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The USGA will evaluate, on a case-by-case
basis, any request to use a cart in USGA Championships or qualifying
rounds due to a claimed permanent disability under the Americans with
Disabilities Act (ADA). In order for the USGA to properly evaluate
such requests, it is necessary to submit medical documentation setting
forth the exact nature of the disability and how that disability prevents
such player (or caddie) from walking during a stipulated round. In
addition, players will have to submit information sufficient to enable
the USGA to determine that providing a cart would not provide a player
with an advantage over other players. Click here
to download via Adobe Acrobat Reader a copy of the USGA's cart request
form entitled Information to be Supplied
by Anyone Claiming a Disability Seeking to Use a Cart in a USGA Championship
or Qualifying Round, which each player seeking a golf cart for
himself/herself or a caddie due to a disability under the ADA must
complete and submit to the USGA with the original entry application.
In each instance where an applicant is submitting a request for a
golf cart, both the relevant USGA Championship entry application
and the cart request form (including the required medical documentation
as specified on the cart request form) must be submitted to the USGA
by the player (not a caddie) simultaneously and together with
the entry application by mail and received by the USGA no later than
the date the Championship entry application is due. Such information
must be sent to the USGA to the attention of Betsy Swain at Golf House,
P.O. Box 708, Far Hills, N.J. 07931. Facsimile, phone or on-line
submissions will not be evaluated. In the event of a change in
medical condition subsequent to submission of entry application, written
submission of all documentation must be received by the USGA no later
than seven days before the event.
Any player wishing to receive permission for his or her caddie to
use a golf cart must submit a cart request form and the required medical
documentation at the same time the player submits his or her entry
application. The USGA will not accept requests directly from caddies.
At certain qualifying sites, there may be carts available only for
caddies on a first-come, first-served basis. (See schedule) Cart availability
for caddies during the Championship proper or for players at any stage
available only for those who are ADA qualified and have followed the
above submission procedure and been approved by Golf House.
Applicants seeking to use a golf cart in more than one USGA Championship
during a given Championship season must submit each such request individually
in writing together with the Championship entry form, prior to the
date the relevant Championship entry form is due but need only include
the required medical information with the first request, provided
no change to the relevant medical condition has occurred in the intervening
time. The USGA will evaluate the medical information previously submitted
on the person's behalf during the same Championship year, provided
it is current as of the relevant submission and was otherwise submitted
in accordance with the procedures outlined above.
Please note that requests due to "temporary" injuries or impairments
that do not qualify as a "disability" under the ADA will not be granted.
For your information, a disability protected by the ADA is "a physical
or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more of the
major life activities of such individual." 42 U.S.C.S. §12102 (2001).
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