LPGA Drops Plan To Suspend Players Not Conversant In English

Bowing to a torrent of criticism, the L.P.G.A. Tour dropped plans on Friday to suspend players who were not conversant in English by 2009. The tour said it would announce a revised policy, with no playing penalties, by the end of this year.

Late last month, the L.P.G.A. revealed the policy, which would have required that tour players with two years of experience pass an oral exam in basic English by the end of 2009. Players who did not comply would face suspension of playing privileges for an undetermined period. The policy's intent, L.P.G.A. officials said, was to enhance financial opportunities for the tour and its players, of whom about 120 are foreign-born. The L.P.G.A. wanted all its players to speak passable English at tournaments, pro-am events, sponsorship gatherings and post-tournament news conferences.

Read the whole story here.

Comments

[BrianBarker]

I think that LPGA's decision to recscnd its somewhat dictatorial decision, about English, demands congratulation.

At the same time it has brought the whole problem of the need for an international language ,other than English,into the arena.

Bearing in mind the use of Esperanto, within the Beijing Olympics, I would seriously consider http://www.lernu net for consideration.

[curocat]

I think the LPGA commissioners need to resign.. Is this a result of some of the players complaining because the lost??? Why is it a concern of the LPGA to " enhance business opportunities" to these player?? I 'm sure they'll get plenty without your unsolicited help...Final thought, maybe all those Asian sponsor should pull their support for the LPGA tournaments... The commission sounds like a bunch of Nazi..

[elcojonu]

An elitist organization of an elitist sport backs down .
How quaint.
Golfers get bad backs.

[nastyvirus]

I think (hence the acrid smoke) that the ladies should be required to learn English. That way, beating Americans at their own game, and in their own language, will be doubly sweet!

[dct1999]

Does the word translator mean nothing to these people?

[pros54]

The recent conveners in St. Paul are at it again. I do not watch golf anyway cannot play and do not understand . Too slow and snobbish for me.

[JackNasty]

My, how welcoming these language purists of "ladies golf" are. Does one really need to speak English to get a hole in one?

What's next? Will the LPGA attempt to rid itself of its lesbians following?

[Quaoar]

Then there wouldn't be an LPGA.

[SoCalNick]

IS this for REAL??? In the USA?? Are they KIDDING??

Golf is STILL trying to segregate itself in this primative way?

Remember when Blacks were only allowed to cut the Grass and the CADDIE?

Maybe they are afraid of what happenned when they finally let Blacks play golf.

this IS 2008 right??