Green's life takes another sad turn after tragic accident

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Ken Green had dealt with many struggles throughout his career but faces his toughest challenge yet after a tragic accident.

Champions Tour member Ken Green has taken his share of life's body blows over the years. But nothing like this.

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Green was in his RV on Interstate 20 in Mississippi on Tuesday when his right tire blew, causing a crash that killed Green's brother, Billy (who Green said was driving the RV); his girlfriend, Jeanne Hodgin of Greensboro, N.C., and his German Shepherd, Nip.

"According to witnesses, the driver lost control and the RV collided into a tree," Mississippi Highway Patrolman Malachi Sanders told the Meridian Star.

Kevin Richardson, Green's agent and close friend, visited Green on Tuesday night and said he expects Green to remain hospitalized for at least two weeks as the doctors have become more optimistic they can save his right leg.

"Ken said he was not driving; Bill was," Richardson said. "Ken was in the back (of the RV) and feels he would be dead if he was up front."

Green, 50, isn't believed to be facing life-threatening injuries, but his right leg may have to be amputated because it was mangled in the wreck. Green also suffered a broken left eye orbital and underwent surgery Monday night.

"We're just so shocked, we still can't believe this," PGA TOUR veteran Mark Calcavecchia, one of Green's best friends, said Tuesday from his home in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. "Ken has had to battle so many things in life and he's overcome a helluva lot. For him to have this setback now, after all he's dealt with ... "

Calcavecchia said Green is listed in stable condition at University Medical Center in Jackson, Miss. Green's sister, Shelley, who occasionally caddied for her brother, and her husband, PGA TOUR Rules Official Slugger White, were both at the hospital with Green.

"All of us at the PGA TOUR are saddened by the news of this tragic accident," PGA TOUR commissioner Tim Finchem said. "Our thoughts and prayers are with Ken Green and his family in this very difficult time."

Green won five PGA TOUR titles from 1985-89. His best year came in 1988, when he won two tournaments and finished a career-best No. 4 on the money list to help qualify for the 1989 Ryder Cup team.

Green was an aggressive player who didn't mind aiming at every pin. He was known for wearing green shoes and expressing his opinions.

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Ken Green won five times on the PGA TOUR in the 1980s.

But his career took a downturn in the early-1990s, when Green went through a bitter divorce and custody hearing. He was diagnosed with depression and also had to deal with serious shoulder and back injuries, as well as financial issues.

Following the 1995 season, Green never finished in the top 125. He made just 35-of-122 cuts after '95, biding his time until he turned 50 as he continued to deal with financial and personal problems.

He had played well on the Champions Tour this season, making $123,906 in 11 starts, including a seventh-place finish in the AT&T Champions Classic in March. He finished 37th Sunday in the Triton Financial Classic in Austin, Texas, and was headed to Hodgin's home in Greensboro to stay until the Dick's Sporting Goods Open in upstate New York later this month.

"I texted Ken on Sunday and he told me he had made enough money to qualify for some pension money, so he was feeling pretty good about his game," an emotional Calcavecchia said. "I though he was coming back home here (in Palm Beach County), so I wished him safe travels. That was the last thing I said to him."

Word of Green's accident was quickly spreading at the St. Jude Classic in Memphis and among his Champions Tour colleagues. Calcavecchia had just called Peter Kostis (their instructor), who was at Bethpage Black along with Paul Casey preparing for next week's U.S. Open, to give him the news.

"We're all in absolute shock," Champions Tour newcomer Olin Browne said. "You just feel for the guy. After everything Ken's been though, this is like piling on."

Green's affection for Nip was evidenced several years ago when he jumped into a canal outside his house to save the dog from an alligator attack.

In all likelihood, given his age and the severity of the injuries, Green's playing career may be over.

"It's going to take a miracle (for Green to continue playing)," Calcavecchia said. "But that's not something I want to think about right now."