The U.S. Golf Association says allowing an Warsaw golfer to use a cart in a local qualifying round for the U.S. Open would give him an unfair advantage over other competitors, even though it has already granted a similar privilege to Casey Martin.

Ford Olinger, a 1985 Warsaw Community High School graduate, who suffers from a degenerative condition that affects both his hips, on Thursday filed for a temporary injunction to let him use a golf cart in the local qualifier.

When reached today, Olinger refused further comment until after his 2 p.m. court time in South Bend District Federal Court.

"There will be a press conference after the case," Olinger said. "At that time, we will talk to all media."

Olinger was a golfer, football player and basketball player at WCHS. As a golfer, he advanced to the regional with a 76.

After high school, Olinger went to Tri-State University for a year and then transferred to a college in Florida. He then turned professional and became the assistant pro at Tippecanoe Lake Country Club in Leesburg and Plymouth Country Club.

The suit asks that he be given the same exemption as Martin, who successfully sued the PGA this year to use a golf cart because of a withered leg. The USGA ruled Martin can use a single-rider cart for his 36-hole sectional qualifier June 8 in Cincinnati.

An attorney for the USGA said it did so in deference to an Oregon judge's order forcing the PGA to allow Martin the use of a cart on the Nike Tour. But it declined Olinger's request because the ruling only applied to Martin.

'(Olinger) would have, in our judgment, a significant competitive advantage if he were able to ride a cart,' said Steve Jackson, a Fort Wayne attorney representing the USGA.

'Mr. Olinger would not be playing by the same rules.'

Olinger is registered to play in the 18-hole local qualifier Monday at the South Bend Country Club. If he is successful, the next step will be a 36-hole sectional qualifier June 8 in Orlando, Fla.

Cynthia Rockwell, Olinger's attorney, said he wrote the USGA asking for an exemption to the rule requiring competitors to walk during the qualifying tournaments but was turned down.

Rockwell also appealed to the group for an exemption but was denied.

'Ford always understood that there was a provision to allow him to use a cart if he had a serious disability, and he just assumed he'd request one when he sent in his registration,' Rockwell said. 'He just didn't expect them to deny it.'

Olinger's suit was filed in federal court in Fort Wayne but will be heard this afternoon in a South Bend court, which has jurisdiction.

Part of Olinger's suit read: 'This action is brought against defendant on the basis of unlawful discriminatory practices in failing and refusing to provide a reasonable accommodation of plaintiff's disability in order to permit plaintiff to participate in the local qualifying event the same as other non-disabled members of the public.'

Olinger, who has played on the Tommy Armour Tour, suffers from avascular necrosis, a painful ailment similar to the condition that ended the football and baseball career of Bo Jackson. Rockwell said Olinger can't walk a round of golf without experiencing severe pain and won't be able to play in the qualifier without a cart.

If Olinger's request for a temporary injunction is granted, he will apply for a permanent injunction allowing him to use the cart if he qualifies for the U.S. Open. [[In-content Ad]]