Davies Drives Her Way Into Golf’s Record Book

Philadelphia International Airport closed one of three runways for 30 minutes Monday to allow pro golfer Laura Davies to set a world record of 376 yards for the longest drive by a woman.

Davies broke her own mark of 341 yards set in Hawaii in 1988.

Davies hit 10 shots off a grass tee adjacent to the 5,460-yard long runway. She is the longest hitter on the LPGA Tour, averaging 269.1 yards a drive.

The men’s record of 489 yards was set several years ago by former Boston Red Sox slugger Jim Rice.

An airport spokeswoman said no problems arose as a result of the airport closing a runway.

Pro Football

The Cleveland Browns signed former New England Patriot nose tackle Tim Goad and former Washington Redskin special teams player Johnny Thomas, and also re-signed defensive tackle Pio Sagapolutele, offensive guard Mike Schad and defensive lineman Mario Johnson.

Quarterback Steve Walsh, who led the Chicago Bears into the playoffs after replacing Erik Kramer, agreed to a one-year contract for $1.5 million.

The San Francisco 49ers acquired free-agent running back Derrick Moore from the Detroit Lions for a fifth-round pick in this weekend’s draft.

College Basketball

Arkansas forward Scotty Thurman will join classmate Corliss Williamson in passing up his final season of eligibility to apply for the NBA draft, ESPN reported.

Joanne Palombo turned down an offer to become Long Beach State’s women’s basketball coach after Maine officials sweetened her contract in an 11th-hour move to keep her from leaving. Palombo, 29, agreed to a five-year contract extension after administrators boosted her salary and the budget for the women’s basketball program.

Kevin Taylor, a forward from Sacramento City College, said he has accepted a basketball scholarship at Cal State Northridge. Taylor, 6-7 and 210 pounds, averaged 12.2 points and 6.4 rebounds while shooting 60% from the field for Sacramento, which finished with a 24-8 record as the Bay Valley Conference champion.

Connecticut’s Rebecca Lobo was named the recipient of the Wade Trophy, which goes to a top senior player who also demonstrates academic achievement and leadership off the court.

Jay McCreary, LSU’s basketball coach from 1957-65 and an assistant from 1966-72, died after a long illness. He was 77.

Jurisprudence

Four Memphis football players face misdemeanor charges of assault and disorderly conduct for allegedly attacking a nightclub owner. Sophomore tailback Derrick Jones was charged with assault and disorderly conduct with sophomore wide receiver Brian Powell and freshman defensive end Manny Santibanez. Geoff Kannady, a freshman special teams player, was charged with disorderly conduct.

Reserve linebacker Dion Foxx, 23, of the Miami Dolphins and former Dolphin wide receiver James Pruitt, 31, were arrested for allegedly attacking a man with a golf club in a convenience store parking lot, and charged with aggravated battery.

Miscellany

The Orange County Performing Arts Center Triathlon has been dropped by its organizing group and will not be held this year. The Guilds of The Center, a support group that helped stage the event since 1991, said it will concentrate on other fund-raising events. Sue Feldman, chairwoman of The Guilds, said it had become apparent the triathlon “does not generate the revenue needed to justify such a labor-intensive project.”

Sam Houston Race Park officials filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and announced a $10.8-million deal to restructure finances and keep the troubled fledgling horse racing track in Houston open.

Cedric Pioline beat fellow Frenchman Guy Forget, 6-3, 7-6 (7-4), in the first round of the Nice Open.