Case Study Paper

Case Study

Chase J Budurka

Liberty University, BUSI301

Professor: Chad Shimel

Summary of the Case

Casey Martin, a professional golfer with an degenerative disease, Klippel-Trenauanay-Weber Syndrome, sued the PGA Tour over the right to use a golf cart in competitions to accommodate his impairment and allow him to compete. The Court of Appeals determined that permitting Martin to use a golf cart in PGA competition would not fundamentally alter the nature of his game during those tournaments, beyond the existing fatigue caused by his degenerative disease. (Rose)

Case Basics:

Docket No.: 00-24

Petitioner: PGA Tour

Respondent: Martin

Decided By: Rehnquist Court (1994-2005)

Opinion: 532 U.S. 661 (2001)

Argued: Wednesday, January 17, 2001

Decided: Tuesday, May 29, 2001Parties

Decision: 7 votes for Martin, 2 vote(s) against

Legal provision: Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

("PGA TOUR v. MARTIN")

Facts

Per the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (“ADA”) requires “employers, state and local governments, employment agencies and labor unions from discriminating against qualified individuals with disabilities in job application procedures, hiring, firing, advancement, compensation, job training, and other terms, conditions, and privileges of employment.” The ADA goes on to specifically mention places of accommodation and that these locations must make reasonable modifications to policies and procedures to ensure the inclusion of individuals with disabilities. Conveniently golf courses fall under this category, places of accommodations.

Main Question 

Does the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) provide access to professional golf tournaments by a qualified entrant with a disability? May a disabled contestant be denied the use of a golf cart because it would "fundamentally alter the nature" of the tournaments to allow him to ride when all other contestants must walk?

My...