All four Hawai'i golfers are among the top 13 after yesterday's first round of the Joanne Winter Arizona Silver Belle Championship.

The tournament, open to female amateur golfers ages 13 to 23, ends tomorrow at the Arizona Biltmore Adobe Course in Phoenix.

Punahou School sophomore Stephanie Kono shares sixth place after opening with a 2-under-par 70. She is three shots behind leader Sydney Burlison of California.

Waiakea freshman Kimberly Kim is another shot back and shares ninth. Her sister Christine, a Waiakea senior, and Wailuku's Kelly Nakashima, a sophomore at University of Idaho, shot 73 and are tied for 13th.

Kaua'i's Mary Bea Porter-King won the event in 1973 and O'ahu's Jeanette Kerr, also a former LPGA player, won in 1980.

CHANGES AT WAIKELE

Waikele Golf Course will close in March for major renovations, according to an announcement from Waikele Golf Course LLC. The company plans to "expedite its greens renovation project" by closing the entire course and clubhouse. It is expected to reopen in September.

In addition to on-course improvements, the clubhouse will undergo renovations, including kitchen and restaurant upgrades. The course was designed by Ted Robinson and opened in 1993.

For details, visit golfwaikele .com or call head pro Gordon Tsujimura (676-6355).