Disputation Over Casey Martin
For the professional golfer Casey Martin, the past couple years have been nothing but stress and turmoil. Martin suffers from a rare disease known as Klippel-Trenaunay-Weber Syndrome, which causes blood circulation problems in his right leg (Kozolowski 36). The Syndrome is troubling Martin more and more each day, making it difficult to complete a round of golf while walking. Casey Martin is an extremely talented golfer, yet he knows that this physical technicality could restrain him from success in golf as a career. ... After the Tour rejects his plea, Martin takes action against the Tour and their rules by filing a lawsuit. Martin’s main argument concerning the lawsuit was the Tour’s rules fall short of the ADA’s (American Disabilities Act) constitution discriminating against people with disabilities. ... Casey Martin has always been known as the ex-Stanford standout and Tiger Wood’s former college roommate. ... I began debating whether the courts should agree with Martin or with the stance of the PGA officials. ... When the whole topic arose, I began allying with the side of Casey Martin mainly out of compassion for the disabled. ... Within a short period of time, I had completely changed my opinion, no longer favoring Martin. Over the dispute of Casey Martin and the PGA Tour, the media has covered every detail they can grasp. ... Rothstein, author of The Review of Litigation, writes, “Perhaps the media coverage about sports and entertainment has been more positive because of attractive and popular individuals such as Magic Johnson and Casey Martin, who have disabilities and whose desire to participate in sports seems reasonable” (434). ... Casey Martin suing the PGA Tour is a forward press that could lead a massive breakthrough for all disabled athletes; but eventually chip away at many prestigious sports establishments. Over time, as my interest in the topic progressed, I continued collecting information that directly opposed the case of Martin. The first and main argument I present about the Martin case is that the PGA Tour has been around for more than one hundred years and can be said to be the most established professional sports association. ... Another point that favors the PGA Tour is that it is a private non-profit establishment, and because of this should be exempt from the ADA, which would completely eliminate Martin’s case (USDC 97-6309-TC). ... This means Casey Martin should be allowed to ride, fully protected by this Act. ... This separates Casey Martin from the public accommodation point, because Martin was not there on the golf course to seek exercise or even recreation; he was there as a professional to make money (USSC 00-24). ... If the courts allow Martin to ride, perhaps next year the courts will tell us that the holes need to be enlarged for those who have bad eyesight (Taylor 1627).