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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 12, 1998)
. - J Golf decision strikes debate j By Sam McKewon Senior Reporter The decision to allow golfer Casey Martin to ride a cart to com pete on the PGA Tour could also change the face of collegiate golf. Currently, all collegiate golfers are required to carry their own clubs on the course without the aid of a caddie, which is provided in the professional ranks. Todd Turner, chairman of the NCAA Men’s Golf Committee and athletic director at Vanderbilt University, said more players may qualify to ride carts if they have disabilities. “It is a possibility that things could change,” Turner said. “We have made some allowances in the past to ride carts in inclement weather and other things.” Turner said the emotional response surrounding Martin’s sit uation could lead NCAA golf offi cials to determine what is in the best interest of the athletes. “What we want to do is what’s best for the student,” Turner said. “We have to use great sensitivity in looking at this.” Nebraska Men’s Golf Coach Larry Romjue said he doesn’t think Martin should be allowed to play with a cart and would be against changes in collegiate golf. “I don’t agree with it,” Romjue said. “It’s like putting springs on the shoes of basketball players who can’t jump as high.” The debate around Martin cen ters on the Americans With Disabilities Act, which guarantees the rights of the disabled. Martin’s right leg suffers from a rare circu latory disorder. Martin said he had a right to compete in the PGA and its junior circuit, the Nike Tour, with a cart because his condition fit under the definition of the ADA. Romjue said while he sympa thized with Martin’s plight, the ADA should not be applied to pro fessional sports. “The PGA is a separate organi zation where athletes compete on a elite level,” Romjue said. “Walking is part of competing in golf” Another problem that has come up is whether other golfers could qualify for a cart as well. During the trial, the argument was made that several golfers could be injured enough to warrant a cart. The slippery slope theory is a key point lost on many supporting Martin, Romjue said. “Where do you draw the line?” Romjue said. “A lot of things can make a golfer ineffective. A bad back can take a guy out of a round. Is that a legitimate injury?” One objection not directly dis cussed in die trial is where Martin would drive the cart. While Martin may be able to use the vehicle, NU golfer Jaime Rogers said it could be a problem logistically. . “Where’s he going to drive the cart, right down the middle of the fairway?” Rogers said. “If they won’t let him do that, he’s going to be weaving in and out of the gallery.” Martin happy, pros question cart ruling EUGENE, Ore. (AP) — A judge ruled Wednesday that Casey Martin can ride a cart on the pro golf tour; a landmark victory in the first case invoking federal disabili ties laws to compete in a major sport “I realized if I win, it would open the way,” Martin said at a news conference, where he broke down in tears. “That’s something to feel good about” Martin’s lawsuit sought to use the Americans With Disabilities Act to force the PGA Tour to accommodate his rare circulatory disorder that makes it painful and even dangerous to walk. His doc tors say too much stress on his withered right leg could cause it to break and may force amputation. Fred Couples, with a chronical ly sore back, said it’s “much easier” to play golf riding a cart “I don’t understand how anyone can say, in golf, you don’t expend any energy playing it,” Couples saw! Wednesday. “That’s the biggest farce in the world. That’s the only thing that irritates me about this.” Paul Azinger added: “I guess some of the questions some of the players have had, but not me, is does he take a wheelchair from the 18th green to his car?” DeForge leads way for NU UPSET from page 10 whose team was outscored 23-1 at. the free-throw line, “but it takes two. We spend too much time focusing on the reaction and not what causes it” Pride played die rest of the game to the sounds of boos from the sea son-high crowd of 3,201 fans, but the 6-foot-2 sophomore barely felt die affects. With six minutes remaining, Pride hit a shot from 15 feet to bring Kansas within three. Nebraska’s lead held at five for the next two minutes. But a layup by Emily Thompson and a 3-point field goal from DeForge increased NU’s lead to 73-65 with 2:08 left in the game. Pride added her final two points ofthe game with 1:20 remaining, but Kansas would not score again. The Comhuskers ended the game with a 6-0 run. “I think we took advantage of what happened (with Pride),” DeFoige said. “But I think without it, the end result would still have been die same.” Kubik attributed the Huskers’ second-half surge to Sanderford’s halftime remarks. “He told us we could start mak ing our spring break plans,” Kubik said. “He was realty upset with our effort. I know he made me kind of mad. He got to a lot of people.” Sanderford said NU could not have played any better during the second half. After falling to fifth place in the league last weekend, Nebraska is now tied with Kansas for third. “We grew up a lot at halftime,” Sanderford said. “We decided that despite what everyone thinks, we were going to compete. If we would have lost, I still could not have been more proud of this team.” NU gymnast adjusts to team play, new lingo GYMNAST from page 10 two meets. But she is starting to get hill strength again, and her scores are improving. “She has played catch-up all year,” Kendig said. “All four events are starting to get to back to where they were again.” Wilkinson’s improvement and return to the lineup should help solidify the team, said teammate Heather Brink. “She is someone we can always count on,” Brink said. Wilkinson hopes to continue her road back this weekend when the Huskers take on Iowa State at 4 pjn. Sunday in the Bob Devaney Sports Center. t----» — ' kJomens .Services P.C. 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