Take On Life

Hi everyone,

A day after I wrote a column about former Danbury resident and pro golfer Ken Green being scorned by the PGA Tour, Green and I finally had a chance to talk Wednesday by telephone.

By the time I finished my interview with the 51-year-old Green, I was shaking my head.

Again.

Two weeks ago, the Champions Tour rejected Green’s petition for a major medical exemption in the aftermath of last summer’s awful RV accident that took his brother, girlfriend, pet dog, and ultimately, his right leg.

A few months later, in January, Green lost his 21-year-old son, Hunter, who died suddenly after ingesting a toxic mix of drugs and alcohol.

Understand, Green isn’t asking for a favor from the Champions Tour. He is only asking for what is rightfully his.

After earning a 24-month playing exemption on the Champions Tour as a five-time PGA Tour winner, Green wants the remaining 13 months he had left after his accident.

Green was 11 months into the Champions Tour last June, you see, when his RV tumbled off the road in Mississippi. He deserves the remaining 13 months to see if he can bring this comeback home.

In no uncertain terms, the Champions Tour told Green no way. The clock started ticking in July 2008 and it will stop ticking in July 2010.

“They told me they tried to keep the emotion out of their decision,” Green said. “Really? Are you kidding me? I’ve lost everybody on the planet I loved.

“The worst thing is — the thing that really annoys me — is the way they’re spinning it. They just assume I’m going to get (sponsor) exemptions. I hope I am, but let’s be real: The only reason I’m going to get any exemptions is because of the emotion.”

Green said he will address the exemption issue tonight in Augusta, Ga., when he shares the Ben Hogan Award with Tom Watson. The award is given by the Golf Writers Association of America to golfers who remain active in the sport despite a physical handicap or serious illness, according to the GWAA.

“I will say something tonight and I’ll write something in my blog, but beyond that, there isn’t much I can do,” Green said. 

According to Green, the Champions Tour and the PGA Tour didn’t take into account that he’s only physically able to play 12 or 13 events a year, not the full Champions Tour schedule.

“I’ve got to go through a whole new learning process and I’m still fighting terrible nerve pain, which could last up to two years the doctors say,” Green said.

“Think about it: I’m not eligible for seven (Champions Tour) events because they’re majors and another five courses I can’t play because of the hills,” Green said. “Basically, a year on the tour for me is half a year for everybody else.”

Green admits he may not be able to finish what he started on the Champions Tour, even if officials reverse their decision, which doesn’t seem likely.

Even so, Green should be able to find out — on his own terms — if this comeback has an improbable, magical finish.

“I just want a chance,” Green said. “If I can’t do it, I’m willing to walk away.”