|
|
 |
 |   |
|
EVENTS Fantasy Central Inside Game Video Plus Statitudes Your Turn Message Boards Email Newsletters Golf Guide Cities 
CNNSI.com GROUP
COMMERCE
|  |
Martin ruling still a hot topic
Just when you thought you couldn't stomach any more Casey Martin commentary ... You are really turning into
a sap. I don't think anyone has a lack of compassion for the guy
since he obviously has the ballstriking ability to compete, but if you can't
meet ALL of the requirements then you don't play. Period. End of discussion.
Casey Martin has always known that the PGA Tour requires walking in order to
compete, yet he feels he is special enough to warrant special consideration. How
much more selfish can you get? Maybe Fred Couples could get special
consideration for his back problem. And I don't recall Paul Azinger asking for
special treatment when he was diagnosed with cancer. It is a shame that people
can sue to get the rules changed just for them. Casey, quit whining and get a
real job like the rest of us.
I couldn't agree more with your column on Casey Martin. The PGA blew this
one. It's not rocket science to distinguish a permanent disability from a simple
ailment or injury. Casey didn't want an advantage; he simply wanted and deserved
a chance to compete. Listening to the CBS broadcast crew's "happiness"
for Casey but dismay over the decision because the PGA lost the right to set its
own rules of admission, I was reminded of the white, elitist country clubbers of
years past defending their own right to set rules to exclude minorities. We'll
take all the hyped-up techno equipment and balls anyone can produce, says the
PGA tour, but walkers only as it's an integral part of the game. What a joke; if
that's the case, why are there carts on the Senior tour?
You are the last person I would have ever considered to be a suck-up to
"the Man." But your commentary on Casey Martin bordered on the
ridiculous. Your patronizing comment that Martin is a "clean-cut,
courteous, articulate, God-fearing young man we all want our daughters to
marry," combined with the shot at Tim Finchem, and the pretension that the
court case was only about Martin's specific situation should play well with the
media elite at CNN/Sports Illustrated/AOL/Time Warner. Congratulations on being
a media tool ... "
Loved your article on Casey Martin. I propose that we solve this cart
advantage nonsense by having Phil "Does anyone know the Heimlich?"
Mickelson play four rounds against Tiger. We'll give Phil a cart and Tiger will
walk. Tiger will, of course, kick Phil's bra-wearing behind to prove once and
for all that golf is about shot-making."
Do you do puff pieces on the Olympics, too? Do you not get it? Everyone has
some sad story (if you believe the media) to go with their upcoming competition.
This media tactic of going after the heartstrings of the audience to hype the
"human story" is beyond ridiculous. So what if you have had to face
some adversity or someone has died in your family? If you don't qualify for the
competition, you simply don't play at that level. Are "feelings"
replacing common sense and logic? The basic premise for any sport is that not
all contestants are equal (hence the competition to test and judge your skills)
and setting the minimum physical requirements for a competition is the right of
any organization and not for the courts to decide. Come on, Alan, suck it up and
quit contributing to this stupid theory that because someone can make you feel
sorry for them they deserve different treatment. If Casey wants to play, let him
go start his own handicapped league and he can set up all the rules he wants and
let anybody play. If they allow this ruling to stand, the courts will have
lowered the standard of golf competition (as the courts have lowered the
standards in other areas) so Casey doesn't get his feelings hurt. Dare to be on
the right side of this issue and not the popular, "good feelings"
side. Otherwise, why not just play golf for fun and not keep score. That way
everyone wins and there are no losers and no one gets their feelings hurt.
Doesn't that make you feel warm and fuzzy inside? Alan, get some balls (uh,
maybe Nike)! Be a man!
Fantastic article on Casey Martin. If only the "purists" could
open their eyes and realize it is not about the "game of golf" or
Casey, but humanity and fairness. The golf Gods smiled on this decision. And by
coincidence ... the No. 1 player in the world, the guy who wears the red shirt
on Sundays, also endorsed the ruling.
I think you really got it wrong on the Casey Martin deal. I don't disagree
that Mr. Martin is a supremely nice person and an inspiration to people
everywhere, disabled or otherwise. I also don't disagree that, at this point,
for him, riding a cart probably doesn't give him an advantage over the other
players. But the rules of the PGA Tour are there for a reason, and they are (or
at least they used to be) black and white. You have to walk. And if you can't,
then you don't get to play. Just suppose a very large golfer (think Chris Patton
crossed with Akebono) with a medically diagnosed obesity problem had the talent
to play at the pro level, but just couldn't haul his body around a course for 18
holes at a time. This hypothetical golfer would probably be more fatigued than
your average golfer, even with the cart, but does that entitle him to ride? You
can extrapolate from there, but where does it end? Anyway, after way too many
discussions about this at the golf course/water cooler/neighborhood pub, I just
had to get in my three putts. Thanks for listening.
Mail escort So, after years of correspondence, it all comes down to this, my friend. Are
we gonna have a beer during the Open, or are you going to duck me like the
Internet stalker that many -- mostly my friends, who are sick of hearing about
it every time you answer one of my letters -- suspect I am? You have my e-mail
address. The rest is up to you.
OK, pal, you're on. Bring a pen and a notebook, and, depending on your comportment (and how quickly you reach for the check), we may grant you a guest turn here at On Tour, to write about the experience. It could be fun for me, too. I've always wanted to be a bitter critic of the CNNSI.com columnists ... Sports Illustrated senior writer Alan Shipnuck periodically waxes about life
On Tour for CNNSI.com. Click here to send him a
question or a nice, friendly comment.
| |||||||||||||||||||||
