FAIRFIELD GLADE, Tenn. – University of Georgia assistant coach Margaret Shirley tied Danielle Downey of Clearwater, Fla., for first place in the Golf Capital of Tennessee Women’s Open with a final-round 72 Saturday, but Downey received the top prize of $5,000 as the pro with the best finish. Shirley, who just regained her amateur status, and Downey each finished at 214, two shots better than Ashli Bunch of Morristown, who earned $3,000. Amateur Katie Burnett of Brunswick, Ga., was fourth at 219. Lookout Mountain teenager Mary Alice Murphy tied for ninth at 225 with a final-round 77.
* Lee University golf coach John Maupin and former Lee player Brandon Cissom combined for a 61 Saturday and a three-stroke lead in the Rossville Kiwanis City Four-Ball tournament at Moccasin Bend. Lee player Sam Bedwell and Logan Killen were next at 64.
Athletic Training
* Retired McCallie School athletic trainer Doug May, previously with the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, received the Presidents’ Award of Merit from the Tennessee Athletic Trainer’s Society this past week, and Sarah Hulsey from the Sewanee training staff received the group’s 2010 Backbone Award. Additionally, UTC graduate Dana Johnston received the $1,000 graduate athletic training scholarship presented by TATS. The Backbone Award goes to “individuals whose commitment and enthusiasm exemplify unselfish loyalty to their respective programs, staff and athletes,” according to a TATS release. As for May, TATS president Chris Snoddy said, “We have been blessed with good leaders and members who have provided their time and talents in many ways. However, there are some special individuals, such as Doug, who, no matter what achievements they have reached and no matter how much they have contributed, still find ways to be involved.”
Football
* The Tennessee Crush crushed the nationally 15th-ranked Atlanta Cannibals 44-0 in a United South Football League North Division showdown Saturday night at Finley Stadium. Mark White ran an early interception back 99 yards, Chris McCreary and Willie Idlette each had two touchdowns, Ryan Rivers also scored and Darius McDonald recovered four fumbles for the Crush (7-1, 6-1), who recovered five in all and intercepted six passes.
Boxing
* The Westside Boxing Club has five boys qualified for the Ringside World Championships being held Aug. 3-7 in Kansas City, but they need help to go, according to Joe Smith. The boxing club is an extension of the Y-CAP program Smith directs for the YMCA but gets no YMCA funding, and he estimates that $2,500 is needed beyond what the fighters have raised for the trip. Anyone interested in helping should call Smith at 400-8472 by midweek.