Great news Monday. Sad news Tuesday.
Danbury native Ken Green had to withdraw from the CT Open because of pain in his right leg, which was amputated from the knee down after a horrific RV accident about 14 months ago that claimed the lives of his girlfriend, brother and dog.
"The pain was too much," Green said when reached where he's staying in Danbury. "It was unfortunately too much to handle. I wasn't able to get up and move around. The nerve endings went ballistic (Monday) night, and my leg swelled up so bad (Tuesday) morning that I couldn't get my prothesic on."
Despite missing several makeable putts Monday, Green shot a 4-over-par 74 in the first round at the CC Fairfield and was tied for 49th. The low 40 and ties after Tuesday's second round advance to the final 18 holes Wednesday.
But Green, a two-time winner who was low pro in another State Open, grimaced several times after shots, indicating just how much pain he was in despite two special treatments last week to try to freeze nerves in his leg.
"I guess it was too much too soon after the treatments, but that's my world now," Green said. "I played (Monday) because I wanted to play. Connecticut and the Connecticut Open have always meant so much to me, so I really wanted to give it a try.
"But now I have to get healthy. If the treatments work, I can get back to playing again this year. But the pain is wearing me down. I've got to get better, then golf will be easy."
Green plans to return to his home in West Palm Beach, Fla., in a week, then return to Connecticut in September and October.
Green was scheduled to start at 8:10 a.m. on the first tee with leader Kyle Gallo of Hop Meadow CC in Simsbury (5-under-par 65) and 2003 champion Steve Sokol of Orange Hills CC (72).
Barring a meltdown, Gallo will join John Golden (1932-35) as the tournament's only four-time champions. Gallo, who won his second State Open at Fairfield in 2000, birdied six of the last 13 holes for 64, a 36-hole total of 11-under 129 and a six-stroke lead over amateur Cody Paladino (Timberlin GC-Kensington, 68).
"After the first round, my goal was 15 under," said Gallo, who led by two shots after 18 holes. "Today was a continuation of yesterday. I played really well again."
Gallo and Paladino both live in Berlin and will paired in the final group Wednesday. Paladino, the 2006 Connecticut State Golf Association Player of the Year who will be a senior at Baylor, shoots for his first CT Open title.
Tied for third at 137 are former PGA Tour player Bobby Gage (Candlewood Valley-New Milford, 68) and amateurs Evan Beirne (New Haven, 69) and Brenden Chicorka (eClub of River Valley, 68).
Sokol shot 71 for 143 and a tie for 19th. Forty-six players who shot 146 or better, including tennis Hall of Famer Ivan Lendl of Torrington (75-146), qualified for the final round.
Gallo, Palladino and Gage will be paired Wednesday in the final group, which tees off at 10 a.m. For results and starting times, visit www.csgalinks.org.
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