LPGA to Require English For International Players

[The Coach]

here's where it gets interesting.

Let's pretend that 50% of viewers are serious golfers, and 50% are casual golfers or fans.

The 50% who are watching for mechanics and to learn - you're going to watch no matter what, right?  You're not exactly going to move to S. Korea to watch the game.  You'll watch the best players available on your TV.  They don't lose you as a viewer by kicking out the wave of foreigners.

The 50% who just watch to identify with sports heroes, learn a bit, waste a little time, follow the standings - they'll actually GROW in numbers/viwer retention when they see pretty smiling americans on the screen, as opposed to unfamiliar foreigners.


it's all marketing decision based on viewer retention.  The serious 50% aren't going anywhere.  But the casual 50% might just get bored when they can't tell the golfer apart by name or face.

And those would be the people who could care less if they are Korean or not.

[kcballer]

NBA and NFL are working like crazy to become international games.

From what I can see, and what the analysts are saying on ESPN, the LPGA is trying to stay in USA, and NOT expand.


And is it *really* the best product on the field?   They kick out talented players with behaviour problems all the time.  This means it's more about best *image* on the field.

come on man they kick out players whom aren't stars for the leagues public image.  

Look at steve smith's fight at training camp for example.  if that was a punk second teamer you can bet for damn sure he wouldn't be in the league anymore.

NBA example - ron artest this is a guy who got in a fight with fans.  they people watching and paying for the product.  yet the guy can ball so he gets second, third, forth etc chances.

In pro sports the only people who get punished are those who aren't good enough to be missed.

[240 is Back]

I'm not saying it's right.  It's some serious prejudice.

I'm saying that the sponsors and event organizers and TV people decided they'll make MORE MONEY with MORE AMERICANS in the top 10.  It's that simple.

If they wouldn't, they certainly wouldn't be doing this.  They probably fear that in 5 years, 95% of the top golfers in this American sport, on American TV, won't be American.  Hard to sell that to sponsors.

Whatever the reason, they did their reseach, and believe it'll be more profitable without the S. Koreans.

[kcballer]

I'm not saying it's right.  It's some serious prejudice.

I'm saying that the sponsors and event organizers and TV people decided they'll make MORE MONEY with MORE AMERICANS in the top 10.  It's that simple.

If they wouldn't, they certainly wouldn't be doing this.  They probably fear that in 5 years, 95% of the top golfers in this American sport, on American TV, won't be American.  Hard to sell that to sponsors.

Whatever the reason, they did their reseach, and believe it'll be more profitable without the S. Koreans.

and i'm saying it's not going to happen because it's illegal like i said before America doesn't have an official language so how can you choose English? because it is the majority right now? and if that's the case how about when spanish becomes the majority language does every player then need to speak spanish?

[Moosejay]

Exactly and you know the first thing that's going to come up? Why English? America doesn't even have an 'official' language so what exactly is their basis for choosing it? Majority of speakers? If that's the case in 15 years Spanish will be the language they will all have to speak right?

BC it is taught as a second language in almost every country in the world

[240 is Back]

and i'm saying it's not going to happen because it's illegal like i said before America doesn't have an official language so how can you choose English? because it is the majority right now? and if that's the case how about when spanish becomes the majority language does every player then need to speak spanish?

I can't get a job in the USA as a teacher, cop, or doctor without knowing English.  I can't get hired at Mcdonalds without the ability to take orders in English.

Those governing bodies determine who works for them, and who does not.   The ability to speak english is a skill that is required.


Already- the LPGA contract stipulates all sorts of things, right?  What you can/cannot wear, what you must do at events, etc.  Can they add that in addition to these things, you must speak English?  I think it's well within their right as a professional organization.

[Moosejay]

I'm not saying it's right.  It's some serious prejudice.

I'm saying that the sponsors and event organizers and TV people decided they'll make MORE MONEY with MORE AMERICANS in the top 10.  It's that simple.

If they wouldn't, they certainly wouldn't be doing this.  They probably fear that in 5 years, 95% of the top golfers in this American sport, on American TV, won't be American.  Hard to sell that to sponsors.

Whatever the reason, they did their reseach, and believe it'll be more profitable without the S. Koreans.

Simply and unfortunately correct

[The Coach]

Are the koreans that much better than their american counterparts? (i don't watch)

Exept for a few Americans and Lorena Ochoa, I would have to say yes. Here's an example. We have a PGA instructor at my golf course who was Tigers instructor from the time he was a kid until he went to Stanford, his name is John Anselmo, he's 84 now. Right now, he has a 14 year old korean kid from around Albany, NY whos father flys his son from NY to Huntington Beach almost every weekend for the whole weekend just to get instruction from John, this kid at 9 years old was already driving the 230 years and broke par on our course at the age of 11. My point is Korean take golf very seriously and generally start younger than we start our kids, my kid started at 5 and is no where near the skill of this kid and my kid shoots mid 80's to low 90's. Both me and son just watch this kid and shake our heads.....it's rediculous.

