Honolulu's Alex Ching dropped three spots to 16th yesterday after shooting a 1-over-par 73 in the second round of the AJGA's Mission Hills Desert Junior in Rancho Mirage, Calif.

Ching's 144 total leaves him five shots off the lead shared by California's Chris Cho (72—139) and Tom Lo (69—139). The final round will be played today.

Ching, who will be a senior at Punahou in the fall, eagled the ninth hole yesterday.

At the AJGA's Houchens Industries Junior Open in Alvaton, Ky., former Wailuku resident Kyung Kim, 13, surged into fourth place with a second-round 75. Kim, who just moved to Arizona, improved nine shots from her first-round score. She is now seven shots back of leader Daffodil Sanchez (76—152).

THEISMAN'S TIME

Joe Theisman's team won the third annual June Jones Foundation QB Golf Classic Monday. The tournament, played at Hokuli'a, raised $28,500 for Ronald McDonald House Charities of Hawai'i.

Theisman's team of Bill Carey, George Park, Stacy Higa, Shaun Mukai and Mike Hogan beat out 20 other teams with a total of 108 (best two scores each hole).

Other celebrities who participated included Earl Morrall, Neil Lomax, Steve Bartkowski, Vince Ferragamo, Jim Zorn, Junior Seau, Truck Robinson, Dick Tomey, Mike Post, Bobby Beathard and Willie K.

WOMEN-FRIENDLY

Lana'i's Challenge at Manele and Maui's Wailea Emerald are among the Top 50 Courses for Women, according to Golf for Women magazine's biennial list.

Pine Needles Lodge & Golf Club in Southern Pines, N.C., site of this week's U.S. Women's Open, is No. 1 on the list. The Donald Ross course, opened in 1928, has been stretched to more than 6,600 yards this week.

Manele is 23rd on the list, with Wailea Emerald 30th.

To determine the list, the magazine started with past winners, eligible courses from Golf Digest's Top 100 Public Courses and courses nominated by Golf For Women raters. A Top 50 Course must be open to the public, have at least one set of tees under 5,300 yards and should have at least two under 6,000. A minimum of two tees should be rated for women.

It also should have "few forced carries from the forward tees, be in top condition and present a women-friendly environment."