[wolfpackblack]

Just came across the wire, figured I'd share since it's been a hot topic of late.

http://www.google.co..._cPdVQD99DMETG1

[andyville99]

I'm probably the only one who thinks she hit the nail on the head with the proposal of the English language rule, and the interview yesterday with the winner of the US Open proved that point - what a freakin' joke. What sponsor is gonna be willing to pony up millions to have their clients interact with a tour where a fairly high percentage of the players in the pro-ams can't even interact with the clients???

Perhaps she deserved to go for other reasons, but she was RIGHT on that one!!!!

[bscinstnct]

The English language rule makes very little sense.

ie. If an LPGA golfer who looked and spoke like a young Sophia Loren were on tour, would the old fart client care about
her native language?

ie. If there were an LPGA golfer who spoke Urdu, but could drive the ball 320 and wedge from heavy rough, would the client
care about pleasant conversation?

What are we really talking about here?

[wolfpackblack]

I'm not going to take sides, nor do I have an opinion about the subject, but I do believe that knowing English is very beneficial for locking down endorsement deals if you plan on doing advertising for American corporations, or doing campaigns marketed towards English speaking consumers.

However, whether or not it should be mandatory is not my place to say, especially considering that the LPGA and a player's endorsement have nothing to do with one another.

[jkumpire]

I'm sorry to say, that the rule does make sense. Golf is not like Soccer, where ESPN 2 can have it's on the field MLS reporter be bi-lingual and translate the Spanish players interview answers for an English language audience. And a five minute interview after a match can work with a translator.

Golf is an individual sport, where there is lots of communication between spectators and players. Endorsements are made and relationships started to benefit the tour and businesses with the players, and those who follow the tour. When those people who are players cannot hold up their end of the deal because of a language barrier, it hurts the Tour. No question about it.

I mean, would anyone watch the new TW commercials with Kenny Perry and Sergio Garcia fighting over the driver to sell to a guy in a Dick's Sporting Goods store if Garcia spoke only Spanish?

I'll watch the LPGA tour if I am able, even if I have to hear Johnny Miller and Roger Maltby backwards. But, to say this language problem is not a problem is just being PC and sticking your head in the sand, IMO.

Now, as to whether the policy was a good idea and was it handled correctly, that is another story.

[woohoo4me]

jkumpire, on Jul 13 2009, 08:04 PM, said:

I'm sorry to say, that the rule does make sense. Golf is not like Soccer, where ESPN 2 can have it's on the field MLS reporter be bi-lingual and translate the Spanish players interview answers for an English language audience. And a five minute interview after a match can work with a translator.

Golf is an individual sport, where there is lots of communication between spectators and players. Endorsements are made and relationships started to benefit the tour and businesses with the players, and those who follow the tour. When those people who are players cannot hold up their end of the deal because of a language barrier, it hurts the Tour. No question about it.

I mean, would anyone watch the new TW commercials with Kenny Perry and Sergio Garcia fighting over the driver to sell to a guy in a Dick's Sporting Goods store if Garcia spoke only Spanish?

I'll watch the LPGA tour if I am able, even if I have to hear Johnny Miller and Roger Maltby backwards. But, to say this language problem is not a problem is just being PC and sticking your head in the sand, IMO.

Now, as to whether the policy was a good idea and was it handled correctly, that is another story.

Well said, Blue.

[cb_golfer]

bscinstnct, on Jul 13 2009, 06:21 PM, said:

The English language rule makes very little sense.

ie. If an LPGA golfer who looked and spoke like a young Sophia Loren were on tour, would the old fart client care about
her native language?

ie. If there were an LPGA golfer who spoke Urdu, but could drive the ball 320 and wedge from heavy rough, would the client
care about pleasant conversation?

What are we really talking about here?

Having a rule to be enforced sounds archaic. That said, the LPGA should have done much more to encourage the non-English speaking members to learn conversational English.

Sophia Loren looks but spoke no English. That will wear out quick and no one will take her seriously. Urdu. You'll have the Urdu contingent and then what? LPGA champions are spokepersons for the LPGA Tour and the global business language is English. How can you effectively market yourself and your tour if you can't communicate?

[Rolex]

One problem with the English rule was that Japan said: "Fine. By-the-way, you can cancel the travel arrangements for the top LPGA stars who come to Japan every year to try to fill up their purses with cash, since they can't speak Japanese."

There is nothing like putting the golf shoe on the other foot to illustrate how ridiculous some policies are.

