Return to Transcripts main page

American Morning

The Debate Over Supreme Court Ruling on Golfer Casey Martin

Aired May 30, 2001 - 11:26   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
STEPHEN FRAZIER, CNN ANCHOR: The Supreme Court ruling in favor of pro golfer Casey Martin is the talk of the greens today everywhere. The high court ruled yesterday that Martin, who is disabled, should be permitted to use a cart on the PGA tour. CNN's Jeff Flock joins us now from Dublin, Ohio, with some reaction from the links -- Jeff, looks like you're on the fairway.

JEFF FLOCK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: That's right, on first fairway, Stephen. This is Muirfield, the home of the Memorial, which is, of course, the next stop on the tour. Some of the PGA tour players today somewhat reticent to continue to talk about the Casey Martin case. They realize that it's been somewhat of a P.R. debacle for them and their tour.

You know, Martin is a sympathetic figure not only to the general public but also to his fellow golfers. And they all -- I think to a man -- I haven't found anyone who says they don't think Casey Martin should be allowed to play. And they're OK with him having a cart. But they have some concerns about the exception that was made.

We talked to one tour player this morning, J.P. Hayes from Texas, who says he loves Casey Martin, but he really has a problem with the court's decision that walking is not an integral part of their game.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

J.P. HAYES, PRO GOLFER: I think it would change the look of the tour for the worse. It right now has a very professional look. And it needs to maintain that. And I think with carts all over the place -- and just raising the argument again, is golf even a sport?

(END VIDEO CLIP)

FLOCK: That's right, the suggestion that perhaps everybody ought to get to use a cart. And, of course, that's not the way it's going right now. It will be just Casey -- just he who will be able to use the cart.

I just took a look at course map here. This is the Muirfield course, 7,221 yards. And that is just tee to green. That's little more than four miles, not counting all the rest of it. And golfers say that when you think about a tournament that has four days of walking, perhaps five, six, miles a day, get out in the hot sun, that's a real big part of the game. And it's a real advantage to be able to ride in a cart.

That's the latest from here. We'll, of course, watch it. The Memorial kicks off tomorrow, everybody with practice rounds in progress as we speak.

FRAZIER: Jeff Flock in Dublin, Ohio. Jeff, thanks very much.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com