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COURT GIVES MARTIN DRIVER'S LICENSE, AS TOUR LOSES CASE

          Judge Thomas Coffin ruled yesterday in OR that Casey
     Martin has the right to ride a cart while competing in
     professional golf tournaments, making Martin the "first
     professional athlete to successfully sue under the Americans
     with Disabilities Act for a change in a sports
     organization's playing rules," according to Marcia Chambers
     of the N.Y. TIMES.  In his ruling, Coffin said Martin "is
     entitled to his modification because he is disabled.  It
     will not alter what's taking place out there on the course." 
     Chambers writes that the implications for other sports
     "could well be immense" should the decision stand, since the
     ADA states public accommodations, which the Tour "is now
     considered," must make "reasonable modifications to
     accommodate the disabled" (N.Y. TIMES, 2/12).  
          FROM EUGENE: In Chicago, Michael Hirsley reports there
     was a "smattering of applause" after Coffin's decision was
     read, as Martin "embraced" his family, friends and
     attorneys.  Coffin also stated that his granting Martin the
     use of a cart "does not mean, in any way, shape or form that
     anyone else has some right to a cart."  Hirsley: "But in a
     field where there are few precedents, this opens other
     litigative possibilities" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 2/12).  Coffin
     "rejected" the PGA Tour's defense that walking is "integral"
     to golf at the highest levels, saying walking "is not
     taxing.  Walking, like breathing, is natural" (WASHINGTON
     POST, 2/12).  On ESPN, Jimmy Roberts called the videotape of
     Martin's leg the "turning point" of the trial (ESPN, 2/11).
          TOUR VOWS TO FIGHT ON: In a statement, PGA Tour
     Commissioner Tim Finchem said the Tour was "disappointed" by
     the decision. Finchem: "The PGA Tour believes that the ADA
     was not designed or intended to apply to competitors in
     professional sporting events, including professional
     tournament golf.  For these reasons, the PGA Tour will
     appeal the court's findings in this case."  The Tour will
     comply with the requirement to furnish Martin with a golf
     cart for his use in Nike Tour events.  Whether carts will be
     provided to other competitors "with permanent disabilities
     is a matter that will be discussed with the PGA Tour Policy
     Board" (PGA Tour).  Late Tuesday, Finchem "did not sound
     optimistic" about the Tour's chances and said Coffin didn't
     understand the Tour's position because he didn't play golf. 
     Finchem: "It's troublesome that the person making the
     decision doesn't understand the situation."  While he
     "understood" the public's sympathy for Martin, Finchem added
     that "there are a lot of people who don't understand our
     position" (Bob Robinson, Portland OREGONIAN, 2/11).
          CASEY AT THE MIKE: ESPN's Jimmy Roberts interviewed
     Martin following the verdict.  Martin: "I thought the judge
     would really make a good decision.  I thought that if he
     ruled that it was a big enough part of the game that I
     needed to walk, then I would accept that and vice versa.  He
     said it wasn't a big enough issue" ("SportsCenter," 2/11).
          TV COVERAGE: ESPN went to Jimmy Roberts live in OR when
     the decision was announced.  CNN/SI had Ed Werder in OR for
     a report.  ABC's "World News Tonight" also filed a live
     report.  "NBC Nightly News" mentioned the verdict, but did
     not have a reporter in OR.  Dan Rather gave a 15-second
     report on the "CBS Evening News" (THE DAILY). 

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