Legislating Entertainment

Things are not at all like the LPGA would want them to be. Getting more press for what goes on off the course than on is not a good sign for the world's most recognized ladies professional golf tour.

Yesterday, LPGA Commissioner Carolyn Bivens announced a new policy requiring her tour players speak "conversational" English, or else face suspension. If ever the sport of golf wished it had a mulligan, it would be now.

The issue is simple, should a professional sports organization have the right to legislate a requirement for its members to speak a certain language? The LPGA feels the sponsors deserve to have the players speak English- that it would help keep their installed base and help grow more interest from corporate America. But isn't the requirement to get on the LPGA based on skill not language? Or should they just hand out tour cards to those who speak perfect English? Or better yet, why not just give cards to those they feel are the prettiest- certainly that would entertain the sponsors. After all, sex sells in America.

I'm close to this issue. I walk down the range each morning at our academy training facility watching closely as our young men and women work hard to pursue their dreams. We educate our students, who come from all over the world, at our private school. Those challenged with English take ESL classes (English as a Second Language) so they can assimilate into our educational system. They choose to do this to get the training only Hank Haney can provide. School is part of the deal. But to suggest that someone must speak conversational English when it has nothing to do with their skill is very short-sighted.

Fans want to see talent. Great play trumps language. The drama of athletic competition is based on the human spirit, not what country they're from or what language they speak. Did we cheer less for the Olympic champion who couldn't speak English or marvel less at their accomplishment?

I realize the LPGA has a challenge marketing foreign players with similar sounding foreign names and little personality. But do we really feel being able to say, "how are you," "nice shot," and "you're away," will drive interest and ratings to significant new heights? I differ in that opinion. The challenges the LPGA faces are greater than that and their focus should be on solving those issues instead of getting their players to say "thank you" in English.

Interestingly, the LPGA conducts quite a few "away games"- tournaments outside the USA. Should we require English speaking players to speak conversational Spanish when playing in Mexico? Or how about French at the Evian Masters?

I'm glad our foreign students at the academy are learning English. It's one less hurdle they have to cross when pursuing their goals. They can focus on their golf and let the powers to be find the time to come up with legislation that makes no sense in the world game.

Let's hope in the coming weeks the folly of this position will be corrected and we can return our attention to skill, talent and sportsmanship- the universal language of athletic competition.

That's my view on the game.

Mark Gonsalves
CEO
Hank Haney IJGA