Golfer Wins First Court Battle

Casey Martin’s fight to ride a cart on the pro golf tour is headed for a trial Feb. 2 after a federal magistrate rejected the PGA Tour’s argument that it is private and exempt from disability laws Monday in Eugene, Ore.

Martin, who has a degenerative circulation problem in his leg, has sued, claiming that the PGA’s “walking-only” tradition violates the rights of the disabled.

His suit contends that the PGA Tour is a public entity, and under the federal Americans with Disabilities Act must provide reasonable accommodation for someone with a permanent disability.

In turning down the PGA’s request to dismiss the lawsuit, U.S. Magistrate Tom Coffin said golf courses during tournaments are “places of public accommodation” as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act.

“What is the PGA Tour? It is an organization formed to provide and operate tournaments for the economic benefit of its members,” Coffin said. “It is part of the entertainment industry, just as all professional sports are.”

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Retired NBA all-star Kareem Abdul-Jabbar has settled a lawsuit filed by Jerry Cohen, a Universal Studios music editor, who accused the former Laker center of attacking him in April after a traffic dispute.

Abdul-Jabbar said the incident occurred as the result of “a misunderstanding between myself and Mr. Cohen during a difficult personal time for myself and my family.”

Cohen’s attorney, Larry Feldman, said his client “is completely satisfied that it has been resolved and looks forward to getting on with his life.”

Abdul-Jabbar, however, is still scheduled to appear in West Los Angeles Municipal Court on Thursday on misdemeanor false-imprisonment charges brought by the city attorney’s office.

Baseball

Claiming that for years they haven’t received royalties due them, hundreds of aging former players took major league baseball to court in Oakland. Lawyer Ronald Katz said the class-action lawsuit involves 384 former players, many now in their 70s and 80s. It names major league baseball and its marketing arm, Major League Baseball Properties Inc.

Katz said the case concerns pooled royalties the players think they should have received for the use of their names and likenesses for retail products such as trading cards, and other projects, including films.

Many of the players signed agreements entitling them to royalties, but the checks they received averaged less than $200 a year and the players think they are owed more.

The Angels agreed to terms on a minor league contract with former Oakland outfielder Damon Mashore, who hit .247 with three home runs, 18 runs batted in and 55 runs scored in 92 games for the Athletics last year.

The date for Angel pitcher Allen Watson’s arbitration hearing has been set for Feb. 17. Watson and the Angels are expected to continue negotiations in an attempt to reach an agreement before the hearing.

Actor Joseph Campanella will serve as master of ceremonies and former Dodger manager Tom Lasorda will be the featured speaker when the Professional Scouts of Southern California hold their 30th anniversary dinner Thursday night at Dodger Stadium. Details: (714) 546-7430.

Skiing

Thomas Sykora declared himself a top Olympic favorite after narrowly beating Hans-Petter Buraas in a World Cup slalom that gave Austria its second victory in two days at Kitzbuehel, Austria.

Sykora’s victory was the 20th for the Austrian team this season, a performance unprecedented in World Cup history.

Miscellany

The Jamaican government announced an end to its two-year athletic boycott of Nigeria, citing a pledge by the African country’s leaders to reinstate democracy. The move clears the way for Jamaica’s soccer team to play Nigeria at home in an exhibition game Feb. 22.

Names in the News

Former Louisville football coach Ron Cooper was hired at Alabama A&M;, becoming the second African American coach in two months to land at a historically black Alabama school after leaving Division I-A. Ron Dickerson was hired last month by Alabama State after Temple fired him.