Cheers for Erik Compton

News that heart transplant patient Erik Compton had received permission to use a cart during PGA Tour Qualifying School reminded us of a letter we received after Jim Moriarty's moving September story in Golf World.

I was pleased to find out that Erik is doing fine. Erik is one up; I had my transplant two years ago and played five months after transplant. My cardiologist told me, "There are other things in this world besides golf." I sent him my scorecard after my first round, a resounding 95. He said it made his day! Like Erik, I had lots of support and a goal to return to the game I love. I tell my club members: I am the best player in the club--that has had a heart transplant. Be an organ donor. Allen C. Foster Yorktown, VA

The response to the tour's decision to grant Compton's request was positive, to say the least. But Randall Mell in the Sun-Sentinel's Bunker Shots blog reminded us to remember someone else as we applaud the tour's decision:

Casey Martin deserves a salute in this, too. He paved the way for Compton in his legal fight with the PGA Tour. Martin was born with Klippel-Trenaunay-Weber Syndrome, a degenerative disorder of his left leg. He was initially denied use of the cart by the tour but took his legal fight all the way to the Supreme Court, which ruled in his favor in 2001.

Amen.

--Bob Carney

(Photo by Jensen Larson)