The Washington times., 1929-04-15

or mental alls to answer g0H
Given up by doctors as q hope.
less case three years ago. Leidy
attributes his existence to golf, and
says that the sport saved him
from death when medical science
had reached its last resources. That's
not an idle statement, He can
furnish proof positive to the du.
bious. II
Picture a man with part Of his
abdominal organs removed, with
seven major operations, with nus
mefous scars made by. the surgeons
sharp knives. one OF which required
"a stitches, and today wearing a
special belt, and yet playing daily
from 36 to 54 holes of golf Trump
that one.
And those negatively wagging
their heads need only visit the
Town and Country Club any after
noon and they'll see this reincars
mated man lolling about the links
his face lit with contented gleam.
His last operation was per-
formed in March OF 1926. Up to
then he spent practically 10
months OF the year abed and
his condition grew steadily
worse.
There apparently was no remedy
for him, and he became despond-
ent. One day. three years ago, he
arose. dressed himself and alarmed
his relatives and friends by an
nouncing he was going over to the
Town and Country Club to play
golf. Thereupon began an asso-
citation with Arthur 3. Thorn, pro
at Town and Country Club. which
has ripened into brotherly COM
radeship. indeed, they are pals.
Leiiy jolxingly remarks that his
friends had expected almost any.
thing to happen and had every
thing on hand except the ambulance
and stretcher. They never dreamt
that this invalid would survive. but
I.eidy was determined.
OF course, Leidy gclfed casually
before his resolve to follow the
game as a Jealous player. Yet he
found that his ailments tired him
easily and often could hardly finish
nine holes. He states that fire.
quently he was so discouraged with
his condition that he wept when
he realized he couldn't have a
longer contact with his revered
sport.
This religious follower Of the
game guards not his love for
golf. He is not the pretentiOUs
or repulsive type, but desires to
preach the worth of gul1-the
benefits of the outdoors, fresh
air and sunshine, the subsequent
cOInpanfOnship, the exercise for
the body muscles and that. golf
is the greatest of all life-build-
ers and remedies.
He terms the links as natures s
own garden" and points to the
alluring green's and hills, remark
ing that none could turn away from
such beauteous scenes.
He never overlooks an oppor.
tunity to tell stranger of golf's
advantages and what the game did
for him.
He complains somewhat of neu-
ralgia in his arm, but says he Is far
healthier today than three years ago
and declares he is little affected by
his excessive golf He admits lit
tie touch of fatigue after a round,
but claims it is different than a
jaded feeling. On Easter Sunday,
he played ~ holes simply to illus
trate his devotion to golf.
He lives in Baltimore and goes
home every night, but always re-
turns the next day to Town and
Country Club in the afternoon, He
ar1vw ne hi -,
OF which he Is a member of the
green's committee, that he is buying
q, home about q mile from the club
property in order to be closer to
his home course-and Leidy Wor.
ships every blade, bunker and trap
at Town and Country and idolizes
Arthur b. Thorn. who first taught
him the games fundamentals.
Leidy has gOIfed over the en-
tire world and always carries a
set OF clubs when touring. He
never permits his business to
hinder his golf, for he'll gO'f on
a countryside hill II not within
reach Of club.
More than once has he left his
home at Baltimore, travelled to Rich.
nlond and West Point. Va, and then
returned to Town and Country for
his, golf, all within day. During
the last eight months, he has golfed
more than any 25 members of the
Town and Country Club.
knowing that the game Is help
ful, he is somewhat of a philan.
fhropist and seeks to have others
enjoy the fruits of the sport. He
purchased II carloads of white sand
for the traps at Town and Coun-
try and acted a genial host at the
Middle Atlantic pros sweepstakes
event there last Monday. He, has
a welcome hand and glad smile
for all who visit Town and Coun-
try. A N
Il pOssibIe and providing he has
the means, Leidy plans to bequeath
enough money to build four or
five courses for ) those unable to
join i club. That is an aim Of golf
crusader. Leidy estimates golf as
4 a 4. SaSNN