GOLFERS BACK COURT ON MARTIN DECISION.

Byline: Vincent Bonsignore Staff Writer

The reaction of a sampling of local golfers to the Supreme Court's ruling Tuesday allowing disabled pro golfer Casey Martin to use a cart on the PGA Tour was much like the 7-2 ruling - mostly favorable but with some dissenters.

Martin suffers from Klippel-Trenaunay-Weber Syndrome, which left him with a withered right leg. Martin was born with the syndrome, which restricts the blood flow, making it impossible for him to walk the entire length of a golf course during competition.

The PGA refused to allow Martin to use a cart, feeling it would set a bad precedent and give Martin an advantage over other golfers who walk the course during events.

Martin, 28, sued the PGA Tour under the Americans With Disability Act, and the Supreme Court ruled 7-2 Tuesday that the PGA must allow Martin to use a cart if he qualifies for events.

``If I would have been voting I would have voted no,'' said Larry Atlas, an assistant golf pro at Robinson Ranch Golf Club in Santa Clarita. ``It just opens a big can of worms. Where do you draw the line? Does a guy who has asthma now ride in a cart? Or someone with a knee replacement? It takes away some of the integrity of the game.''

Brad Gallagher, who also works at Robinson Ranch, disagrees.

``I have a lot of compassion for the situation he's in and I think he deserves the chance to play,'' Gallagher said. ``I don't think it's going to have that much of an impact on people looking to use a cart. From now on the tour will look at things on a case-by-case basis and make the right decision. If a guy can walk he won't use the cart. If a guy has trouble walking, he should be able to use it. Everyone deserves the right to make a living.''

That was the argument Martin's lawyer presented to the Supreme Court.

``The (Disability Act) is intended to allow Americans to participate, and that is what this court has given Casey - not an advantage, but the right to participate,'' said Roy L. Reardon, Martin's attorney.

Martin's father, King Martin, said he understood the tour's argument, but he felt the sport lost a chance to deal with the issue positively by fighting it in court.

He said his son felt pressure with all the publicity given his condition, and wanted instead to focus on his golf.

``Casey wants to be known as a golfer, not a handicapped person,'' King Martin said. ``His passion and his vocation is golf, and he just wants a chance to prove himself.''

Some local golfers feel Martin was owed that chance.

``He should be able to use the cart, anybody in that type of situation should,'' said Paul Ladin, who plays at North Ranch and is preparing for next month's Senior Championships.

Ladin does think some caution should be shown.

``This shouldn't mean somebody with a blister should go through the course on a cart,'' Ladin said. ``But when the situation warrants it, when someone with a very real disability comes along, then I have nothing against it at all.''

The biggest concern for most golfers is what kind of advantage this will give Martin.

``It could give him a slight advantage on a really hot day at a hilly course,'' Gallagher said. ``But as long as he stays on the (cart path) and walks from his cart to the ball, he's still going to do plenty of walking.''

On the flip side, it could take away from Martin's mental preparation. Some golfers use the long walk between shots to analyze the situation and make the appropriate decisions.

``He won't have as much time to think between shots, so maybe it hurts him a little bit,'' Ladin said.

Ultimately, the consensus was Martin has a disability that prevents him from walking, but he is good enough to play pro golf and as a result the tour should make accommodations to allow him to play.

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