Part-time disabled golfer Casey Martin has bigger balls than most
Take note, U.S. Open competitors (and golfers in general): Casey Martin, a 40-year-old disabled golf coach for the University of Oregon, deserves even more props than he already does, if that’s possible.
Martin got off to a rough start, jumping on the bogey train and playing the first six holes at five-over par. He rallied in very difficult, windy and cold conditions in the later afternoon to post a four-over 74 in the first round at Olympic Club.
Olympic is an extremely challenging golf course and the U.S. Open setup takes it to another level — one some find “unfair” or “over the top” or “too hard.”
Take your pick.
Well, if you feel the U.S. Open is “too hard,” then guess what? Don’t play in it and don’t sign up for the qualifier. I know at least one Tour winner who has skipped it the last three years because he says half-jokingly that he’s “not good enough.”
Guess what? Man up and stop whining. Take a moment and just try to imagine what Martin has to go through to play a round. You have no idea. Put things in perspective and remember how lucky you are to play pain-free (at least most of the time). Besides, everyone has to play the same course. There are going to be iffy pins and things that are “unfair” or make you go “WTF?”
It’s almost a sadistic experience, but you’re playing in the effing U.S. Open. And if you don’t like it, there are plenty of alternates that would love your spot in the field.
Again, Casey Martin, a part-time golfer and full-time golf coach who prepared for the major championship by playing in BBQ circuit scrambles, not only qualified for the U.S. Open at Olympic fourteen years after he placed T23 here in ’98, but he managed to post a 74 on Thursday.
“I think it’s been five or six years since I’ve been in a legit tournament that you would actually say, hey, this is a golf tournament,” said Martin on Monday in his pre-tournament press conference. “A lot of barbecue circuits, a lot of scrambles, let me tell you. I played a lot of scrambles. And I did ‑‑ twice before my preparation for this was playing in a Young Life scramble and an Oregon Club scramble.
“So that’s I guess how you prep for a U.S. Open. You play golf courses from about 6200 yards in a scramble.”
Admittedly, Martin was extremely nervous on the first tee on Thursday afternoon.
“I tried not to be,” said Martin after his round. “I tried to realize that there’s really not much pressure on me, but it didn’t work…the first five or six holes were a stress. Obviously they were really hard, but I missed a couple putts and did some stuff that wasn’t great. But fortunately the birdie on 7 settled me down and I was able to play nicely after that.”
I’ve observed him walk with a limp and practice over the last few days and I’m trying not to look like I’m staring, but if it does, it’s only because I’m in awe and so inspired by his tenacity and heart. At his press conference on Monday, I just sat back and soaked it in. He was everything I expected him to be like: charismatic, candid, self-deprecating, funny, likeable, you name it.
Martin himself admitted to feeling fearful of playing the demanding golf course. The guy lives and plays golf in incredible discomfort because he was born with a rare circulatory condition in his right leg that left him disabled. He’s in constant pain. Getting in-and-out of the cart he rides during rounds (which he fought the PGA Tour in a lawsuit that reached the supreme court) isn’t easy for Martin, let alone walking and swinging a club.
Martin hadn’t felt nerves like he did on the first tee on Thursday in a very long, long time. The sectional qualifying is one thing, but the U.S. Open is another, especially for someone who hasn’t competed in 5-6 years. It’s hard to deal with the emotions that you used to be able to manage after such a long time. At the same time it’s kind of like riding a bike, except this is a major championship and Martin wasn’t sure he’d still have his leg 14 years after playing in his first U.S. Open in ’98 here.
“I’m trying not to be overly dramatically that way other than that’s how I feel, it’s just really really stressful,” Martin told reporters. “Especially when I’m not used to playing in front of people and there’s people and then the fairways are really tight and the greens are so tough. It’s just everything combined I just, it’s overwhelming at times, but you just got to kind of take a deep breath and just try to (calm down).”
To see this man grind it out in the cold, gusty conditions late Thursday afternoon and beat almost 100 other players who aren’t disabled sparked goosebumps up my spine. Just watching him and hearing him talk is incredibly inspiring. I can’t explain it, but even if you’ve seen him on TV, then you probably know what I mean.
How did he feel physically after the round?
“Okay,” he replied.
Which means “awful,” but I don’t want to make a big deal out of it. Even though he’s riding in a cart, there are still some hills he has to walk up (and trust me, the course is a hike — I had a few people give me some strange looks because I was out of breath all day…which is partly due to a chronic injury).
I’m not sure many expected him to break 80, but I think we’ve learned with Martin that he has more passion and grit than the average person can fathom. Who knows if Martin’s health and game can hold up another 18 holes at Olympic, but if anyone can do it, he can. Now, wouldn’t that be something?
Martin is paired in the first two rounds with the other big Cinderella story at sectional qualifying 42-year-old director of golf, PGA club pro Dennis Miller and 19-year-old amateur Cameron Wilson.
“We’re all fish out of water I think as far as this level,” said Martin.
