Casey Martin has won a victory he says could go a long way to helping the physically challenged. Last Tuesday the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that when the PGA said that Martin could not use a cart to get around during one of its tournaments, it was violating the Americans with Disabilities Act.

For years, Martin had been going round and round with golf’s major professional organization. Since he was a child, Martin has suffered with a degenerative bone condition which makes it impossible for him to walk the six miles necessary to get around a 18 hole course.

He was allowed to use a cart in NCAA golf events when he was a student, but after turning pro, he found that PGA rules require that he walk the course. Its ruling said that walking is part of the test of the competitors and that using a cart would give Martin an advantage the other golfers would not have.

Four years ago, Martin sued the PGA and won.  The ruling from a lower court was  appealed and a federal judge said that, until the Supreme Court ruled otherwise, Martin would be allowed to use a cart.

He has been using a cart since, but this year failed to score well enough to keep his PGA card. He now plays on the Buy.com satellite tour, which uses PGA rules.

The 28 year old Martin suffers from Klippel-Trenaunay-Weber Syndrome. It’s a circulatory problem which, over the years, has withered his leg. There’s no cure and, apparently, not much in the way of treatment.  Amputation may be necessary in the future.

The Supreme Court vote was 7-2. Justice Paul Stevens, described as an avid golfer, wrote the majority opinion. He said that walking is only a minor aspect of the game and does not affect the skills involved in hitting the ball into the cup.

The PGA had argued that the physical effort of walking the course presented a test of stamina which is part of the game. However, Justice Stevens wrote that if the purpose is to test stamina, Martin’s stamina is tested by dealing with his leg problem.

Justices Antonin Scalia and Clarence Thoms were the two dissenters. Writing the minority opinion, Justice Scalia said that the ruling amounts to calling for different sets of rules for the disabled and able-bodied.

He claimed the ADA never was intended to do anything of the sort.

How do other PGA veterans feel? Not that it matters much, but many seem to differ from the court’s opinion. Jack Nicklaus says that walking the course is fundamental to the professional game.

Steve Pate was quoted as saying that if golf is a sport, as he feels it is, then walking six miles a day for six days is part of the test.

Speaking of carts … or CART, Tony George who is president of the Indinapolis Motor Speedway and creator of the Indy Racing League, has got to be trying to think of a way to keep the senior circuit in open wheeled racing out of his backyard. Last weekend, CART teams in the Indianapolis 500 showed up the teams from George’s IRL  on their own turf.

Helio Castroneves, a rookie in the 500, won the race and CART teams took the first five places at the finish. NASCAR’s Tony Stewart took the sixth finishing spot.

So, in the two years since CART teams have begun returning to the 500, they have won the IRL’s premier event, leaving little doubt about who’s series has the best drivers and teams. Heck, the IRL’s best and brightest could not even seem to keep their cars pointed in the right direction.

CART needed the boost. Suffering in the shadow of NASCAR’s domination of TV time and ink, and following the cancellation of its show at Texas Motor Speedway in April, the series was desperate for some success.

Not that the results of the 500 will be fatal to the IRL. Having the best and fastest frankly are not prerequisites for success. Personalities, parity, and promotion are the three biggest factors.

They also are three things both series are sadly lacking.