Golf is a sport that does not require physical strength, big muscles and stamina but the sport is not exempted from controversies caused by performance enhancing drugs and steroids. This month, the PGA is under hot seat for its latest ruling on the case of Doug Barron. The professional golfer was suspended for a year because of a positive result for testosterone and beta-blocker. These substances are prohibited under the anti-doping policy of the PGA.

Barron filed for a temporary restraining order in court to block the suspension. However, the federal magistrate in Memphis decided in favor of the PGA. The decision of U.S. Magistrate Tu Pham was welcomed by the sports organization saying that their decision to suspend the player for one year was fair. The court said that Doug Barron has not shown a likelihood of success on the merits of his claims. Although it is a loss for Barron’s camp, his attorney said that the decision is encouraging since the court raised some important questions about the PGA Tour’s anti-doping program. “We saw a 33-page opinion that is packed full of good stuff for us,” said Barron’s lawyer.

Atty. Jeffrey Rosenblum, who represents Doug Barron, said in an interview with the Daily News, that his client was disappointed because he won’t be able to play in the qualifying tournament. “While we are disappointed in the courts denial for a temporary restraining order, we are encouraged by a number of findings by the court,” he said. “We consider this ruling a partial victory for Doug Barron. The court’s ruling supports our allegations that there are serious questions to be addressed regarding the PGA Tour’s application of its doping policy,” the lawyer added.

The 40 year-old journeyman brought the case into court when he failed to obtain therapeutic use exemptions (TUE) for testosterone and propranolol, a beta blocker. He asked for the exemption for taking the beta blocker in 2008 and then asked PGA to grant him exemption for testosterone in January 2009. His lawyer argued that the use of these substances is under a medical supervision because of his client’s health condition. Barron started to use testosterone in 2005 because of a very low hormone level in his body. According to reports, Barron’s testosterone level is compared to an 80 year old man thus he needs to take synthetic testosterone to correct this condition. At the age of 18, Barron was diagnosed with mitral valve prolapse. This is a heart condition that can cause pain in the chest, difficulty in breathing and abnormal heart rate. He started taking propranolol in 1987 under medical supervision. His lawyer said that the suspension is a violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act. If his client will be forced to stop his medication, it can lead to weakened immune system and a low sex drive.

Although, Barron may be using these drugs for a legitimate health condition, it is still banned by the PGA. Beta blockers are also known to calm nerves and athletes use it to reduce tension in the hands. This could be used to enhance performance in sports where precision is needed. Testosterone is also prohibited because of its ability to increase strength and stamina.

Court records showed that Barron was already told to stop taking the drugs but a week before the St. Jude Classic tournament, he still took testosterone. The urine sample tested showed an elevated testosterone above the 6:1 ratio. “If a player wants a (therapeutic use exemption for a banned substance) he’s given every chance to submit his medical records to a committee and ask for one,” said Rich Young, lawyer for the PGA. “The question is if he didn’t get a TUE would he suffer and, in Doug’s case, the recommendation from the committee was no, he would not and that didn’t justify a TUE request.”

Sports analysts were also divided on the issue whether the suspension was fair or not. Art Horne, agent of Barron, said in a statement to Golf.com that it was never a case of a guy in a back room taking creams or using needles. “This was a guy taking what was prescribed to him by medical doctors for conditions that others have been given exemptions for. We feel Doug has been treated unfairly,” Horn said. “The rules have not been applied uniformly. We feel as though there are parts of the anti-doping statute that have been put in place that are arbitrary,” he added.

Ben Eagle of the Huffington Post also reported that one professional golfer was able to get therapeutic use exemptions from PGA. Shaun Micheel, 2003 PGA Championship winner, was able to secure a TUE for testosterone. He said that even Micheel explained that it was very difficult to obtain a TUE, the fact still remains that there is precedent in Barron’s case.

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