Sunday, September 26, 1999
Kids keep Dent in the swing
BY MICHAEL PERRY
The Cincinnati Enquirer
MASON — Jim Dent is a kind and generous man. He's also brave.
Despite turning 60 in May, Dent and his wife Willye recently adopted twin boys, who are only 6 weeks old. In 1995, the couple adopted a boy and a girl.
They give Dent all the motivation he needs on the golf course. He says he is just trying to earn enough money for his kids' college education.
“Oh man, it's the greatest thing in the world to be able to help somebody,” Dent said. “All kids want is love. The good Lord's been good to me, been blessing me, so let me bless somebody else.”
The first Kroger Senior Classic champion in 1990, Dent goes into today's final round at 6-under-par 134 — just one shot off Ed Dougherty's lead.
Dent boosted himself into contention with eight birdies in his second round, including five on the back nine.
“I missed a 2-footer on 10 for birdie and it kind of woke me up,” Dent said. “I was just trying to have fun. I had a great group (Bruce Summerhays, Walter Hall). You get guys like that and everybody feeds off each other.”
Dent joined the PGA Tour in 1970 but never finished better than a second-place tie.
Now in his 11th year on the Senior circuit, Dent has won 12 tournaments and close to $6.7 million — ranking him ninth on the all-time money list.
There were no grand plans to add to the family back home in Tampa, Fla. Dent also has two grown children, with whom he did not have a chance to spend as much time as a younger touring pro golfer.
But Victoria, his 4-year-old daughter, let her parents know that she wanted more brothers. An attorney friend of the Dents knew of a woman who wanted to give up her twins to a family that could provide a good home and good life.
Enter Joseph and Joshua.
“I can tell you one thing, old folks are not supposed to have kids, because kids never get tired.” Dent said. “You always have to go the park. They always want to do something. I have to keep going.”
On and off the course.
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