The new year is just underway and already the PGA has a stranglehold on the 1998 Stupidity in Sports award. Professional golf has shown that checkered pants and weird color shirts are not the only things tasteless about the sport. In trying to keep Casey Martin from using a golf cart on tour events, the PGA has tried to say it's above the law, reinforced it's exclusionary image, showed that country club attitudes still exist, are collectively mindless when it comes to public relations and are determined to fight to the death in court in a battle they can't and won't win.
In the 10 years I've hosted Sports Byline USA, no subject has drawn so much discussion in such an emotional way. Golf is a sport only those who play the game or those who have an appreciation for chasing a little white ball through the grass are really passionate about. But the Martin-PGA battle was one everyone had an opinion on. It was David vs. Goliath. Throw in a humble, young, good looking guy who is trying to overcome the odds to play pro golf, but was dealt a bad leg by the big guy upstairs and you've got people who don't know whether a golf ball is stuffed or blown up voicing their opinions.
Martin's win in round one of the court battle was a no brainer. The issue is clear. The rules of golf and the PGA are superseded by the law of the land. In this case the law is the Americans for Disability Act. You can emotionally argue Martin will have an advantage over his fellow competitors riding in a cart. You can argue the walking tradition of the game will be hurt. You can argue, as Jack Nicklaus did, riding in a cart looks bad on television. It doesn't matter, the law is the law. Once you invite the public to your golf tournament, the facility becomes one of public accommodation and the ADA comes into effect. Don't like it, then change the law.
Let me address some of the callers and PGA's misguided, emotional arguments as to why Martin shouldn't be allowed to use a cart..
It'll change the tradition of golf. The PGA and pro golf are big business. They've changed the tradition of golf anytime it has suited them, made them more money or been forced to do so. Club shafts, balls and shoe spikes have changed. Tournaments have given special exemptions to players who no longer can play up to the current competitive level in order to draw crowds. And finally, that great PGA tradition of whites only didn't change until the 50's and only after other sports had long done so. And, it wasn't until the 80's that the PGA was forced to change their tradition of playing tournaments at non-integrated and/or male only member clubs.
Martin will have an unfair competitive advantage. Any benefit he might have by riding in a cart is more than offset by the fact he still has to compete with a serious disability. He has to deal with constant pain and the fatigue from dealing with that pain. Trial testimony pointed to walking golfers having an advantage. They're able to build their stamina and to keep their muscles loose by walking. The difference between winning and losing in golf is execution, not how you get to your ball. At the recent A T & T tournament, one of the tour's big names hit his tee shot into a bunker, then hit his second shot out of bounds. Since he was walking, maybe fatigue was a factor. Did I mention this happened on the first hole.?
What about other golfers who have pain but can't use a cart? The distinction is Martin has a disability not an injury. Injuries and pain make playing golf difficult, but injuries can heal, disabilities rarely do. Again, the ADA law supersedes the PGA's rules and injuries. It's not like the PGA doesn't allow players to use carts. To make sure the big name oldies but goodies players play on the Senior Tour and draw crowds to make money for the PGA, they allow them to use carts. If Martin was 50 instead of 25, he could use a cart. In preliminary and qualifying tournaments, players can use carts. There is no consistency in the PGA's rule that you must walk.
This will open up a can of worms. Change is not bad. If we didn't have it we'd all still be living in caves. Fans make the argument, what if a blind golfer or a person with an eating disorder wants to play on the tour? Do they get special treatment? First, being fat is not a disability. Second, even if it was, the fat person and the blind person would have to prove they can play to a professional level. Martin has shown he can. Then there are those callers who say it'll open a can of worms in other sports. If you have a disability it's highly unlikely you can compete in baseball, football or basketball. Martin can compete in golf, others who can't run, see, or are otherwise legally disabled, aren't likely to be able to compete at a level those professional sports require..
In the final analysis, I believe the PGA has been arrogant, insensitive, stupid and cavalier. They had a chance to change their image by showing they appreciate a player's ability, not how he gets to his ball. They continued their mental death grip on exclusion instead of inclusion. They let their ego and greed for power and control, overcome good judgment and an understanding that what they think is good for golf is not necessarily good for society. And last, but not least they failed to realize laws take precedence over golf rules. Especially antiquated ones.
I feel better now.
I'm Ron Barr.
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