September 12, 2008 - The Ladies Professional Golf Association recently announced a new policy. The new rule stated that players had to pass an English language efficiency exam by next year or face suspension.
Understandably, players, fans, sponsors, civil rights advocates and a lot of other people freaked out. Most saw the policy as offensive and directed at the large segment of Asian players on the tour.
To many, the policy came off as harsh and xenophobic (look it up) but the LPGA claimed it was a business decision meant to grow the audience for women’s golf.
Not that surprisingly the LPGA announced last week that they were going to rethink their new policy. From the LPGA website:
The LPGA has received valuable feedback from a variety of constituents regarding the recently announced penalties attached to our effective communications policy. We have decided to rescind those penalty provisions.
Obviously, the LPGA got a lot of hate mail and had to restore their reputation. Hopefully they can find a way to work something out that is less offensive, and more inclusive. Maybe they can find some college students who would be willing to go on tour as English tutors?. Whatever the solution, we hope that no permanent damage has been done to one of the more successful endeavors in women’s sports.
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