University Golf Coach Casey Martin’s return to the US Open has brought a wave of publicity and attention to the former South Eugene High School and Stanford University star as he prepares for his return to the Olympic Club in San Francisco. Martin played in the 1998 US Open at the same course after winning a Supreme Court case that allowed him to use a golf cart while competing on the PGA Tour.
“It kind of feels like 1998 for me all over again, when I went through that controversy,” Martin said.
“These last few days have been exhausting to me, and I haven’t been able to practice or do a whole lot of golf. No complaints, I’m having a blast.”
Along with the media attention has come congratulations and respect from the golfing community. Martin’s return to the national stage was unforeseen, and even his former Stanford teammate Tiger Woods acknowledged the accomplishment, tweeting “Simply incredible. Ability, attitude and guts. See you at Olympic Casey.”
Former PGA tour pro Paul Azinger also weighed in on an ESPN Teleconference with a different opinion than when he was in opposition to Martin’s case for a cart back in 1998.
“Casey Martin is the great over-comer, a terrific person, unbelievable achiever and winner in life,” Azinger said. “I think it’s incredible that Casey Martin’s qualified…I was mistaken (in regard to the court case), Casey Martin needed a break in that regard.  He won his case, and I was happy for him.”
Martin’s time in San Francisco leading up to the start of the tournament on Thursday will be filled with media obligations, though he has a practice round with Woods scheduled for Wednesday. Additionally, Oregon Football Coach Chip Kelly will be in charge of Martin’s attire throughout the week – something Martin called “payback” for his work coordinating the football team’s uniforms in 2009.
“Chip texted me that he wants to coordinate all my uniforms, Martin said. “No joke – he did. So I said, all right, you’re on. He sent me pictures with visors and everything.”