Erik Compton - another Casey Martin dilemma?

[pjsnyc]

http://sports.espn.go.com/golf/news/...=ESPNHeadlines

What do you guys/gals think? Should he be allowed to use a cart and take beta blocker medication? I know the man has gone through TWO (not one) heart transplants and continues to pursue his dream, but I see another Casey Martin situation on the horizon.

[Harry Longshanks]

http://sports.espn.go.com/golf/news/...=ESPNHeadlines

With the precedent of the Supreme Court's ruling in the Martin case, I don't think the PGA has much of a choice. Although it's been a while since I've read about the Martin case, I believe the Supreme Court ruled that the PGA was subject to the provisions of the A.D.A. (Americans with Disabilities Act). Allowing use of Beta Blockers is a no brainer - it is medically necessary. (Just like Shaun Micheel's use of testosterone).

The cart issue is bigger though. Right now the waiver is just for Q-School. I'm guessing the PGA is hoping that Compton doesn't get his card at Q-School, in order to avoid any controversy about using a cart at Tour events. I suspect they caved on Q-School so easily because: (a) the Martin precedent; (b) they don't think Compton has a realistic shot at getting his card; (c) trying to avoid any unnecessary publicity that would be caused by denying Compton the right to use a cart. Also, Compton is aiming for a full recovery, which would allow him to walk the course again. Martin, on the other hand, needed a cart forever, as his condition only worsens with time. So it's less of a risk for the PGA. (But it does make me wonder if there was some under the table bargaining: Let me use a cart at Q-School, and if I get my card, I won't ever ask to use one on Tour. Don't let me use a cart at Q-School, and I'm going straight to the media.)

[glebert]

Golf Digest had a nice interview with Casey Martin not too long ago and he said that he hated the cart, and found it to be a major obstacle because it is hard to negotiate through the crowds at a PGA event, and he found himself being distracted by the logistics of the cart rather than focusing on his game.

[Lemay427]

let the man use a cart. who cares. the only people it affects are the fat asses that cant walk the course anyway.

[iacas]

With the precedent of the Supreme Court's ruling in the Martin case, I don't think the PGA has much of a choice.

I'm assuming you mean the PGA Tour, and yes, they do. A heart transplant is not the same as a congenital, long-term disability or illness. Compton himself is saying that as soon as he can play without the use of the cart, he's going to - and I think that's fine. I think it's good of the PGA Tour to let him use a cart in Q School when he actually needs it, and I think it's good that he's not asking to use it forever.

Allowing use of Beta Blockers is a no brainer - it is medically necessary.

Agreed.

I'm guessing the PGA is hoping that Compton doesn't get his card at Q-School, in order to avoid any controversy about using a cart at Tour events. I suspect they caved on Q-School so easily because: (a) the Martin precedent; (b) they don't think Compton has a realistic shot at getting his card; (c) trying to avoid any unnecessary publicity that would be caused by denying Compton the right to use a cart.

I think they're well within their rights, the Martin case notwithstanding, to deny him access to a cart once it's deemed he can walk. Again, it's not a birth defect, and he will get to a point where he can play golf without a cart. Once that point is reached, the PGA Tour will take the cart away.

Given what I've heard this fellow say, though, it won't get to that point - he'll stop using the cart as soon as he thinks he can stop using it.

Let me use a cart at Q-School, and if I get my card, I won't ever ask to use one on Tour. Don't let me use a cart at Q-School, and I'm going straight to the media.)

I think that's a bit of a stretch. I think all parties are just going on that assumption.

Most Q-School graduates don't get into many early season events. Don't they have status below those of Nationwide Tour graduates? Even those guys don't get into many early-season events. In other words, he has lots of time to get strong enough before he will play the PGA Tour (assuming he makes it). So basically, this is a non-story. He doesn't want to use the cart, but is due to a medical condition. As soon as he doesn't need it, he'll stop. It's a rare, rare, rare case and has been handled as such.

[pjsnyc]

I guess my initial thinking after reading the article leads me to believe that his heart condition (he's had 2 transplants) will sort of be like a sine curve. It'll be bad, then good, then deteriorate until he needs yet another transplant - and this issue (assuming he'll want to continue golfing) will continue ad infinitum. Then again, I'm not his doctor so I'm not positive it'll happen again...but he had heart problems on a fishing trip! Who knows what'll happen when he has to walk a few miles in hot weather.

[Monsieurgolf]

Golf Digest had a nice interview with Casey Martin not too long ago and he said that he hated the cart, and found it to be a major obstacle because it is hard to negotiate through the crowds at a PGA event, and he found himself being distracted by the logistics of the cart rather than focusing on his game.

Also, if you read Rick Reilly's "Who's Your Caddie" he spends a round with Casey Martin...holy cow! Once you realize the amount of pain he was in with this leg, plus the hard time he had navigating the course with a cart and fighting the crowds and then not being able to get in a groove because of not walking...it really makes you feel for Martin. I wonder if the PGA really spent any time on the course with Casey to understand what he goes through. Based on some of the other pro's comments, I doubt many knew how bad his leg really was.

[glebert]

I wonder if the PGA really spent any time on the course with Casey to understand what he goes through. Based on some of the other pro's comments, I doubt many knew how bad his leg really was.

In the interview it was amazing when he said he should probably just have it amputated (and probably will have to eventually) because it would hurt less.

[ganjagolfer]

good for the pga! it would have been so silly if this had to go to court like it did for casey

[ImBurningStarIV]

I think all the people saying he would have an unfair advantage using a cart, should ask themselves if they would trade places with him, I think the aswer would be, no!

[Harry Longshanks]

Also, if you read Rick Reilly's "Who's Your Caddie" he spends a round with Casey Martin...holy cow! Once you realize the amount of pain he was in with this leg, plus the hard time he had navigating the course with a cart and fighting the crowds and then not being able to get in a groove because of not walking...it really makes you feel for Martin. I wonder if the PGA really spent any time on the course with Casey to understand what he goes through. Based on some of the other pro's comments, I doubt many knew how bad his leg really was.

How about Reilly's description of when Casey Martin showed him the leg?

Mucho respect for Martin. Very glad he got the head coach job at Oregon.

[Q.Q.Quillume]

In the 1st stage of the PGA Tour Q-School Compton is T56 after 54 holes of the 72 hole qualifing tournament being held in Key Biscayne.

1st stage tournaments are being held at six locations with the top-23 + ties from each site advancing to the 2nd stage.

It doesn't look as if Compton will advance to the 2nd stage since he'll need to jump over more than 30 players in today's 18-hole round.

More information can be found here .

[Q.Q.Quillume]

In the 1st stage of the PGA Tour Q-School Compton is T56 after 54 holes of the 72 hole qualifing tournament being held in Key Biscayne.

Against all odds, Erik Compton fired a fourth round 68 (the best score of the day), made up seven shots and advanced to the 2nd stage of Q-School. Erik finished the 1st stage in Key Biscayne tied for 23rd with six others.

Wow, I'm impressed!

[jonanthans]

Good, glad to hear that he made it. That guy has some real heart (no pun intended) and obviously has the talent.

[MSDOGS1976]

I'm so glad he will advance. It is amazing he is able to play this well after just 5 months from his 2nd transplant, even with a cart. I hope he makes it all the way, but if he doesn't....he should get several sponsor exemptions. Who wouldn't want him in their tournament?