An explanation is in order. A photo caption in yesterday’s Lantern read “Shut up and drive” under a photo of Casey Martin, the disabled golfer who is currently suing the PGA Tour.The caption, written by myself, was meant to be a mild bashing of the PGA – shut up already and let him use a cart.However, it was brought to my attention that several people misinterpreted the caption and were offended. For this I apologize.I am 100 percent behind Martin. I think the PGA’s stance on this is ludicrous. While walking may be “an integral part of the game”, at least in the Tour’s eyes, for them to say Martin has an advantage by being able to walk is ridiculous.What Martin has is a disability. A serious one that makes it physically impossible for him to walk 18 holes in a golf tournament. And for the Tour to blow him off by saying they are a private organization is mind-boggling.It was disturbing to see players such as Ken Venturi, Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer testifying about how they think Martin should have to walk. It is true that Venturi’s winning the 1964 U.S Open despite heat exhaustion and severe dehydration is a great story, but these three ambassadors of the game are forgetting two things.1. The Tour changed the rules after Venturi’s triumph, making 18 holes the standard on Sunday instead of 36.2. They don’t have a disability that makes it impossible to walk the entire course.Martin suffers from a rare circulatory disorder in his leg. If the leg were to break, then it more than likely would have to be amputated.Casey Martin is not someone looking to take the easy way out. He’s proven that by his willingness to take the PGA to court. What he is is someone looking to level the playing field, which everyone has the right to do.As an avid – although bad – golfer myself, I prefer to walk. When you walk the course, you get a better feel for the course and you establish more of a rhythm. I always shoot better scores when I walk and I think it’s because of the walking. It allows one to slow down and take some time to think about the next shot.Casey Martin has stated his desire to walk several times during the course of the case. He’s been moved to tears on the witness stand as he describes the pain that sets in when he walks for an extended period of time. So, to clarify the “Shut up and ride” comment, let me simply say this.PGA Tour: shut up.Casey Martin: drive.Correction:In Monday’s Lantern, a photo caption was incorrect. The photo of Susan Eckman on the balance beam – not the pommel horse – was taken by Bill Ubbes.Hey, wanna be a sports columnist?If you want to vent, rant, rave or comment on something going on in the world of sports, send me a column. Starting this Friday I’ll run a guest columnist every week. Columns should be 500-600 words and can either be e-mailed to me at [email protected] or dropped off in the newsroom, room 271 in the Journalism Building. Be sure to include your name and a phone number. I reserve the right to edit for content, clarity and length. Please don’t bash people “‘cuz I don’t like them”, but if you’ve got a legitimate gripe or observation, I’ll run it.