[kcballer]

BC it is taught as a second language in almost every country in the world

bullsh*t Mandarin, Hindi and Spanish are ALL spoken in more native countries than english so the 'second language' BS doesn't cut it.  

[The Coach]

I can't get a job in the USA as a teacher, cop, or doctor without knowing English.  I can't get hired at Mcdonalds without the ability to take orders in English.

Those governing bodies determine who works for them, and who does not.   The ability to speak english is a skill that is required.


Already- the LPGA contract stipulates all sorts of things, right?  What you can/cannot wear, what you must do at events, etc.  Can they add that in addition to these things, you must speak English?  I think it's well within their right as a professional organization.

I don't think so otherwise they wouldn't be playing. If you ever watch an event, you cannot break even ONE rule.

[kcballer]

there is no way they would have signed something clearly stating 'you must speak fluent english when we decide you've won too often'

[240 is Back]

I don't think so otherwise they wouldn't be playing. If you ever watch an event, you cannot break even ONE rule.

So the players agree to a shitload of rules. 

The LPGA has a right to create these rules.

Many companies in the USA require english skills to work there.  Joe, when you hire a PT to work under you, you wouldn't hire someone who spoke no english, would you?

[Moosejay]

So the players agree to a shitload of rules. 

The LPGA has a right to create these rules.

Many companies in the USA require english skills to work there.  Joe, when you hire a PT to work under you, you wouldn't hire someone who spoke no english, would you?

I have a few Russian patients who speak Russian in front of me to each other at length.

My office policy now is to keep them separated.

They seem to me very shifted and not forthright.

[kcballer]

So the players agree to a shitload of rules. 

The LPGA has a right to create these rules.

Many companies in the USA require english skills to work there.  Joe, when you hire a PT to work under you, you wouldn't hire someone who spoke no english, would you?

If English was such a required skill why do some many illegals work at mcd's, walmart etc? fact is they don't 'speak' english they say things like 'big mac' fries super size etc but they don't speak english don' kid yourself here.  it's a BS racist rule they won't hold up to a legal challenge.

[kcballer]

I have a few Russian patients who speak Russian in front of me to each other at length.

My office policy now is to keep them separated.

They seem to me very shifted and not forthright.

and THAT is why you are seen as a xenophobic racist.  I guess the only thing worse is if they are black russians right?

[The Coach]

So the players agree to a shitload of rules.   The LPGA has a right to create these rules.

Many companies in the USA require english skills to work there.  Joe, when you hire a PT to work under you, you wouldn't hire someone who spoke no english, would you?

If you look at the USGA rule book, all of the rules of tournament play are strict unless there is an on course ruling by an official and even they don't let anything "slide" unless the it's in the rule book. I have only played in two tournaments but have studied the rule book pretty extensively. Take a look. I carry this rule book in my bag.


http://www.usga.org/playing/rules/books/rules.html

[CalvinH]

Guy's wanna see Natalie Gulbis and other cute chicks in short skirts.if they look hot who cares what language they speak!


...hope this helps.

[Moosejay]

and THAT is why you are seen as a xenophobic racist.  I guess the only thing worse is if they are black russians right?

No.

I am protecting my rights.

Something you likely do not have in your backwards country.

Whomever I am "Seen " by, well, they are not likely worth my salt.

MJ Approved

[kcballer]

No.

I am protecting my rights.

Something you likely do not have in your backwards country.

Whomever I am "Seen " by, well, they are not likely worth my salt.

MJ Approved

Your rights of what? Haha backwards country coming from an american is hilarious!

[boonstack]

Would the KOREANS EVER do "anything" good for americans? FUCK NO

Why does AMERICA always have to be the one to "be good". Fuck them

[The Coach]

Guy's wanna see Natalie Gulbis and other cute chicks in short skirts.if they look hot who cares what language they speak!


...hope this helps.

 

[boonstack]

Your rights of what? Haha backwards country coming from an american is hilarious!

apparently you have never been here. 

[CalvinH]

 

Sometimes ya gotta call a spade a spade

[kcballer]

apparently you have never been here. 

oh many times 'boonstack' and i hate to burst your bubble but it's not the greatest country in the world. It's far from it.

[Michaeloz]

English is now widely excepted world wide as the lanuage of business. If the players were expected to know English for business purposes then the idea has some merit. Could you ever imagine any Americian court upholding this ruling though?

Moose if you feel uncormfortable have two people converse in their native tongue in front of you then you must be very insecure, seeing as they have choosen you to be their chiro.