Tenth-ranked California grabbed the first-round lead Wednesday in the University of Hawaii’s John Burns Intercollegiate. The Bears shot 18-under par 270 on Turtle Bay’s Palmer Course.

They were led by Joel Stalter and Max Homa, who are tied for second with New Mexico’s James Erkenbeck at 6-under 66. Duke’s Julian Suri leads the individual standings after shooting 65.

The Lobos are second, four shots behind Cal. Hawaii is 10th in the 18-team tournament, at 2-over 290. UH senior TJ Kua is tied for 15th after a 70. Cory Oride shot 71 and Thomas Yamashita 72.

UH-Hilo is in 14th place at 296, led by Travis Russell at 70.

Brigham Young-Hawaii is last at 308, with Alex Stulce firing a team-best 74.

Clinics for beginners

Hawaii kids between the ages of 5 and 17 are invited to Hawaii Junior Golf Day, March 10. The Hawaii State Junior Golf Association and Aloha Section PGA are partnering on the free introductory golf event aimed at beginners.

Twelve courses around the state will host Hawaii Junior Golf Days. To register, visit HSJGA.com. Age-appropriate equipment will be provided by US Kids Clubs and SNAG (Starting New at Golf) golf companies.

Check-in begins at 8:30 a.m. There will be games, clinics and activities from 9-11. Instruction will be by PGA professionals and volunteers. Parents will receive the "Roadmap to Junior Golf," with information on where they can enroll their child in a junior golf program to have opportunities to learn, play and compete.

Participating courses are Ko Olina, Koolau, Turtle Bay, Hawaii Prince and Hawaii Kai on Oahu, Puakea and Princeville Makai on Kauai, Wailea Emerald, Kaanapali and The Dunes at Maui Lani on Maui and Mauna Kea and Makalei on Hawaii island.

Alina Ching takes 5th

Pepperdine freshman Alina Ching closed with a 2-over-par 73 to take fifth at the Northrop Grumman Regional women’s tournament Wednesday in Palos Verdes, Calif. It was Ching’s first top-10 collegiate finish. The Punahou graduate’s 54-hole total of 218 was eight shots behind medalist Lindsay Duncan, the nation’s top-ranked player from Duke. Baldwin graduate Cassy Isagawa, a freshman at Oregon, tied for 10th at 75—221.

Notes

» Detroit journalist Jack Berry, whose five decades of sports reporting included covering more than 100 golf majors, will be a guest on the "Emily T. Gail Show," available at espnhawaii.com or facebook.com/emilytgailtalkstory.

For more information, call 808-896-6780.