[BEND OF THE RIVER GC]

bscinstnct, on Jul 13 2009, 09:21 PM, said:

The English language rule makes very little sense.

ie. If an LPGA golfer who looked and spoke like a young Sophia Loren were on tour, would the old fart client care about
her native language?

ie. If there were an LPGA golfer who spoke Urdu, but could drive the ball 320 and wedge from heavy rough, would the client
care about pleasant conversation?

What are we really talking about here?

Actually it does. It is an AMERICAN Tour and English is the official language of the United States. I thought it was fair.

The LPGA has some great opportunities for marketing, but it hurts that the tour is really almost a world women's tour overall/.

[bscinstnct]

People watch sports to see excitement, competition and drama. Not to see the athletes verbal skills.

Who cares about the language skills of a WR who just dove for a TD or the diction of the guy who just hit a 480 foot blast?
Does anyone care that some of the most exciting baseball players don't speak English well?


I think we are talking about style of play.

As far as style of play goes I think that the popularity, as expressed in TV viewership, of Wie says it all. Reward the bombers
with tracks that suit them. Don't like plodding 220 yard drives. Make them drive 240 over a hazard and watch viewership shoot
up to see the agony of defeat ala the 17th at Sawgrass. I thought that 250 yard
par 4 at the Open was great.

[bscinstnct]

woohoo4me, on Jul 13 2009, 11:17 PM, said:

jkumpire, on Jul 13 2009, 08:04 PM, said:

I'm sorry to say, that the rule does make sense. Golf is not like Soccer, where ESPN 2 can have it's on the field MLS reporter be bi-lingual and translate the Spanish players interview answers for an English language audience. And a five minute interview after a match can work with a translator.

Golf is an individual sport, where there is lots of communication between spectators and players. Endorsements are made and relationships started to benefit the tour and businesses with the players, and those who follow the tour. When those people who are players cannot hold up their end of the deal because of a language barrier, it hurts the Tour. No question about it.

I mean, would anyone watch the new TW commercials with Kenny Perry and Sergio Garcia fighting over the driver to sell to a guy in a Dick's Sporting Goods store if Garcia spoke only Spanish?

I'll watch the LPGA tour if I am able, even if I have to hear Johnny Miller and Roger Maltby backwards. But, to say this language problem is not a problem is just being PC and sticking your head in the sand, IMO.

Now, as to whether the policy was a good idea and was it handled correctly, that is another story.

Well said, Blue.

You know, I think that the spot with KP and Sergio would have been hilarious if Sergio was yelling at KP in Spanish.

Sergio (en Espanol) "I can fly it by YOU, old man"

KP (also en Espanol) "Vamos!, Amigo" which I believe means "let's go!, friend". My apologies if I have this wrong but you get the idea.

[ssp]

bscinstnct, on Jul 14 2009, 11:10 AM, said:

People watch sports to see excitement, competition and drama. Not to see the athletes verbal skills.

Who cares about the language skills of a WR who just dove for a TD or the diction of the guy who just hit a 480 foot blast?
Does anyone care that some of the most exciting baseball players don't speak English well?


I think we are talking about style of play.

As far as style of play goes I think that the popularity, as expressed in TV viewership, of Wie says it all. Reward the bombers
with tracks that suit them. Don't like plodding 220 yard drives. Make them drive 240 over a hazard and watch viewership shoot
up to see the agony of defeat ala the 17th at Sawgrass. I thought that 250 yard
par 4 at the Open was great.

Agreed

[jlam1127]

The players are independent contractors and aren't bind to the LPGA. They can speak whatever language they want as long as they are playing well and being respectful. If language is that important to you, then tell half of the MLB that they need to speak english before they pick up the bat here. Same concept. If the LPGA players have an issue with fear of losing sponsors here in the US, then they need to play better and be more competitive than the Koreans, then we wouldnt have this problem.

By the way, America doesn't have an official language.

[PittShark]

I'm not sure I want to take a definite stand on whether or not there should be an official language rule, but think of it this way for a moment: What is the single biggest issue facing the LPGA right now? Losing sponsors and tournaments. I know someone made mention that the tour has become more international, but it's been talked about in many medias that the basis for some of these international stops is the loss of tournaments here. Not to say it's bad to have them, but I'm sure as an american tour, the LPGA would like to have as many tournaments in the states as possible. That being said, its obvious how important it is right now to retain the current sponsors they have. Think for a second, if you are the CEO of a major corporation sponsoring a tour stop, what would you rather see: Paula or Morgan, or an international player w/ good english skills win the event, and in their TV interview say, 'I would like to thank <corporation> for putting on a great event and being great partners to our tour.' Or would you rather see a non-english speaking player come into an interview with their translator and stick to generic Q & A as to keep things as simple as possible.

