As with most issues, there are two sides to the story involving the LPGA’s threat to suspend golfers who don’t brush up on their English skills.
Many of the biggest stars in ladies golf come from countries other than the United States. But the tour conducts most of its business on American soil and it wouldn’t be a bad idea for an international player to be able to grab a microphone and say “I’d like to thank Acme Lugnuts for sponsoring this weekend’s tournament.”
Everyone has experienced the frustration of being involved in a conversation that doesn’t get anywhere because of a language barrier. With that in mind, is it really that unfair for an employer to expect their workers to have the necessary verbal skills to accomplish tasks in the environment where most of their business is taking place?
On the other hand, the LPGA’s approach has definitely been heavy-handed. Rather than threatening its players, the tour should be encouraging them to develop their English in a fun and safe environment. For instance, you could make English lessons a part of a few tour stops and invite American players, corporate reps and media members to assist with the language program.
And one more suggestion.
Based on the $40 billion that was spent on the Beijing Olympics, and considering that the LPGA is staging their first ever tournament on Chinese soil in October, it wouldn’t be a bad idea for some of the American ladies to brush-up on their Mandarin.