*****
This is a little random, but I’ve been thinking about Casey Martin’s story and meaning to write something more thoughtful ever since he qualified. So here we go.
Believe it or not — in ’98 I didn’t watch very much golf on TV. I was 15. I practiced every day after school ’til dark. I played more tournaments than the LPGA currently has on its schedule throughout the year. As a teenage girl, the last thing I wanted to do in my free time was to watch other people play golf. In turn, I’m rusty with my golf history in that department. However, there are a few memories — especially from 1998 — that stand out.
One was Casey Martin’s lawsuit against the PGA Tour and his case, along with hearing about the condition of his leg, and then seeing him ride in the cart in between shots at the U.S. Open.
I also remember watching Tiger Woods for the first time in real life at the ’98 PGA Championship at Sahalee and being traumatized to see THE Tiger Woods throw clubs, curse and act like a chump. Which, I might add, was truly scarring and shocking. I recall seeing Vijay Singh play the 18th hole and win, along with him hoisting the trophy on 18 during the presentation.
Most of all, I remember Tiger’s former caddie Mike “Fluff” Cowan trying to give away Tiger’s ball after the third round to kids waiting alongside the walkway after 18. I was one of them, but bigger than the younger boys who were in better position. They kept dropping the ball, though. Fluff kept going out of his way to pick it back up and try again. The third time, it landed in my hands.
But I digress, Martin’s story and case inspired me. I felt sympathetic and compassionate. I didn’t see what the big deal was. As a competitive junior golfer at the time, I understood that walking is an integral part of the competition (well, kind of), but that’s not the issue with Martin. He has a birth defect that prevents him from walking 18 holes, no less in general.
It’s not like he sprained his ankle or has a torn ligament in his knee. And I guarantee that not a single player — no matter how injured they are — would try to take advantage of Martin’s successful lawsuit against the PGA Tour to ride in a buggy at a tournament. No one wants to be *that* person. No competitive athlete or golfer wants special treatment or their peers to see them as having an advantage, unless it’s absolutely 100% justified and necessary — which was Martin’s case.
Actually, the whole point is Martin’s not even getting an advantage on the field.
It’s funny looking back on how controversial the case was back in ’98. Those who fought Martin publicly and haven’t apologized since then should be ashamed of themselves. Actually, as a society, we should feel ashamed that it was even an issue. I understand where the Tour was coming from and the fears this would open the floodgates of some sort, but that was never going to be a problem. Instead, the powers-that-be chose to bully a disabled Casey Martin, who has more guts and tenacity than half the tour combined.
Hindsight is 20/20, but if I was able to understand the situation at 15, then…well, yeah. Point is, this was not about protecting the integrity of the game. It was simply workplace discrimination. Think about it.
End rant.
(AP Photo/Ben Margot)
I think the world of Casey, but I don’t understand this feeling that the no-cart rule was discrimination, and that it is a no brainer that it should not be in place today. It is a walking sport, that is there decision to make, and they made a decision. All your arguments about players not “wanting” to be that guy are fine, but the fact is there will be a guy who has some lesser injury or condition that he decides he would rather take the cart than lose the opportunity to be a multi-millionaire. Everyone sees how admirable Casey is, but I still don’t think today they would/should change the rules of the Tour.
You’re spot on, Steph – Martin doesn’t get an advantage, all he gets is a levelled playing field.
@BrianS I’m trying to keep it civil here and swallow the obvious pun about who’s the no-brainer here, but just try contemplating that it’s not always about the money, or rather that there are some things that even Mastercard can’t buy. – In 1998 purses weren’t where they are today, that only started a year later, when Tiger broke through. I think it’s fair to say that all that Martin ever wanted was a chance to play and maybe win. He obviously has a great mixture of unbelievable talent and iron will.
If there’s one tour where people ride in carts and play mostly for the money, it is probably the Champion’s Tour. I don’t see anyone there being ashamed of using their opportunities to become a multi-millionaire while riding a cart.
This is a rule that applies to many other people other than Casey Martin. How does one determine to what extent the person’s condition is equalized with taking a cart? What if a guy weighed 350 lbs? and claimed that was his disability and that even the short walk to and from the cart in his case was equal to what all the others did ? And it might absolutely be true btw. And again Martin is a great person and a great inspirational story, but when you make rules you have to look beyond that. Think about the next guy, a (theoretical) 48 year old vet with a bad knee but otherwise serviceable game that wants to keep hanging on ? How do you determine the degree of pain/gain vs their condition vs. walking the course/taking a cart? Its sad but true fact that people with disabilities have a harder time playing competitive sports.
His case then, and now, walked a thin, knife’s edge line. Casey is certainly a remarkable and inspirational story, and I don’t begrudge him any of his success. However, being a professional golfer is a privilege, not a right. I believe that any private entity has the right to set their membership criteria as they see fit, without government intrusion. If you don’t meet or agree with those criteria, then you don’t have to be a member of that organization. Again, it is a very slippery slop, made even more slippery by the very unique circumstance of having someone that is clearly physically disabled, but also clearly a physically talented athlete.