This is just my opinion of course, but I stand by the notion that being able show gratitude to the sponsor and get their name or product another mention in a language that viewing audience understands can go a long way in holding on to these sponsors the LPGA desperately needs.

[tbowles411]

BEND OF THE RIVER GC, on Jul 14 2009, 11:48 AM, said:

bscinstnct, on Jul 13 2009, 09:21 PM, said:

The English language rule makes very little sense.

ie. If an LPGA golfer who looked and spoke like a young Sophia Loren were on tour, would the old fart client care about
her native language?

ie. If there were an LPGA golfer who spoke Urdu, but could drive the ball 320 and wedge from heavy rough, would the client
care about pleasant conversation?

What are we really talking about here?

Actually it does. It is an AMERICAN Tour and English is the official language of the United States. I thought it was fair.

The LPGA has some great opportunities for marketing, but it hurts that the tour is really almost a world women's tour overall/.

I can agree with some of this. The bottom line is sponsorship and money. Marketing is selling a product that people are buying. Bivens had the right idea, but it was poorly executed and sold. If some 65 YO CEO wanted to chat it up with Grace Park for example, he could. She speaks English. If someone else had one of the the other Korean golfers who couldn't speak a lick of English, that makes for a long Pro-Am knowing you cannot communicate with your pro and she's just there to practice and ignore you and flash a smile every now and then. Would you want to give up $10,000 the next time to know you could have this happen to you again? And we're not talking fluency. Conversational English is not a stretch to learn.

Someone also brought up MLB or something else. They generate millions in revenue DAILY. They do not have the concerns that the LPGA does. That's comparing apples and oranges. A bunch of folks are now from the Dominican Republic and eventually, they all learn to speak SOME English, not only for longevity, but communication with their teammates and coaches. It's a team sport, more than just you and your caddy.

I have no problem with them playing, but the product needs an overhaul to make it more pleasing not only to the spectators, but to the sponsors. The new commish will have her hands full bringing these companies back and repairing the relationships that were damaged or destroyed.

[psd]

Politically incorrect or not, and I can only speak for myself, but I think Jan Stephenson was spot on. Zero name recognition makes for confusing leaderboards and therefore sinking interest from me. Just being honest but I want to feel like I've got something "invested" in the outcome of a tournament. Right now I don't. Spotty, inconsistent TV coverage hurts a ton, too.

[woohoo4me]

jlam1127, on Jul 14 2009, 10:12 AM, said:

The players are independent contractors and aren't bind to the LPGA. They can speak whatever language they want as long as they are playing well and being respectful. If language is that important to you, then tell half of the MLB that they need to speak english before they pick up the bat here. Same concept. If the LPGA players have an issue with fear of losing sponsors here in the US, then they need to play better and be more competitive than the Koreans, then we wouldnt have this problem.

By the way, America doesn't have an official language.

Nope. The LPGA (and other tours for that matter), generate huge dollars (for charity mostly) via pro-ams......where regular joes play with the pros. Walking along side them for 5 hours.

When's the last time you got the chance to take batting practice with Big Papi......or warm up catch for King Felix?? Or hit balls with any (pick one) of the Russian tennis gals playing pro tennis?

The personal and communicative connection is much more important in golf than it is in other sports. And as we know how guys like to "chat up" gals.....extremely important for the LPGA.

Just my thoughts,

Woo

[bscinstnct]

The days of sky high share prices lulling stockholders into a daze while the CEO spends their money to flirt with Natalie Gulbis
are over. Now American CEOs are worried about being told to fly coach.

This model is probably broken.

Diversify, reach out to global sponsors more aggresively, have Paula Creamer learn Korean and get those CEOs to sponsor events. Have a new team event. USA vs. Korea. The "Brawl in Seoul"!

[NEVA3PUTT]

ENGLISH IS NOT THE OFFICIAL LANGUAGE WE DON.T HAVE ONE IN THIS COUNTRY

[NEVA3PUTT]

LET ME GET THIS RIGHT A WHOLE TOUR WILL BE LOST OVER A 1 DAY PRO AM JUST BECAUSE
SOME CEO CAN'T COMMUNCATE WITH A FOREIGN PLAYER . I THOUGHT SPONSORSHIP WAS
BASED ON REVENUE.DO YOU THINK AN AMERICAN COMPANY WOULDN'T DO ANY BUSINESS
WITH FOREIGN COMPANY IF THEY DIDN'T SPEAK ENGLISH