Posted on 06/14/2012 9:55:32 AM PDT by CHRISTIAN DIARIST
Casey Martin is highly unlikely to win the U.S. Open, which begins today at the Olympic Club in San Francisco. Hes not even likely to make the 36-hole cut, which would allow him to tee it up for this weekends for the tourneys final two rounds.
But the 40-year-old linksman is already a winner in my book. Because hardly anyone in the Open field has had to overcome the adversity Martin has faced.
Thats because Martin, the mens golf coach for the Oregon Ducks, suffers from a debilitating birth defect in his lower right leg, KlippelTrénaunayWeber Syndrome, which makes it difficult for him to walk.
I dont think people really have appreciation of how much pain hes in, said Tiger Woods, Martins teammate back during their college days at Stanford. He doesnt show it, doesnt talk about it, doesnt complain about it. He just lives with it.
Martin acknowledges that his right leg is pretty fragile and sometimes quite painful. But day by day he limps along with equanimity; with an inner peace that surpasses all understanding.
Thats a testament to Martins Christian faith.
It enabled him to be a three-time all-Pac 10 golfer while at Stanford, even as he struggled with his disability.
It enabled him to earn his PGA Tour card in 1999, and to prevail in a 2001 lawsuit against the Tour when it tried to ban him from use a golf cart during competition, despite his obvious disability.
And it enabled him to shoot a pair of 69s last week in sectional qualifying for the Open, earning him his spot in this years championship.
For me to be here, is pretty surreal, said Martin, between pre-tourney practice rounds at Olympic.
Certainly, he continued, as a Christian, I trust that God has a purpose for me to be here, and Im thankful for that. I dont know what that is, but Im grateful to be here and see whats in store.
Well, I, too, look forward to seeing whats in store for the golfer today and tomorrow (and, hopefully, Saturday and Sunday).
But no matter whether he makes the Open leaderboard at some point during the proceedings, or even makes the cut, Casey Martin has proven himself more than a conqueror.
If Casey Martin is the same person who sued to have the rules of golf changed to accommodate his disability, then I am not a fan.
:: Casey Martin is highly unlikely to win the U.S. Open ::
I’d say so! Martin withdrew (shoulder) and was replaced by 14-year old Zhang.
He changed the rules just for him cause he's just extra special, doncha know? Oh... don't hate on me... I believe in God and give all the glory to him. So I get a pass also. It's just like a get out of jail free card.
Before anybody flames me, I'm not hating on him for being a Christian, just for being a litigious little weasel.
That was Paul Casey who withdrew. Not Casey Martin.
Wow. My apologies.
Thanks CD!
No worries.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.