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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Wednesday, May 30, 2001

Hawai'i golfers split over court cart ruling

 •  Court gives 'legs' to hobbled golfer
 •  Ferd Lewis: Arrogant PGA is big loser
Join a discussion on the Supreme Court decision allowing Casey Martin the right to ride his cart in PGA events

By Shayna Coleon
Advertiser Staff Writer

Hawai'i golfers, like tour professionals and weekend duffers across the country, were divided yesterday over the Supreme Court ruling that allowed disabled golfer Casey Martin to ride in a golf cart when he plays.

"Where do you draw the line as to who can use a golf cart or not?" asked Greg Nichols, head professional at the Wai'alae Country Club.

Richard Ambo • The Honolulu Advertiser

While the overwhelming number of Hawai'i golfers use motorized carts, many of those same people believe that the tradition of the game and the physical endurance required to walk 18 holes or more outweighs Martin's demand that he be allowed to compete on the PGA Tour.

"I feel for him. I admire his ability. Yet, where do you draw the line as to who can use a golf cart or not?" said Greg Nichols, head professional at Wai'alae Country Club. "It opens up a Pandora's box. Golf is a strenuous game."

Curtis Kono, course superintendent at the O'ahu Country Club, said golf requires stamina, a point stressed by local golfers yesterday as they described walking steep hills, clambering across embankments and baking for four hours on a cloudless day.

"They ruled that walking was not an integral part of the sport," said Jim Burns at the Ala Wai Pro Shop. "But, that's said by a person who probably doesn't play golf. Anybody who plays golf knows walking is part of the sport."

However, the Supreme Court's majority opinion was written by Justice John Paul Stevens, who is an avid golfer.

Several Hawai'i golfers expressed concern that the court is essentially tinkering with the time-honored rules and traditions of the game.

"The PGA Tour should be able to dictate its own ground rules," said Paul Sugimoto, executive director of the Aloha Section of the PGA.

Richard Ambo • The Honolulu Advertiser

"An organization like the PGA Tour should be able to dictate its own ground rules," said Paul Sugimoto, executive director of the Aloha Section of the Professional Golf Association.

Larry Stubblefield, reigning champion of the Mid-Pac Open, said he also believes that competition requires stamina.

But others said golf is a game that is always evolving and that accommodating Martin doesn't give him an advantage.

"I think it's a fair decision," said Chuck Larson, head of the Aloha Section PGA rules committee. "It involves a policy of the PGA, not a rule of golf. The times are changing. Golf has tradition, but sometimes tradition has to change."

Matt Rol, 24, who played yesterday at the Ala Wai Golf Course, said he doesn't believe the ruling gives Martin a break.

"Martin may get a ride, but it evens out the field for him," Rol said. "He's still in pain all day when he plays, and he'll still be as fatigued as the other golfers."

Richard Lee, 61, who plays golf once a week, said in a game that celebrates its traditions and history it may be hard for some to adjust.

"It's a long-held tradition that everyone walks and gets a caddy," Lee said. "This decision can be good for everyone because we need to see it not as an end but just a small change in tradition."

Columnist Bill Kwon contributed to this report.