Gailey

The conversation was focused on "shooting your age."More specifically, at what stage of a golfer's life should he consider the prime time to post a score the equal of his age.It was conceded to be before age 100 and after age 60. The best score ever recorded by a golfer at any age is 59.Still, the feat which has been described as the most satisfying thrill in the game has been accomplished at a wide variety of ages. It has been recorded even by golfers in their 90s.However, take it from former Piney Branch senior champion Vernon Sullivan, who, at age 72, feels he may be within striking distance of the rare accomplishment.

There's no letup in the ever-growing interest in state team golf.What was started as a Sunday afternoon social outing in the early years of the Maryland State Golf Association has blossomed into one of the keenest competitions on the schedule.Just to show how much attention the matches are getting, Piney Branch Golf Club of Hampstead had qualifying trials for its team last fall.Piney Branch professional Jeff Zachman said the idea of earlyteam selection was just one more attempt at producing the club's best possible lineup.

On December 30, 2004, LESLIE W.; beloved husband of the late M. Leanna Stanton (nee Keen); beloved father of Joan L. Gailey, Virginia F. Denford and the late Shirley E. Myers and Louis F. Stanton; great-grandfather of the late Melissa Bruns. Also survived by 17 grandchildren and 32 great-grandchildren and numerous great-great and great-great-great-grandchildren. Services at the Eline Funeral Home, 934 South Main St., Hampstead on Monday, at 11 AM. Interment in Lake View Memorial Park. Friends may call Sunday, 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 PM at the Funeral Home.

Former Georgia Tech offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien is expected to join the Maryland football staff early next week, replacing Rod Sharpless, who resigned, sources said yesterday. Yesterday, O'Brien, 32, would only confirm that he had tendered his resignation to Georgia Tech, where he began working as graduate assistant coach in 1995. He became the Yellow Jackets' running backs coach in 1998 and rose to their top offensive post after the 2000 season, when Ralph Friedgen left to become Maryland's head coach.

For the first time ever, there will be a recognized golf champion of Carroll County.While individual clubs annually conduct championships, there never has been a tournament to establish an overall county titleholder. But this has changed with the scheduling of the Carroll County Golf Championship, listed for Aug. 3 at the Wakefield Valley course.The 18-hole event, co-sponsored by Carroll County Bank and Wakefield Valley, is expected to be rotated at other Carroll courses in the future.With play limited to amateur golfers, there will be low net and low gross awards in all classifications -- men, women, senior men and senior women.

LANDOVER, Md. — It isn't just how you practice that matters to Mike Shanahan. How you park your car counts too. Shanahan, the Redskins' new coach, runs an organized and efficient program that adheres strictly to the book. His book. That became even more apparent recently when Dan Steinberg, who writes the D.C. Sports Bog for WashingtonPost.com, detailed some of the training camp rules Shanahan has for his players. Some of them are predictable: Players are required to run — not walk — to and from the huddle, on and off the field and 5 yards past the ball during drills.

More than talent is needed to win with a two-man golf team.Compatibility, understanding and patience are important, too. Those virtues beyond pars and birdies have enabled Wakefield Valley's Todd and Gerry Eckenrode to be the most successful golf combination in Carroll County golf history.When the Eckenrodes -- who are not related -- captured Wakefield Valley's 1992 two-man team championship last weekend, it marked their seventh triumph in this 36-hole scratch event. Their titles came in 1981, 1982, 1984, 1986, 1989, 1990 and 1992.

Carroll County's Piney Branch and Wakefield Valley clubs have drawn veteran opponents for first-round action of the Maryland state golf team matches.Piney Branch takes on Elkridge, one of the founding clubs of Baltimore golf, while Wakefield's 12-member squad faces Argyle of the Washington sector.This marks the first time Wakefield has met Argyle. Previously, Baltimore-area teams haven't been paired against a Washington opponentuntil the final round.Some 62 teams -- the largest field ever --are lined up for the matches on Saturday.

ATLANTA -- If Georgia Tech is interested in making Paul Johnson its next football coach, it might have to convince the Navy coach that the opportunity in Atlanta is better than openings at Duke and Southern Methodist. Johnson, who has had talks with SMU and Duke this week, might be the top outside candidate on Georgia Tech's list. Johnson was believed to be interviewing with Georgia Tech officials yesterday. There were indications that the interest Johnson has received from other schools could force Georgia Tech to make a quick decision on a possible offer.

BaseballNational League -- Announced the retirement of umpire Dutch Rennert.Seattle Mariners -- Agreed to terms with P Kerry Woodson and P Mike Remlinger on one-year contracts and C Mike Fitzgerald on a minor-league contract.Toronto Blue Jays -- Signed P Tony Castillo to a minor-league contract.BasketballMinnesota Timberwolves -- Fired Jimmy Rodgers as coach. Named Sidney Lowe (DeMatha, N.C. State) interim coach.CollegeNCAA -- Placed Winston-Salem State on three years' probation for allowing ineligible athletes to participate in several sports and providing extra benefits to football players.