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).