August 26, 2008
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English Only Comes to the LPGA
http://www.golfweek.com/story/lpga-english-news-082508
Well, according to Golf Week, which broke the story, the LPGA (Ladies' Professional Golf Association) has decided to make English mandatory. Hmmm...I wonder could this have something to do with the fact that 45 Koreans out of 121 international golfers make up the roster of LPGA? Surely, it can't be? Sadly, I think it has a lot to do with it. The supposed reasoning for this action is that sponsors are frustrated with the lack of communication and interaction during pro-ams and the difficulty of interviews with the press. WTF? I don't think this is the case. I think that people were complaining that there were too many Koreans in the top ten every single week and the interest in women's golf was declining.
This decision by the LPGA reeks of elitism and xenophobia. But, you argue that other foreign players have learned English. Which foreign players? Anika? Ochoa? Koch? Well, I would argue that Ankia and Koch learned English along with one or two other languages while growing like every other European school child. Ochoa, of course would learn English simply because she lives next to a very large (for better or worse) English speaking country. So, that really is not a valid argument. Apparently there was a mandatory meeting with all the Korean golfers. No other international golfers were included in this meeting. It was in this meeting that the language policy was announced. Now, the article did not say weather other meetings were held with other groups of international golfers, but I am willing to assume that such other meetings were held. However, it still begs the question, why was a meeting held for only the Korean golfers?
I'm surprised there hasn't been that much concern raised about this blatantly racist policy. Imagine the amount of hell that would be raised if MLB (Major League Baseball) decided to make English mandatory. The Hispanic community would be on fire ready to burn down Cooperstown and march on MLB's New York Headquarters. I don't think that much fuss would be raised by anybody (save maybe the majority of the American born players) if the NHL (National Hockey League) decided to make French (in deference to hockey's Canadian roots) and official language.
Now I have a big problem with the following statement:
"The tour will rely on its communication staff to help identify players who need to be evaluated. International players who already demonstrate English proficiency will not be approached."
What criteria are they going to use? How do they define "English proficiency?" And why is it not a blanket policy on all international players? If you are going to have a rule requiring English proficiency for all international golfers, then all international golfers should have to take this :"oral examination."
And yes, I do agree it has to do with marketing. However, I don't agree the interpretation. Sure the economy is bad and sponsors are dropping off. But, what does that have to do with international (read: Korean) golfers not speaking English? Sure, people pay thousands of dollars to play in the pre-tournament pro-am. What do they expect? They expect to be "entertained" by the golfer they are playing with. Umm, okay...that's not their job. The golfer's job is to play golf, that's what they are there for. Entertainment is secondary if that.
I seriously hope the LPGA reconsiders this action. It is a blatant insult and swipe against the influx of Korean golfers, hidden behid the excuse of declining sponsorship. Here's how to contact the LPGA:
100 International Golf Drive
Daytona Beach, Florida 32124-1092
Phone: (386) 274-6200
Fax: (386) 274-1099
feedback@lpga.com
Let's send Commissioner Carolyn Bivens (who never played professional golf, btw) a messgae, and let her know that there is no place for her xenophobic policies in todays world of international sports.
Sorry this rant came out a little long. Any thoughts?
Comments (4)
Sports World, Corporate World, Politics, and Religion have never been about who was better, or who was right.. its sadly come to the media market of the 21st century of who is a better communicator, who is more marketable, who is more likeable. Other than Michelle Wie, none look good enough to market (even Wie isn't a very personable player and makes dumb mistakes) and the rest of the korean women golfers seem less personable. For the sport to make money and for everyone to take a piece of the pie, people need to buy into it. The golfers know it too.. if they don't raise alot of $$$ they only get $ to nothing.
what will they do next?? make english the official language of the united states?!? heaven forbid!
i dunno... it wasn't so much a racist decision as it was an economic one.
international players who don't speak english proficiently only have to consider tour winnings and promotional opportunities in their home country. what becomes of the LPGA? they're still cranking out golden eggs at the expense of the golden goose. if you lose sponsors, tour winnings will drop. if anything, being accessible and supporting the organization is all part of the sport.
when the NBA instituted a dress code, was that racist? they wanted their multi-million dollar athletes look good for their corporate sponsors. it's part of the job description.
every sport has its selling point. since golf is such an individual sport, so much of the focus is how personable and relatable a winner is. contrast that with baseball, where a team's success is more important and there's a roster of superstars you can promote. plus there's still enough english-speaking players in baseball to do the necessary interviews. even then, there can be conflict in the locker room when some speak english and others don't. if you're a radio host or a sports journalist, who are you more likely to request for an interview: an english-speaking ballplayer or someone who doesn't speak a lick?
http://www.nypost.com/seven/06292007/sports/mets/lo_duca_tired_of_doing_the_talking_mets_michael_morrissey.htm
if anything, most of the korean players are on board with it.
http://sports.espn.go.com/golf/news/story?id=3553888
plus they don't have the ACLA in south korea.
hmm, of course I am keeping in mind that I am not of Korean descent, but I would have to agree with Simon on this one. I don't think this is a matter of jealousy that Koren women are dominating the LPGA, I doubt anyone gives a flip and actually welcomes the more international flair to the game - it probably is brining more interest to women's golf. I think it is about communitcation and marketing, as Simon says ( no pun intended. Geit it,,,Simon says hahaha). Anyway as..Simon says... golf is a different game than others, as is tennis, where sponsors offer big money to big time players (which, as you should be proud of, most on the LPGA at the moment are Korean or in Michelle Wie's case American of of Korean descent). As political incorrect as this may seem, it will actually wind up being to the Korean women's benefit in the long run and the LPGA as a whole and it's striving for equality with the PGA. But I do hear you in saying Baseball with its srtong Latin American presence and small Japanese presencse hasn't done this, nor has the NHL done soe, which would be hard, since so many players are from different places now, USA, french speaking part of Canada, Finland, Sweeden Czech Rep, Slovakia, Russia, etc. But likewise, the players, no matter how good and popular, that are half way proficient in Englsih - are much more successful off the field, ice, or court, and much more marketable, if they speak English half way well and are able to give back to the community in greater ways because of it. Case in point locally - Dirk Nowitzki, Pudge Rodrigues (when he was a Ranger), and several of the Dalls Stars thru their history here. On a negative side, again some of the Stars, who don't speak English well, or Juan Gonzalez when he was a Ranger. Never achieved the popularity that Pudge did outside the Hispanic community here, nor the marketability that Pudge did.
Not necessrily saying it is fair and just, but it is just the way things are and maybe not as unfair or unjust as it seems. Besides, and I don't mean to sound like a red neck, if you are going to spend a lot of time in USA, and engage in business here, as LPGA golfers are essentially doing by playing here, then you need to be able to communicate in the language of that place. Of course, as I said, tho I try look at it in a fair manner, I know I have a different perspective since I am not Korean or of Korean descent and a naruaral here with English as my first language.
i think we may actually live a couple more years bc of the absence of in-n-out! hahaha...
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