LPGA Tour will suspend memberships if players don't learn English

[Bucky]

[pheyton]

Well, that solves it. Except, they are still gonna talk shit about you in their native tongue and you won't know wtf they are saying. Mission accomplished.

[Samurai_Jerk]

This sounds like something a Japanese league would do.

[Greji]

This sounds like something a Japanese league would do.

That's not the point SJ. Team sports have interpreters. Even singular baseball players may have one provided under contract. However, individual sports are a separate deal and other than what you watch on the screen, a business behind the scenes. These pros are also required to take care of the administrative details, inquiries and other matters that require the language, or an interpreter. You would think that after a year or so, they could pass English level 1, but many can't and are not interested in trying. We see that in Japan all the time from Joe FG on the street and should know how that works. So I would guess, that is the cause for the ruling. They can't have interpreters for every non-English speaking country.

[kurohinge1]

On an aside, I discovered last week that the Japanese yell "faa" instead of "fore" to warn of a golf shot that may hit someone.

Unless, of course, they completely duff the shot and it only goes a short distance, in which case they mumble "not so faa".

[canman]

This story is getting a lot of people talking about how the LPGA is being racist and really what they wanted to say was that all players should speak "white". I'm not sure about that, but it does seem a bit much to demand that the players must speak English. They should have said they would offer English tutors and translators and would encourage them to use the language, but with the possibility of losing your tour card, that is too much. When Tiger plays the Deutche Bank tournament, do you think he does all his interviews in German, I don't think so. Also what will this do to Ai Miyazato will this bring her back to Japan, or will she persevere?

[Jack]

This story is getting a lot of people talking about how the LPGA is being racist and really what they wanted to say was that all players should speak "white". I'm not sure about that, but it does seem a bit much to demand that the players must speak English. They should have said they would offer English tutors and translators and would encourage them to use the language, but with the possibility of losing your tour card, that is too much. When Tiger plays the Deutche Bank tournament, do you think he does all his interviews in German, I don't think so. Also what will this do to Ai Miyazato will this bring her back to Japan, or will she persevere?

This is racist plain and simple.

[Samurai_Jerk]

That's not the point SJ. Team sports have interpreters. Even singular baseball players may have one provided under contract. However, individual sports are a separate deal and other than what you watch on the screen, a business behind the scenes. These pros are also required to take care of the administrative details, inquiries and other matters that require the language, or an interpreter. You would think that after a year or so, they could pass English level 1, but many can't and are not interested in trying. We see that in Japan all the time from Joe FG on the street and should know how that works. So I would guess, that is the cause for the ruling. They can't have interpreters for every non-English speaking country.

I'm not sure what your point is.

[American Oyaji]

This is racist plain and simple.

No. Not Racist. Some of the non English speakers are white.

It's about money. They say they lose sponsorship money because the women can't speak English.

[Samurai_Jerk]

No. Not Racist. Some of the non English speakers are white.

It's about money. They say they lose sponsorship money because the women can't speak English.

Bullshit. They don't get sponsorship because it's the "L" PGA.

[Greji]

I'm not sure what your point is.

The vast amount of countries involved in golf, plus each person is an individual requiring separate interpretation. A baseball or football team is limited in languages it needs to provide for and one or two interpreters can satisfy the requirement.

The PGA is not asking for a PHD in English only a basic knowledge of it if they want to compete on the US Tour. There are a lot of things they have to do in English from Q School up to the tour. It does not seem unreasonable to me for an individual sport as compared to a team sport.

[TennoChinko]

Bullshit. They don't get sponsorship because it's the "L" PGA.

"Lesbians" ???

I think it's all b.s. It's the same crap the head of the WTA put on Japanese female tennis player Kimiko Date when they warned her about not speaking enough of the Eigo. They also didn't like the fact she stuck to Japanese cuisine when on the road. How fucking trivial is that?


Ichiro can probably speak English by now but he still insists on speaking through his interpreters. Have the Mariners or the MLB thrown out any warnings? Or, have do we have fans lobbying to have the dirty Jap kicked out of the US for refusing to assimilate?

None of the above.

There is a reason it is called a "sport" and not "synchronized swimming"...

[Behan]

"Lesbians" ???

I think it's all b.s. It's the same crap the head of the WTA put on Japanese female tennis player Kimiko Date when they warned her about not speaking enough of the Eigo. They also didn't like the fact she stuck to Japanese cuisine when on the road. How fucking trivial is that?...


There is a reason it is called a "sport" and not "synchronized swimming"...

She might be more interested in learning German.

[Gilligan]

While this article agrees with Greji that it's not just about being able to play golf,

Most tournaments on the LPGA Tour -- and the PGA Tour as well -- exist because they are run by local nonprofit organizations that set up the infrastructures for the events. The biggest part of the bottom line comes from the pre-tournament pro-am, which allows amateurs to get inside the ropes the day before the event and play a round of golf with the pros.

For some, it is a harrowing experience, but it also is memorable and enlightening. During 18 holes, you get to not only play on a nice golf course, but also interact with the players. Annika Sorenstam might tell a story about Tiger Woods. Juli Inkster might give you a few putting tips. Laura Davies might even hang around afterward and tip back a pint.

But the outing is not nearly as enjoyable if the pros cannot speak to the amateurs, who are paying thousands of dollars for the experience. Just like in any business, the LPGA wants its customers to be happy.

it also points out that while the LPGA should do something, the punishment they're planning on implementing does not fit the ... uhm ... "crime".

