South Koreans (and others) must learn
to speak English, say LPGA Tour

It had to come. Some way of checking the mounting numbers of South Koreans playing on the LPGA Tour.
Beginning next year, all players who have been on the LPGA Tour for two years must pass an oral evaluation of their ability to converse in the English language.
At a mandatory meeting during the Safeway Classic last week, LPGA officials informed its largest international contingent that failure to pass the language test would result in suspended membership, i.e. the player would not be able to play in LPGA tournaments.
Libba Galloway, the tour’s deputy commissioner, said the new language policy takes effect immediately, but the “measurement time will be at the end of 2009.”
There are 121 international players from 26 countries on the LPGA Tour. Some 45 of them are South Koreans.
Hilary Lunke, president of the Player Executive Committee, said much of this initiative stems from the importance of being able to entertain pro-am partners. Players already are fined if the LPGA receives complaints from their pro-am partners about their inability to converse in English.
Players who obtain tour status at Qualifying School later this year will have two years to meet the English requirements.
Galloway said an impression had to be made that communicating effectively in English is fundamental to the tour’s business.
South Korean Seon-Hwa Lee, a winner twice this year, said she believes everyone should be able to do a simple media interview. She works with an English tutor in the winter and plans to brush up for the evaluation.
Kate Peters, executive director of the LPGA State Farm Classic, supported the news. “This is an American tour. It is important for sponsors to be able to interact with players and have a positive experience.”
The tour will rely on its communication staff to help identify players who need to be evaluated. International players who already demonstrate English proficiency will not be approached.
Players must be able to conduct interviews and give acceptance speeches without the help of a translator.
A large number of South Koreans play the US Duramed Futures Tour which is now officially part of the LPGA set-up. Expect the "speak-English-please" dictat to apply to it as well.