My Shot Shame on Kenneth Green and SI for launching an ill-informed personal attack against my brother

In the three years that my brother, Casey, has been in a legal
battle with the PGA Tour over the right to ride a cart in
competition, plenty of things have made my blood boil. Not until
now, however, have I been so disgusted that I felt the need to
respond in a public manner. I have to wonder why Kenneth Green
and SPORTS ILLUSTRATED felt the need to cross the bounds of a
reasonable debate and launch an attack questioning the severity
of Casey's ailment and even his character (MY SHOT, Jan. 22).

Green writes that his situation is similar to Casey's in that he
"gets tired" when he walks and has shooting pains in his leg that
last "up to an hour" after he finishes playing. Obviously, Green
is a tough individual and no doubt endures more pain than most,
but Casey would give anything to deal solely with Green's
problems. Casey constantly endures severe pain. Because his leg
has atrophied, his tibia is at risk of breaking with every step,
and he gets no relief at night, suffering from sleep deprivation.
Casey wishes that an artificial limb below the knee, like
Green's, would solve his problem. But an amputation in Casey's
case would require taking the entire leg.

Casey is asking for the cart because the law gives him
permission to do so given the serious nature of his disability.
As for Green's comments that Casey's cart is an advantage or his
assertion that if he doesn't make it as a college walk-on, he'll
"blame my game, not my leg," he knows nothing about Casey's
unique situation. Anybody close to Casey knows he has never
blamed his play on his leg. Nor has anybody who knows Casey ever
believed the cart gives him an advantage.

Although I am emotionally involved in this situation, I can
respect a good debate on its legal merits. Uninformed personal
attacks like Green's are another matter.

Cameron Martin, 31, is a financial consultant and Casey's
brother.

COLOR PHOTO: RICH FRISHMAN