However, the international players also need some time. Look at Se Ri Pak, who began the South Korean explosion onto the LPGA Tour. The Hall of Famer couldn't get through an interview 10 years ago without some sort of translation. Now she is proud of the English she speaks.

Perhaps the numbers have made it easier for players not to make the effort to learn English. There are 45 players from South Korea on the LPGA roster and 121 international competitors from 26 countries. Many players can hang out with those from their homeland and feel comfortable speaking their native language.

In the case of the South Koreans, hiring a full-time interpreter for every event would be a good start to solving the precarious situation in which the LPGA Tour and its membership currently find themselves.

Then, if the LPGA wants to set up deadlines for English proficiency, perhaps denying a player a spot in a pro-am field and issuing a fine is a better way to go when deadlines are not met.

It is not as severe as taking away a player's opportunity to play but still gets the message across.

[Samurai_Jerk]

The vast amount of countries involved in golf, plus each person is an individual requiring separate interpretation. A baseball or football team is limited in languages it needs to provide for and one or two interpreters can satisfy the requirement.

The PGA is not asking for a PHD in English only a basic knowledge of it if they want to compete on the US Tour. There are a lot of things they have to do in English from Q School up to the tour. It does not seem unreasonable to me for an individual sport as compared to a team sport.

I still say bullshit. If it really is too much of a hassle and/or too expensive the LPGA could just say no more language support and leave it up to the players and their managers to figure out how to deal with it.

[Greji]

I still say bullshit. If it really is too much of a hassle and/or too expensive the LPGA could just say no more language support and leave it up to the players and their managers to figure out how to deal with it.

It really doesn't matter what we say, because the LPGA Tour is a private business. They provide the venues, the matches and the large amounts of money these people vie for in the tournaments. They expect in return, these pros to do certain things as pros and if they can't provide anything without an interpreter, tough titty. They can play in the tour in their own country.

It is not easy to become a pro and even so, there are still a lot of people trying to get on the US Tour and/or waiting in the wings. The US tour provides the most money so naturally, everyone wants to play in their tourneys.

By virtue of being a private company/association, LPGA should be able to do what they want within the law to control and operate their business. The dissenters are going to try to raise this to the level of discrimination, but it ain't that. What do you want, government stepping in and bailing out the golf game?

When they start hitting everyone for English proficiency to get/maintain a visa for lovely Nippon, are you going to dissent with the same vigor? That's not selected pros, that's everybody that ain't J-born.

[maraboutslim]

When Tiger plays the Deutche Bank tournament, do you think he does all his interviews in German, I don't think so.

If it had been Germany that had won the world wars he might have to. In other words, England and America have wielded great power for centuries and thus their langauge has become the de-facto business language of the modern world. So it makes a lot more sense for people from more obscure language countries to learn English than for English speakers to learn the obscure languages.

[Bucky]

[Greji]

In a related note:

No habla . . . .



http://www.serioussportsnewsnetwork.com/2008/08/mlb-mandates-all-players-must-speak-spanish.html

They already are! It's their native language.

[Samurai_Jerk]

It really doesn't matter what we say, because the LPGA Tour is a private business. They provide the venues, the matches and the large amounts of money these people vie for in the tournaments. They expect in return, these pros to do certain things as pros and if they can't provide anything without an interpreter, tough titty. They can play in the tour in their own country.

It is not easy to become a pro and even so, there are still a lot of people trying to get on the US Tour and/or waiting in the wings. The US tour provides the most money so naturally, everyone wants to play in their tourneys.

By virtue of being a private company/association, LPGA should be able to do what they want within the law to control and operate their business. The dissenters are going to try to raise this to the level of discrimination, but it ain't that. What do you want, government stepping in and bailing out the golf game?

When they start hitting everyone for English proficiency to get/maintain a visa for lovely Nippon, are you going to dissent with the same vigor? That's not selected pros, that's everybody that ain't J-born.

You're assuming I think the LPGA shouldn't be allowed to do what they want, which is not true. I don't think this is a matter for the courts or the law but I can still say I think it's a stupid fucking move.

I'm not sure why you're bringing the visa issue into this discussion. I guess it's the effects of going boke in your old age

[Greji]

[quote="Samurai_Jerk"]I'm not sure why you're bringing the visa issue into this discussion. I guess it's the effects of going boke in your old age ]

If you can't speaka da Japoni you can't have a visa. Wasn't that the proposal?

Any rate, back to your orignal post which was...ahh... well, ah..what was it you were talking about?

[Mulboyne]

They have changed their minds. LA Times article here.

State Assemblyman Ted Lieu (D-Torrance) urged the LPGA to change that business model. To require players to schmooze with corporate sponsors and value that over their ability to play golf is "very demeaning to the sport," he said.

Also:

LPGA Panders to Common Sense, Decency

Late last month, the LPGA announced it would suspend golfers who couldn't pass an English proficiency test, ostensibly to kick all the South Koreans out. The reaction from the great sporting society was ... not very positive. Now that the Tour has rescinded its decision, everyone's going to think lower of the LPGA brass: the people who considered the Tour idiots in the first place for approving a short-sighted, xenophobic policy, as well as the crowd who undoubtedly quietly approved of the LPGA decision. People don't like "flip-floppers" or those who pander to common sense -- in this country, strength of conviction seems to be more important than being right. LPGA has basically lost on every count...There is a solution, though: make the golfers submit to an Attractiveness Proficiency Test. I mean, the English test was meant to weed out unmarketable outsiders, right?...The casual viewing audience obviously doesn't care about talent or ability to speak English clearly: it wants babes. Heck, replace the 36-hole cut with a bikini contest, go all out...more...