In the wake of the Paralympics, the public eye has been attuned to the extraordinary potential of athletes who live with disabilities. However, even now, it remains rare that any athlete returns to the elite echelons of his sport after losing a limb. Now, Ken Green, a former U.S. Open top-ten golfer, is on the verge of returning to the green on par with his peers.
In June 2009, Green survived an RV accident that left him bereft of his brother, girlfriend, dog, and lower-right leg. For the past nine months, Green, 51, has worked closely with his prosthetist and coaches to get back into the swing of his career. On Friday April 23-Sunday April 25, he will be competing in the Liberty Mutual Legends of Golf in Savannah, Georgia, making him the first person with an amputation to play on the Champions Tour, according to a news story on the PGA Tour website.
“Ken’s strength, courage, and passion for the game are amazing and truly inspiring,” said Joe Rotellini, executive director of the Liberty Mutual Legends of Golf. “We are both humbled and honored that he will compete here in Savannah and look forward to cheering him on as he reaches this significant milestone in the healing process.”
