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Senior writer Beth Ann Baldry, who broke the news of the LPGA English-proficiency mandate Aug. 25 on Golfweek.com, asked LPGA commissioner Carolyn Bivens about the policy in questions e-mailed to the tour offices in Daytona Beach, Fla. Bivens, who has been on vacation in California, responded via e-mail:Golfweek: How is the tour responding to the criticism? Is it rethinking the English-proficiency mandate in any way?
Carolyn Bivens: The feedback we are getting is much the same as what has been in the mainstream media, which runs from total agreement for the program to asking for more information to disagreeing with the position. The more the audience knows about the business model of the LPGA, the more likely they are to be in agreement. We welcome the dialogue, which is a wonderful way to learn what people are thinking about the LPGA and to inform at the same time.
GW: When will the regulation be released? Is the LPGA seeking any input from the South Korean players and/or their representatives in crafting the policy?
CB: The criteria for evaluation will be released to the membership by the end of 2008. We have a core team of LPGA staff crafting the criteria with consultation from leading language and education experts.
GW: How has the LPGA responded to Asian-advocacy groups that have criticized the decision?
CB: We’ve not had the opportunity to speak with all of the groups that have contacted us, but we have had dialogue with some of the folks who have asked for more information or criticized our policy. The conversations have been positive, with a good exchange of information. Since much of the coverage reported on only 5 percent of our program, the penalty, instead of 95 percent of our program, the education and resources committed to our tour members, the one-on-one conversations are productive and positive. Some people and groups are developing opinions based on misinformation instead of understanding the policy in its entirety before drawing conclusions. We intend to follow up with these groups in the days ahead.
GW: Have you cut short your vacation to deal with the public response?
CB: While I’ve not been in the office this week, I have been in constant communication with our staff, sponsors and members as the LPGA responds to the various inquiries and media requests this past week.
Posted: 9/1/2008
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