Disabled golfer wins right to ride

Martin claimed the PGA violated the Americans with Disabilities Act

Handicapped professional golfer Casey Martin has won a US Supreme Court case against the PGA Tour, allowing him to use an electric cart to ride around golf courses during pro tournaments.

The court, in a 7-2 decision, upheld an appeals court ruling that said the Professional Golf Association cannot discriminate against handicapped persons.

The use of carts is not itself inconsistent with the fundamental character of the game of golf

Justice John Paul Stevens

Martin, 28, has a degenerative circulatory disorder on the right leg that makes walking a golf course nearly impossible.

He had claimed the PGA violated the Americans with Disabilities Act by not letting him ride in a cart.

Discrimination

On Tuesday Justice John Paul Stevens declared that the PGA, "as a public accommodation ... may not discriminate against either spectators or competitors on the basis of disability."

He also wrote that allowing Martin, "a talented golfer," to ride in a cart, would not "fundamentally alter the nature" of the tournaments.

"We observe that the use of carts is not itself inconsistent with the fundamental character of the game of golf," Justice Stevens wrote.

"Indeed the walking rule is not an indispensable feature of tournament golf either."

Judges divided

Justices Antonin Scalia and Clarence Thomas disagreed and said the ruling "exercises a benevolent compassion that the law does not place it within our power to impose".

Martin said he was happy with the ruling: "I was prepared for both rulings and was happy with the way it came down."

I don't agree with the rule - walking six, seven miles a day is part of the programme

Steve Pate

"This opens some doors for some people. Before an institution does not give accommodations, they will have to think twice. Hopefully it will have a trickle-down effect," he added.

Martin wears a strong support stocking to keep the swelling down in his right leg, but still experiences constant pain.

Players opposed

Responding to the judgement PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem expressed his admiration for Mr Martin, but said that "the issues involved go well beyond considerations involving an individual player".

He added that the PGA Tour felt the Supreme Court ruling is written in a narrow fashion and that it applies only to Martin.

Jack Nicklaus and Steve Pate are among the players who have spoken out in favour of the PGA.

"While I admire what he does, I don't agree with the rule. Walking six, seven miles a day is part of the program," said Pate.