Casey Martin was a professional golfer who played on the PGA Tour and the Nationwide Tour. He is perhaps best known for his legal battle over the right to use a golf cart during PGA Tour events, which he won in a landmark decision by the United States Supreme Court.
Martin was born in Eugene, Oregon in 1974. He attended Stanford University, where he played on the golf team and earned a degree in economics. After college, he turned professional and began competing on the Nationwide Tour, the PGA Tour's developmental circuit.
In 1997, Martin was diagnosed with a rare circulatory disorder called Klippel-Trenaunay-Weber syndrome, which causes pain and weakness in the legs and makes it difficult for him to walk long distances. As a result, he applied for and was granted a waiver to use a golf cart during PGA Tour events. However, the PGA Tour denied his request and Martin was forced to walk the course, causing him physical pain and affecting his performance.
In response, Martin filed a lawsuit against the PGA Tour, alleging that the organization's refusal to allow him to use a golf cart constituted discrimination on the basis of his disability. The case, PGA Tour, Inc. v. Martin, made its way to the United States Supreme Court, which ruled in favor of Martin in 2001. The Court held that the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) applied to the PGA Tour and that the Tour's refusal to allow Martin to use a golf cart violated the ADA.
The decision in PGA Tour, Inc. v. Martin was significant because it expanded the reach of the ADA and established that professional sports organizations must make reasonable accommodations for disabled athletes. It also opened the door for other disabled athletes to seek similar accommodations in their sports.
Despite his physical challenges, Martin continued to compete professionally, making a handful of appearances on the PGA Tour and winning several events on the Nationwide Tour. He retired from professional golf in 2007 and currently serves as the head coach of the University of Oregon men's golf team.
In conclusion, Casey Martin's legal battle over the right to use a golf cart during PGA Tour events was an important moment in the history of disability rights in sports. His determination and perseverance in the face of adversity served as an inspiration to other disabled athletes and helped to level the playing field for all competitors.