Galloway Says LPGA "Puzzled" By Reaction To English Policy
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Choi Says Suspension
Is Excessive Punishment |
LPGA Deputy Commissioner Libba Galloway Thursday said the organization is "puzzled, if not surprised, by some of the reactions" to the LPGA's plans to institute an English-language proficiency test for int'l players, according to Doug Ferguson of the AP. Galloway: "We see this as a pro-international move." Galloway said that title sponsors "offer individual endorsement deals to players and players who can't interact in pro-ams or with sponsors because of limited English are hurting themselves financially." Galloway added, "You have to interact effectively with your pro-am partners. You need to be able to do media interviews. And you need to give a winner's acceptance speech in English. ... What we're seeing is that a handful of players don't speak to the level they need to be." Galloway said of implementing the policy, "We're looking at the future. As you know, we have a large international membership. All indications are it's not going to get smaller." Ferguson noted LPGA Commissioner Carolyn Bivens is "strangely absent during this debate." PGA Tour member K.J. Choi, a native of South Korea, said of the plan, "It is good for them to help players learn English. When I learned English, I became a better player. But to suspend them? I don't think so." Golfer Angel Cabrera said in Spanish, "You don't have to speak English to play golf." Golfer Padraig Harrington added, "Who draws the line about how many words you've got to know in English? What if you have a person who genuinely struggles with learning a new language; they have a learning disability?" (AP, 8/28).
AN INSIDE LOOK: Duramed Futures Tour Communications Manager Lisa Mickey, who formerly covered the LPGA for Golf World magazine and served as Golf For Women Senior Editor, wrote, "To the outside it might appear that the LPGA is being heavy-handed with this new policy, but if you work closely with these international players, you come to understand they are perfectionists in more than just golf. ... They want to be proficient." Mickey added, "Maybe I'm just missing the point of all the hoopla out there about the LPGA's new English communication policy. I guess it doesn't seem heavy-handed to me to encourage all players -- regardless of where they are from -- to say 'thank you' or 'nice shot' a little more often" (DURAMEDFUTURESTOUR.com, 8/28).
NOT A BAD IDEA: In California, Larry Bohannan writes, "You can't help but understand the LPGA's point," as the tour is "losing two, three, maybe four or five tournaments next year over sponsorship issues. It is a tour trying to structure a new television business model" (Palm Springs DESERT SUN, 8/29). GOLF.com's Farrell Evans wrote, "Many writers and bloggers are enjoying the opportunity to throw self-righteous grenades at the LPGA, but that's because they don't understand that being a touring pro means more than putting a ball in a hole. Public relations, sponsor seduction and fan interaction are all part of the job. ... If the LPGA didn't seek to set a standard for English literacy it would be furthering the alienation and isolation that minority immigrant groups have historically felt" in the U.S. (GOLF.com, 8/28).
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Bivens Taking Heat
Over Language Policy |
SWING AND A MISS? SPORTINGNEWS.com's Eric McErlain wrote having players who struggle to speak English "does impact the LPGA's ability to market the sport to a wider audience in the USA, which is still the tour's most important market." However, forcing the players to learn English "is unfair." From a media standpoint, the LPGA "may not have handled this as well as they could have" (SPORTINGNEWS.com, 8/28). GOLF.com's John Garrity wrote under the header, "The LPGA's New Language Rule Is Appalling To Say The Least." The LPGA for several years has "promoted itself as a 'world tour.' ... Maybe I'd see it differently if it was my job to market the LPGA in the Western Hemisphere. But I can't help thinking that Bivens and her minions are trying to swat a gnat with a sledgehammer" (GOLF.com, 8/28). FOXSPORTS.com's Mark Kriegel wrote the policy is "un-American. It represents a potential assault on the idea of merit, and an insult, not just to golfers, but to all athletes." Golf's economy "depends heavily on corporate sponsors and the players' abilities to schmooze those sponsors." But financial inducements are not to be considered an obligation. You don't legislate language" (FOXSPORTS.com, 8/28). A GOLF BUSINESS WIRE editorial states Bivens "must work overtime busying herself with formulating ideas that appear antithetical to her duties." Bivens' "latest brainstorm attempts to nullify talent and hard work ... in exchange for a better marketing and communications platform" (GOLFBUSINESSWIRE.com, 8/29).
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