As the LPGA language policy is continuing on without a lawsuit, it sure was nice for the top women's golfer on the planet to let us know her feelings.
Soft spoken and Mexico native Lorena Ochoa said today at a charity event in her hometown of Guadalajara that forcing golfers to learn a foreign language might be a little over the top.
Wow, pretty interesting that Ochoa, the number one golfer in the world, and I, not the number one golfer in the world, share the exact same view on the situation. I spoke with Ochoa back in 2003 when she came back to the University of Arizona to accept her Pac-10 Championship ring and just five years ago her English was spotty at best. Now, obviously immersed in the language, her English is nearly flawless. The problem is, if this rule was enacted back in her days, one of the most herald amateurs might have been pushed aside until she could properly pronounce "putting."(Ochoa) was asked if she thought the new policy discriminated against international players.
"That is a a very strong word. I wouldn't want to use it," said Ochoa, who speaks English. "But I do think it is a little drastic."
I think we are all waiting for more to come out about this, including (hopefully) a little more leniency with the first offense. Forcing a professional athlete to quit what she is doing because she's in a foreign land succeeding at the highest level is short-sighted. Maybe this could work if the penalty wasn't so severe, but as of now, it just doesn't seem to be very well thought out.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
9-04-2008 @ 3:31AM
Louis said...
I believe, as a natural USn citizen, that this rule is absurd at it's best. This is the LPGA ... no mention of English, or Asian, or Russian, or Mexican, or any other nationality. Maybe a better rule would be that the US players should practice harder, and rise to the standard of the many great and talented foreign players that are now dominating the LPGA. Could this be a sign of the work ethic in this country. C'mon ... require the foreign players to have a fluent translator, but let them play golf without the undue - and unacceptable - stress of this blatanly amateurish attitude over their head. The rules makers of the LPGA ... shame on you. Sounds to me like you're trying to force the dominant foreign players off this tour. How short-sighted, bigoted and stupid can you all be? If you enforce the rule, and these players leave the tour ... I, for one, will stop supporting your tour.
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9-04-2008 @ 1:03PM
rogerdseward said...
Louis: Amen, and I garuntee all these gals are working on English anyway. When you can double or triple a 7 figure income, by speaking English for endorsement contracts, now that's incentive.
9-04-2008 @ 8:57AM
danny said...
HEY LORENA ... SHUT UP AND PLAY ... ANOTHER UNGRATEFUL IMMIGRANT
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9-04-2008 @ 11:49AM
sharon said...
Another ungrateful immigrant who takes our money and wants to change the rules of this country!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1111
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9-04-2008 @ 2:35PM
Stephen Hines said...
So when the LPA plays later this year in Korea, do all Koreans involved have to speak english? The LPGA plays 4 events outside of the U.S. 5 if you count the Women's British Open. All that should matter is how well the players can play golf, not speak English. If someone from another tour who qualifies, or wins an qualifying tournement, or gets into an Open, going to be turned away because they are from another country who's language is not English? Can you say Lawsuit? ACLU to the rescue.
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9-04-2008 @ 3:12PM
mrmnc said...
Spoken like a true foreginer. If they don't like it go back to where you came from. English ONLY in this country. Jerks
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9-07-2008 @ 6:29PM
EddyRapcon said...
During my tour in the military I had the opportunity to play golf in numerous foreign countries. My favorite was Argentina. No one spoke any English. Fortunately, I had taken French and Italian in high school. The ruling was unfair. However, if you play in foreign countriea yuo had better be able to read and speak some of the language. Chow baby.........ER
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