By BETH ANN BALDRY
Senior Writer
The LPGA, faced with mounting opposition to its recent English-proficiency requirement, has scrapped the policy’s penalty provision, the tour announced Sept. 5.
In a three-paragraph statement, the LPGA said “there are other ways to achieve our shared objective of supporting and enhancing the business opportunities for every tour player.’’
Opposition to the mandate, which commissioner Carolyn Bivens disclosed Aug. 20 at a meeting of South Korean players before the Safeway Classic in Portland, Ore., had been growing. Players with two or more years on tour would have been required to be conversant in English by the end of next season or face suspension.
When
Golfweek broke the story on Golfweek.com, reaction was swift. Players, agents and tournament sponsors acknowledged that a problem exists. It was the punitive aspect of the LPGA’s rule that prompted a pushback.
Within two weeks, the LPGA had relented.
Bivens and her deputy, Libba Galloway, could not be reached by
Golfweek for comment.
The tour includes 121 international players from 26 countries, including 45 from South Korea.
California Sen. Leland Yee, a Democrat from San Francisco, had been exploring the legality of the LPGA’s mandate. He and Rep. Mary Hayashi, a Democrat from Hayward, were considering legislation that could have restricted the tour’s activities in California, where the LPGA plays three events this year. Yee and dozens of national and state organizations were planning to protest at next month’s Samsung World Championships in Half Moon Bay, Calif.
“I’m thrilled that the LPGA decided to rescind the rule,’’ Yee said. “Had they not done that, we were prepared to protest and lead demonstrations against the tournament.”
The LPGA has been off for two weeks since the Safeway Classic and resumes play with next week’s Micro Bell Classic in Mobile, Ala.
The LPGA has a unique setup in professional sports. While the PGA Tour and other major sports generate revenue from television and assorted rights fees, the LPGA’s business model depends heavily on its pro-am events.
Amateurs pay $4,000 or more to play with an LPGA player during a pretournament round. A growing number of LPGA members are from Asian nations, and many have little experience with English. Cultural issues of East versus West also might preclude more of a relaxed banter with primarily male playing partners. As a result, the LPGA has fielded some concerns from sponsors about a lack of perceived value in the pro-ams.
State Farm, which sponsors an LPGA event, had been caught off guard by the LPGA’s initial announcement. Like other sponsors that responded to
Golfweek’s questions, State Farm said it had not been consulted on the English-proficiency policy.
“We asked them to give it some more thought,’’ said Phil Supple, a State Farm spokesman. “The news that they put out speaks for itself.’’
J.S. Kang, who represents six Asian players as vice president of Sterling Sports Management, recognizes the need for foreign players to make a better connection with fans and other supporters of the LPGA. But he says the issue on the LPGA tour “was never an English issue.’’
“Just because you speak perfect English doesn’t make you an engaging pro-am partner,’’ Kang said.
“The tour and the players were never at cross-purposes on this initiative. The penalty was always the real issue.’’
• • •
Beth Ann Baldry is a
Golfweek senior writer. To reach her e-mail
bbaldry@golfweek.com. Dan Mirocha and Adam Schupak contributed.
Posted: 9/5/2008
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