Friends, TOUR pros raise money for recovering Green
By Craig Dolch, PGATOUR.COM Contributor
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- They wore smiles and green socks on their right leg. They exchanged shots -- verbal and with 7-irons -- and there were a lot more crooked drives to go with the straight talk.
But they were there Monday at Rees Jones Breakers West -- from a World Golf Hall of Famer such as Nick Price to a high-handicap amateur -- for one reason: To honor, and help raise money, for Ken Green.
Green, a five-time PGA TOUR winner in the 1980s, was involved in a Recreational Vehicle accident June 8 that left three dead -- Ken's girlfriend, Jeanne Hodgin of Greensboro, N.C.; Ken's older brother, William, of Indiantown; and Green's Ginger Shepherd, Nip. Green survived the accident, but had to have his right leg amputated just below the knee two weeks later.
Despite the amputation, Green, 51, is vowing to make history by returning to the Champions Tour with a prosthetic leg. But this day was more for the person, not the incredible quest he has before him. That's why a Hall of Famer like Price didn't hesitate when Green's close pal, Mark Calcavecchia, contacted him last month about taking part in the charity event.
"Anytime you have something like this happen to a comrade or fellow competitor, you want to help him," Price said. "I think by us giving a day, it helps him a lot financially, but you also come and boost his morale. It would be quite easy for him to step back in the woodwork and not do anything. This is wonderful to see all the local guys come out and support him."
Yet Price, one of the sport's most likable individuals, admitted he didn't really know what to say when he approached Green on Monday. What words seem appropriate?
"There's not really a lot you can ask someone who has lost half of his leg and most importantly, the three most important people to him," Price said softly. "Life is short, man. Life is short and you just have to make the most of it."
That's why Nicholas Thompson chose to fly all night from the West Coast, so he could be at Breakers West to support Green. It would have been easy for Thompson to pass on the day, considering he just went through the white-knuckle experience of moving into the top 125 at the PGA TOUR's final event.
"I heard the story," Thompson said of Green's tragedy. "I knew he was a great influence in golf. I like doing things for good causes or where something unfortunate has happened like this. I play every outing I can for breast cancer. This game gives so much to us, we need to give back as much as possible."
When told that Thompson had flown all night to take part in his charity event, Green just shook his head in amazement. "I've never even met the guy until now," he said. Then he showed some of his dry wit.
"He's probably only heard things about me, and Lord knows what he's heard," Green said, smiling.
PGA TOUR veteran Briny Baird grew up watching Green play on television, back when he won those five times and played on the 1989 U.S. Ryder Cup team. But because Baird's career was starting on TOUR after Green's had basically ended, the two pros had not met. Until Monday.
"People say, 'Hey, thanks for coming out,' " Baird said. "I don't feel like I'm doing him a favor by being here. I would assume people would do the same for me or anyone else in this position. It stops about being what are you getting paid and just do the right thing."
Too often, it seems, the PGA TOUR has been circling ranks around its own. Family members of Chris Smith, Skip Kendall, Jonathan Byrd and others have died this year, as well as the breast-cancer diagnose of Amy Mickelson. Players and their families haven't had to look far for support.
"It's like a fraternity, isn't it?" CBS announcer Ian Baker-Finch said. "It just goes to show what the PGA TOUR and the family atmosphere does for all of us. A lot of people see us as just a bunch of wealthy athletes playing golf for a living. Well, I see the other side."
Calcavecchia, who helped organize this fundraiser along with a recent one in Green's hometown of Danbury, Conn., with Green's agent/close friend Kevin Richardson, and PGA of America official Dan Baker, said he estimates the two events will raise almost $400,000 to help cover Green's medical expenses.
"He's very touched," Calcaveecchia said. "Like when the caddies donated $500, he said, 'It's not the amount, it's the thought.' Any little thing really touches him."
Like the special touch of having most of Monday's participants wear the green sock over their right leg as a show of support for Green. Among the PGA TOUR pros who volunteered their services Monday besides Calcavecchia, Baird, Thompson and Baker-Finch were Steve Marino, Jesper Parnevik, Brett Quigley, Fredrik Jacobson, Ken Duke, Richard S. Johnson and Kevin Johnson, as well as Bob Murphy and Dana Quigley of the Champions Tour; Michelle McGann of the LPGA Tour and Ryan Armour, Tom Carter, Jason Caron, Ryan Garrity and P.H. Horgan of the Nationwide Tour.
Baseball Hall of Famer Mike Schmidt showed his support by playing as an amateur, as did another ex-All Star, Larry Walker, one of Green's closer friends.
"The idea that that many people care ... it's mind boggling," Green said. "Between Connecticut and here, these are two of the best days I ever had as a person and what others do for others. I can't put it into words -- the right words -- what this means to me."
It was also fitting that trick-shot artist Dennis Walters gave a clinic before the pro-am. Walters had dreams of being a professional golfer before a golf-cart accident in 1974 left him paralyzed from the waist down. He has since become one of the sport's premier trick-shot artists.
Walters says he thinks Green can fulfill his dream by playing again on the Champions Tour. And that was before he learned Green recently shot a 68 at Breakers West from the white tees.
"I certainly think he can do it," Walters said. "For Ken, the things off the golf course will be harder. Once he gets his game back, that will be his sanctuary inside the ropes. When I was trying to recover from my accident, I always felt the best when I was at the golf course. This is good therapy for him. It was probably better medicine than any pill I can take."
Calcavecchia played his first round with Green since the accident Monday. Calc also thinks it's possible his buddy can play again on the Champions Tour, but that's not his ultimate wish.
"I know he wants to play well on the Champions Tour, but I would be the happiest if he could lead a pain-free existence and go around life as normal as possible," Calavecchia said.
For Green, there is simply a new normal.
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