Posted by
Katy Grimes on Wednesday, August 27, 2008 11:52:44 PM
The latest English language debate is now in the forefront of the LPGA. For the past several years, the LPGA has attempted to get the many foreign golfers to at least work on speaking English. The LPGA has offered tutoring and online language programs such as the Rosetta Stone.
Players who have been on the tour two years or more must take a basic English evaluation, according to the LPGA, and failure would result in a suspension from the LPGA.
Apparently, the problem is with the South Koreans who don't speak a lick of English, but spend the majority of their professional time in the U.S. Tour officials told South Korean several years ago of the impending language rule, so this comes as no surprise.
The problem is that recent South Korean tour winners cannot event give a simple acceptance speech. South Korean Tour winners Se Ri Pak and Angela Park agree with the rule saying that the South Korean players feel that they are being targeted, but primarily because there are so many South Koreans playing on the tour.
The LPGA is an American tour. In America, English is still the primary language. Seon Hwa-Lee, a 2008 tour winner thinks that everyone on the LKPGA tour can at least study up for a simple interview.
I'd suggest that when in Rome, do as the Romans do. When in America, speak English.