Carolyn Bivens

LPGA Commissioner Carolyn Bivens has issued a defense of the association’s much-criticized language policy, saying that it is not aimed at a particular group of golfers and that it will be beneficial to the LPGA and the golfers themselves.

The policy, which would require a certain level of English ability among the golfers and penalize those who do not meet that standard, has been criticized by Asian American organizations and elected officials, who said that no other professional sports organization has such a requirement and that the policy appears to be a reaction to the large number of Asian golfers, mostly from South Korea, on the tour.

Protests have been lodged by the Japanese American Citizens League, Organization of Chinese Americans and Asian American Justice Center as well as Assemblywoman Mary Hayashi (D-Hayward) and State Sen. Leland Yee (D-San Francisco).

In response to the many letters sent to the LPGA by concerned individuals, Bivens wrote this week: “A great deal has been written this past week about the LPGA’s initiative to help members attain minimal English language skills ... Let’s start with a key point of clarity: we are not suggesting, nor will we implement, an ‘English only’ policy.

“The LPGA does not, nor will we ever, require English fluency, or even proficiency, from our international players.

“As a U.S.-based tour, more than 65 percent of our events are held in our home country. For those events, we need our members to attain a level of communication in English so they can:

“A. Deliver an enjoyable experience in the pro-am events at tournaments, which are the lifeblood of the LPGA business model;

“B. Conduct their post-round interviews in English for the media; and

“C. Deliver a short acceptance speech after winning an event.

“None of this is new. The LPGA has had a program for more than three years whereby we dedicate substantial resources for the transition and education of our international members.

“This program includes an on-line learning program, tutors and translators with the expressed goal being a functional ability to communicate in English within two years after an international member has joined the LPGA.

“The aspect which is new and received the vast majority of coverage last week is the penalty, which would be assessed after two years if a player didn’t achieve the minimal ability to communicate in English. We do not view this as punitive but rather as underscoring the importance of a core value on which the LPGA was founded: engaging and entertaining our customers and fans.

“Without this most basic ability to entertain our customers, we will not maintain the current levels of events, much less grow. Nor will our international members have the skills necessary to maximize their individual earnings potential by being able to communicate with prospective sponsors ...

“I believe, as do the majority of our domestic and international members, the program we have implemented will benefit the LPGA and every tour member individually.”

Entertaining Sponsors

In a more detailed response posted on the LPGA’s website, Bivens said, “Unlike athletes in other sports, LPGA players must entertain and engage sponsors and their customers on a weekly basis; our business model does not rely on advertising and ticket sales as others do.

“Before these players tee it up for a tournament, they play in pro-ams spending 5-6 hours with the sponsors and guests. No other sport gives fans and sponsors this kind of direct access and experience.”

Bivens also addressed the issue of discrimination: “What I find most troubling are the baseless accusations that the LPGA is acting out of racist and intolerant motives. I could not disagree more vehemently. Quite the contrary, because of our incredible diversity, we have the most unique and informed perspective on how enforcing a communication policy will positively impact players from all countries.”

For the complete statement, go to www.lpga.com/content_1.aspx?pid=17137&mid=4.