BATH – Mary Brandes of Falmouth leads after the first day of the Women’s Maine State Golf Association championship.

Brandes shot a 72 on Monday to take the lead in the 54-hole tournament.

Brandes, who plays out of The Woodlands, shot a 38 and a 34 to take charge of the 61-golfer field.

She’s two strokes ahead of Kristin Kannegieser of Martindale (36-38-74), who won the 2007 championship, and three strokes ahead of Leslie Guenther of Norway (40-37-77).

The WMSGA championship continues today at Bath Country Club, with tee times starting at 7:30 a.m.

The tournament concludes Wednesday.

Alexa Rancourt, the two-time defending WMSGA champion, is not competing in this year’s tournament.

Debby Gardner of Belgrade, last year’s runner-up, is fifth (41-39-80) entering today’s second round.