LPGA Addresses New Language Policy
LPGA commissioner Carolyn Bivens has issued a statement attempting to clarify and explain the policy. The comissioner states:
As a U.S.-based tour, more than 65% of our events are held in our home country. For those events, we need our members to attain a level of communication in English so they can:
- A. deliver an enjoyable experience in the pro-am events at tournaments, which are the lifeblood of the LPGA business model;
- B. conduct their post-round interviews in English for the media; and
- C. deliver a short acceptance speech after winning an event.
"None of this is new," Bivens says in her statement. "The LPGA has had a program for more than three years whereby we dedicate substantial resources for the transition and education of our international members."
All that's new, Bivens argues, is the penalty: A player faces suspension if, after two years on tour, she doesn't "achieve the minimal ability to communicate in English."
We do not view this as punitive but rather as underscoring the importance of a core value on which the LPGA was founded: engaging and entertaining our customers and fans. Without this most basic ability to entertain our customers, we will not maintain the current levels of events much less grow. Nor will our international members have the skills necessary to maximize their individual earnings potential by being able to communicate with prospective sponsors.
Any player failing to pass the language exam would receive help from the LPGA in identifying the areas in need of improvement and on working to address those needs. A re-evaluation would take place as soon as the player believes she has addressed the problems.
Comments
Get real. It takes 5-7 years to become proficient in a foreign language under the best of circumstances. The attrition rate in language classes in America is extremely high. This isn’t about sponsors or interviews. Professional boxing is doing just fine with a field of foreigh fighters representing nearly all weight classes using translators to respond to reporters…
.. This isn’t about learning an entire language, it’s about learning the basics - and giving them 2 years to “learn” those basics.
— The United States is the largest golf audience on the planet, we want to hear what the players have to say .. not something from an interpreter that will tell half stories with no emotion …
— Besides, they’re making millions here … let them earn it.
- CRay
CRay, that’s just the point. You don’t communicate knowing the basics of a language. Asking where the bathroom is or ordering another beer isn’t communication. Millions of us can order the beer, but if we’re told to go down the hall and turn left at the third door on the right to locate the bathroom we’re lost. Try it and then try it in front of people. Our players can rise to the occassion without adjusting the bar for the competition. Or not.
Go Girl, Im sick of some of these non-american citizens coming into this country and sucking up our way of life without wanting to give an effort to conform with our culture or beliefs.
I am happy to see Lorena Ochoa being forthright in her views and give us her opinion about the new ruling. While we continue to flog the horse, it is anything but dead. I am willing to stick my neck out and say that the LPGA would have to amend their rules and tone down their insanity. If nothing else, they will have to remove the suspension clause.
The best part about what Lorena Ochoa had to say was her point about playing in Korea and how she would not want to be robbed of that opportunity because she does not know how to speak in Korean. She also used the Evian Masters as an example. While what she had to say was largely what everyone has been talking about but her words weigh more because of the fact that she is the best player on the circuit and if she raises an objection,, then Ms Bivens will have to take notice. The icing on the cake was the fact that she offered her perspective entirely in Spanish. Her stance, could not be clearer.
While this is the last time, I would like to speak about this issue, I sincerely hope, common sense prevails and the LPGA backtracks a little bit.