post Falls, shot 71 and is tied for 27th at even-par 144. His tee time today is 11:40 a.m.

The region’s only 72-hole tournament is scheduled to conclude Sunday.