So the NBA should be able to say no African – Americans allowed? The ADA is a federal law, any organization in the US is subject to US law, and that’s as it should be (think banking regulation, any of that sort of stuff, it’s the same principle).
Yes, they could choose to do that. I’m not saying that is right or wrong, but it is their right as a private entity to do so. I cannot join the American Dental Association, as I do not meet their qualifications because I am not a dentist. Should I sue because they are discriminating against non-dentists? I do not believe that being a member of the PGA tour falls under the ADA. It is not a job that you are hired for. It is a privilege you gain by meeting the entrance requirements set by the PGA tour. Casey knew the requirements and rules when he went out for the tour. But really, this issue has been discussed ad-nausea, much like the Masters issue. Just like the other major issues that divide our country, everyone has an opinion, and arguing about it in the comments of a small time golf blog isn’t going to change that.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts here. It’s not a rant. I would have like you to name names, though. We all love Jack Nicklaus for all he’s done but he was myopic, aloof, condescending, and unkind to Casey Martin, and that’s putting it mildly. The way the golf establishment lined up against him with its ridiculous specious arguments — and double-barreled PR campaign — was embarrassing. If they had to live five minutes with Casey Martin’s leg they’d hang their heads in shame. To argue that this man has any kind of unfair advantage over anyone is fucking ludicrous.
Well said Kevin…
Re Casey’s outfit yesterday, he had a lotta green to work with.
Brian S.
I understand your argument regarding where do you draw the line? People are odd creatures. Whenever there is an exception made for a person or group of people there is a portion of our society that immediately becomes skeptical and assumes that this will allow/tempt others to gain that exception.
The reality is that most people do not want special treatment. They don’t want to be singled out for being different. How many people have asked the PGA Tour for a cart since Casey? None to my knowledge. Typically there is a self pride deep in the human spirit that prevents most people from trying to cheat the system. Of course there are those that do, but playing golf at the tour level is not something you scam your way onto.
@Randy – Do I agree that further exemptions are unlikely to be requested if the rule were relaxed for Casey? Yes, absolutely. But that is not how policies are made. But per Stephanies post as well as some of the comments, the Tour is being made out to be discriminating bigots (or whatever someone without the proper level of sympathy would be called) that have no basis for their opinion and policy other than evil intent. there are two sides to most issues, sometimes two sides with good intentions, and I don’t think it helps anything to rip the Tour without trying to see their side.
@BrianS – True that is not how policies are made but that does not mean policies do not need to be reviewed and updated from time to time. I don’t think discriminating bigots would be the correct term for how people are characterizing the Tour. I think insensitive and short sighted are fair terms. I agree that the Tour had every right to protect it’s brand and I don’t think any single person representing the Tour in the matter was evil.
I agree with many on hear that the Tour could have handled the situation differently. You hope that common sense/sensibility/compassion are things that do not require a Supreme Court ruling.
All said I think more good than harm came out of the situation. The Tour was able to protect the brand. Casey was able to play with a cart. People with disabilities had a very powerful ruling in their favor on the books with highest court. Progress is always a struggle.
Everything we do is a “slippery slope” even if you decide not to go down the “slope” at all you’re still making a choice. It’s a specious argument.
As to the Casey Martin decision, it’s actually very narrow, you have to document a disability under ADA. A sore back doesn’t cut it. This is why you’ve seen very few claims since the ruling was made.
I really see both sides here. I wish all the best for Casey and I am glad it was not my decision.
How about just let everyone ride a cart and also wear shorts?
Hey it is just a game.
@BHolley….it is not a bad idea. It may be the only solution to the speed of play issue.
BrianS
The key words in your comment is that Golf is a sport. I play with a similar condition it takes 4 holes to get moving and by the 15th I’ve reached the limit. It would be nice if people realised that those with a problem do not have a large “D” tattooed on their forehead and courtesy on the golf course costs nothing. It is hoped that your comments are from the splendid ignorance of inexperience, and one day you may respect the efforts that Casey makes to lead a normal life and enjoy his sport.
Casey is a terrific guy and inspirational in how he has dealt with his disability.
However, the Supreme Court ruling did not hinge on the issue of workplace discrimination.
It hinged on the issue of whether walking is an integral part of the game of golf. The PGA argued that it was, at least at the level of their Tour. Casey argued that it is not.
The judges who ruled in favor of Casey did not grasp how playing a round on the PGA Tour is different than an amateur playing a Sunday round at his local course.
Walking IS an integral part of the PGA Tour game. If anyone who can’t walk gets a cart, why wasn’t Tiger Woods offered one at the 2008 U.S. Open or why isn’t Fred Couples given one every week? If this were a workplace discrimination case or an ADA case, anyone who has a temporary injury would get to ride in a cart and obviously that is not happening.