New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1921-04-24
Dempsey Finds !
Golf Is Helpful
In His Training
Champion, Under Tutelage
of Low, Develops Into an
Enthusiastic Link SIN a II
By Ray Mccarthy

to spend the day in killing couple OF
men, in drinking a paiful of OK gore
and in smuggling some unknowns around
for several hours. Those were the
good old days, long, long before prohi-
bition went into effect. The game or
golf in this country at that time WAS
still in its infancy. IT was played
mostly and exclusively by few old
Scots and one or two bankers. Prize
fighters and most of the other athletes
OF that time had not heard of the
game. And anybody suggesting to Suit
Ivan that he use the game as a means
of training would have been promptly
and brutaly murdered.
But great changes have been wrought
in this small world even in the short
space Of twenty-five years. And to-day
finding that they can develop the
sock in other ways than by drinking
everything and anything from blood TO
water and by doing jog of some fifty
or 100 miles a day.
Jack Dempsey's method of condition
ing, for instance, is vastly different
from that Sullivan or the other Jack
Dempsey used. And yet the critics and
experts tell US that the modern Demp-
and as mean as any the oidtimers pos
sessed. Of that we shall know more
probably on July 3.
But the fact remains that Dempsey
is powerful hitter, and yet his training
period probably would have been con-
sidered day off by his f3rebears. The
present champion INDUCES little in
And one game which he has found ex-
tremely beneficial in this, his prelimi-
nary training, is golf.
Learns Game on the Coast
Dempsey discovered the game quite
by accident. Last year while on the
Coast he had occasion to see several
professionals in action. He immediate
ly became interested, and decided to
try his hand at the Scottish pastime.
But he soon found that hitting the
little white pill was much harder than
it appeared to be.
Among the pros Dempsey met in
popular Baltusrol club player and
Tommy Kerrigan, the sharpshooter
of the Siwanoy Country Club. Each
invited Dempsey to play over hts
course when he came East. Summit,
N. j., the home of Welsh's health
farm, where Dempsey is now train
ing, is near the Baltusrol club, so that
when he went to Summit last week.
the title holder wasted no time In
Since then Dempsey has played
a round daily. And he intends to
play one round day. or as often as
possible, until he starts strenuous
training. three weeks before the time
of the fight. He has developed an in
terest in the game, he likes it and
finds it big help in his training. For.
as he said, sit takes a person out into
the air and makes a pleasure Of walk
ing"
As golfer Dempsey is much bet
ter fighter. He is practically starting
to play the game and naturally has
much to learn. But the lad has pos
siblities, and if he sticks to 1T there
isn't doubt that in due time he
will play good game. However, ne
gets enough fun and exercise out Of il
as he plays it now, SO that he will
benefit greatly in any event.
Is Improving in Golf
Under the tutelage of George Low he
has come along rapidly. Last week the
writer had the pleasure of playing in
two-ball match. with Tom Kerrigap
against him. George Low was Demp-
sey's partner. Never having met the
king Of the pugilists we awaited his
coming with mingled feelings Of curl
osity and anticipation From his pic
lures we had judged him to be sort
of sullen fellow, intent only on ami
hilating all ring opponents.
When he turned the corner of the
clubhouse were dumfounded by
hearing CHEEKY greeting and turned
to see a big, smiling, boyish- looking
natured lad. And that is what we
found him to be.
He joked about the match and his
game and promptly prepared for the
contest by shedding his coat and TAX
J ing a driver from the bag. AS he TOOK
his stance on the first tee we had a
good chance to look him over. Big
shoulders, broad ana deep chest like
Babe" Ruth's, it's easy to see where
he gets all of his hitting power. He has
I big forearm and meaty hands. al
though the a,itts are not exceptionally
large. His waist is particularly small
and he has short thin legs. He takes
a very short stride in walking, much
as Ruth does
al don't play this game WE'LL" he
said, as he teed his hall, but George
promises to make a star out of me.
He's got his work cut out for nim."
The first drive he dubbed swayed his
body and crooked his elbows sharply
on the back swing. But he played out
OF q bunker we'll on that same first
hole. He showed he is determined
kind of man when he went right after
his drive on his next turn. That tina4
he laced out low, straight ball that
gos word of praise from the veteran
Low. The drive pleased Dempsey and
he smiled like boy. That's his game
OF golf as presently constituted. very
spctty and faulty. But, as stated
above. when he connects he hits very
long ball
Is in Good Condition
At present he appears to be in good
condition. although we saw no coat Of
tan covering his face, as was reported
when he arrived here last week. He il
taklng it easy just at present, doing A
LITTLE road work In the morning and a
little boxing in the afternoon. He
says ne Will start real work about ore
month before the date of the fight.
He says little about the coming scrap.
he stated that he never saw Carpentie
In action. But there is no doubt about
his seriousness regarding this coming
struggle. His brow becomes wrinklesI
when the subject is mentioned to his,
and his answer is mostly scowl.
Asked about the fight with Brennan.
dempsey declared ne was overtraiped5e
Il did aot seem TO be able to get ga
ing that night. felt all right before i
entered the ring, but l guess | was
overturned. And let me tell YOU thai
fellow Brennan is tough bird There's