Golf

It's getting to be that Michael Phelps has as many magazine covers as medals. The latest? He's the cover model for Golf Digest's December issue. Last month the magazine wrote about Phelps sinking an incredible, 159-foot putt at the Dunhill Links in Scotland. The magazine estimated it might have been the longest putt ever televised. So he might just have earned that spot on the cover.  Phelps has been getting some attention for his swing as he studies with Hank Haney, an effort that will be televised on The Golf Channel's "The Haney Project" in February.

After finishing second in the state championship the past two years, Atholton junior Bryana Nguyen enjoyed a breakthrough performance with a two-day total of 144 to win her first individual girls state title last Wednesday at University of Maryland Golf Course in College Park. Nguyen took a one-shot lead into the final round and shot a 73 to hold off runner-up Delaney Shah of Wootton. Nguyen calmly sank a six-foot putt for par on the final hole to secure the victory. After missing a short putt for birdie on her opening hole of the final round, Nguyen came back with a birdie putt on the par-3 second hole to settle in. From there, she consistently found the fairway and played a steady round to stay ahead of her challengers.

The 14-year-old freshman made a sensational debut at the state golf championships last week, winning the individual boys title and leading the Mustangs to their first Class 2A-1A team title. Buch finished with a two-day, 4-under-par 138 to edge Pikesville's Matt Oshrine and Centennial's Connor Flach by a stroke at the University of Maryland Golf Course. He shot a 3-under-par 68 and trailed Oshrine by two strokes on the first day, then won the title with a 70 in the final round. Buch started playing golf at age 10 and plays at Cattail Creek Country Club in Glenwood.

In each of the past three years, the Marriotts Ridge golf team took the first-day lead in the Class 2A-1A state championship only to slip back on the second day. Again this year, an impressive opening round put the Mustangs at the top of the leader board going into Wednesday's final round at the University of Maryland Golf Course. This time, however, they had freshman Bennett Buch. With his second straight under-par round, Buch captured the individual boys title and led Marriotts Ridge to the elusive team title, the program's first.

Playing at Ruggles Golf Course at Aberdeen Proving Ground in a Tuesday match, the Harford Tech Cobras carded a team score of 233 to best Elkton and Edgewood. Elkton took second with a 262, while Edgewood did not post a team score. All of Harford Tech's golfers finished at 50 strokes or lower, with Noah Davis coming in with a 44 to lead the winning side. Andrew Small carded a 45, while Morgan Artman and Owne Rogers both posted scores of 47. Mason Paradiso scored a 50 in the victory.

The second annual "Putt for Pets" Golf Tournament to support the Maryland SPCA, sponsored by Atlantic Remodeling Corporation, will be on Friday at Mountain Branch Golf Club in Joppa. "We have supported the Maryland SPCA for many years as a sponsor of the March for the Animals and with our own golf tournament. Being able to adopt a pet has a real and positive impact on people's lives. Making pet adoptions easier is our way on giving back to the community," Bert Lebhar, president of Atlantic Remodeling, said in a press release.

For now, Michael Phelps is doing what any 27-year-old who has won more medals than any Olympian ever - and earned millions along the way - would probably do. Vacation a little bit. (You've probably seen pictures of him in Las Vegas and the Maldives .) Golf. (Of course, his golf game is the subject of a reality television show.) Date a model. ( You've read all about Megan Rossee by now.) And, because he's from Baltimore, eat crabs. “Pretty much I'm just living the retirement life,” Phelps said Monday after a ceremony/pep rally at Under Armour headquarters.

Submitting sports notices The deadline for submitting sports copy is 9 a.m. Monday. We prefer email (howardcountysports@patuxent.com). Questions? Call 410-332-6605. Golf Fall registration is open for all of the First Tee of Howard County classes. The PLAYer and PAR classes are filling up quickly, however, the BIRDIE and EAGLE classes still have openings. Register online at http://www.thefirstteehowardcounty.org . The schedule is on the program and instruction page.

Wedding Day: October 27, 2012 Her story: Jackie Ennis, 30, grew up in the Ruxton area. She is a recruiter for Ultimate Staffing and lives in Towson. Her father, Dr. Len Ennis, is a cardiologist at Good Samaritan Hospital. Her mother, Celia Ennis, is a community volunteer. His story: Peter Obrecht, 29, grew up in Baltimore County. He is property manager for Obrecht Properties and lives in Towson. His father, George Obrecht, is a principal with Obrecht Properties. His mother, Suzanne Obrecht, is a community volunteer.

Men's basketball Ex-Loyola star Walker to play for Greek team Former Loyola forward Shane Walker has signed a professional contract with AS Apollon Patras and will begin his career this week in Greece's A1 League. Walker, who graduated with a communications degree in May, helped lead the Greyhounds to the NCAA tournament last season for the second time in school history. He was the only player to start all 33 games last season and averaged nine points and 6.3 rebounds per game as a senior.