“Speak English!” says LPGA

A recent article in the New York Times explained that members of the LPGA must speak English in order to play. Interesting move, considering most of its athletes are foreign-born. Apparently, the concern is over appeal to sponsors.

“Being a U.S.-based tour, and with the majority of our fan base, pro-am contestants, sponsors and participants being English speaking, we think it is important for our players to effectively communicate in English,” says Libba Galloway, the deputy commissioner of the tour, the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA).

On the surface, I think this move is similar to that of Geno’s steaks in South Philadelphia, which sports a sign that says, “This is America. We speak English!” (Genos was later unsuccessfully sued for that sign).

This is not exactly the type of PR the LPGA needs right now internationally. But hey, anything to keep those sponsors happy, right? There has to be a line somewhere…