Last week the LPGA announced that the U.S ladies tour would become an English only zone by the end of the year. The proposal said that all players would have to sit through an exam to show that they can communicate adequately in English. Obviously this was met with widespread criticism from 'do-gooders' giving their two cents, most stating that the 'tour is about golf ability not English ability'.For those numskulls, the tour is actually a business and a business decision was made to benefit the entire athletic body. The LPGA provides an income to professional female golfers by organizing events with prize money, which is not possible without sponsors. The policy did not state that the golfers had to recite Shakespeare or list all fifty U.S states. Frankly, they can play on many other tours if they do not like it.
Nevertheless, this week the LPGA has changed its mind on their effective communications policy LPGA Commissioner Carolyn Bivens stating. "The LPGA has received valuable feedback from a variety of constituents regarding the recently announced penalties attached to our effective communications policy. We have decided to rescind those penalty provisions. After hearing the concerns, we believe there are other ways to achieve our shared objective of supporting and enhancing the business opportunities for every Tour player. In that spirit, we will continue communicating with our diverse Tour players to develop a better alternative. The LPGA will announce a revised approach, absent playing penalties, by the end of 2008."
The LPGA already provides English tutors and translators through their cultural program, which in itself is a generous service to encourage the best players in the world to the U.S. I am disappointed the LPGA, has not stuck to their guns.
The LPGA has 121 foreign players from 26 countries, including 45 from South Korea. Five of the Koreans have won six tournaments this year.
As of the first of September, the following Australian women are in the top one hundred of the Rolex Women's World Golf Ranking: Rachael Hetherington (75), Lindsey Wright (45), Katherine Hull (41) and Karrie Webb (8).
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