LPGA’s 2009 Decree: Want To Play? Speak English

The LPGA is perhaps the most diverse of all professional circuits. It has 121 international players from 26 countries, including 45 from South Korea. The problem is that not everyone can communicate.

As such, GolfWeek reported on its web site earlier this week that in order to compete on the United States-based tour, players will have to pass oral evaluation of English skills.

The LPGA said players who have been on the tour for two years face suspension if they can’t pass the evaluation.

“Hopefully, what we’re talking about is something that will not happen,” deputy commissioner Libba Galloway told Golfweek. “If it does, we wouldn’t just say, ‘Come back next year.’ What we would do is work with them on where they fell short, provide them the resources they need, the tutoring … and when we feel like they need to be evaluated again, we would evaluate.”

The pending new policy, which will begin with the 2009 season, has already caused some confusion among South Korean players, which seems to justify the reason for having it.

South Korean players interviewed by GolfWeek thougt they would lose their cards, not be suspended, if they fail the English evaluation.

The LPGA has not provided details, but like other professional leagues, it relies on a healthy relationship with sponsors.

According to GolfWeek, Kate Peters, the tournament director of the LPGA State Farm Classic, believes in the policy.

“This is an American tour,” Peters told the magazine. “It is important for sponsors to be able to interact with players and have a positive experience.”