Can we be far from a new announcement on the revised policy now? As if waiting for the ‘09 schedule announcement weren’t bad enough….

brilliant. Yes – those horrible fathers – they force their daughters into a life of servitude and deference to men. All they are good for is to serve men and to give birth to at least one man-child….

…what ? they aren’t barefoot and pregnant ? They are making millions of dollars winning on the LPGA Tour ?

…What ? They are good people and live honest, honorable lives and are successful in their careers away from Korea ??

Yeah – those fathers are just a horrible bunch of people.

Yes – it will help their careers and the tour if they learn to speak a bit more English – but “emancipating” them from their fathers ? Puh-lease.

…reporters and Tour commissioners get to play amateur psychologists. Hopefully they both stayed at Holiday Inn Express last night.

The Tour has no business helping players get better in their English Language skills ???

The LPGA Tour has to fight for every dollar it gets – and if sponsors and media say that they would be better served if the players could speak English – then it is the tour’s job to get that word out and do whatever it takes to help these women get better at speaking English – especially those in the top 30 on the money list – the ones who are most likely to have high finishes and wins.

I used to work at a golf shop that was owned by a Korean family. At the shop, they never allowed a non-Korean to work at a cash register. Rule #1 from the owner was “never trust the round eye.” Away from business, he was a very fascinating person to talk to – he knew how to socialize and be sociable – he taught his sons and daughter how these things work – but he knew how to separate the business of business with the social graces in business.

Again – define the “cultural barrier”. It has no meaning without specifics. It sounds important – but it means nothing on its own.

here we go again – you lost this debate once before…. :-D

The English proficiency was not for management of their lives. Where did you get that ? The English proficiency requirement was for sponsors and media relations.

Now it WOULD have a positive affect on their ability to function in English speaking society in general – but that is a side effect.

Where did you get this “golf dad” thing ? From that lame accusative piece from Karen Crouse ? If these women were “totally dependent on Dad” – which is CLEARLY not the case since their families, for the most part, are back in Korea. When was the last time you saw a Korean father on a bag ? Hmmm – Michelle Wie maybe ?

The last Korean parent I saw on a bag was Vicki Hurst’s MOTHER – who carried for her this year on the Duramed Tour because she was only 17 for most of the season.

Bivens makes you go “huh” sometimes – where does she get this crap ? I know it’s t ypical feminist tripe – but come on. The language is a part of control by the fathers ?? Is she insane ? It’s really getting harder and harder to stand up for the Biv if she insists on saying stupid things like this. (of course – Crouse isn’t much better if she goes along with the statement instead of disagreeing)

Hey Biv – if these fathers were as bad as you like to make out – why are they (the daughters) over here making a good living for THEMSELVES instead of being at home washing papa’s socks and cooking his rice ? In case you hadn’t noticed, most of these women come over here with at least a LITTLE bit of English. If daddy is in such strict control – how did that happen ?

Korea is a highly patriarchal society in their traditions – but they are also highly westernized and industrialized. This is NOT a country of families walking behind water buffalo in the rice fields. (seriously – turn off the MASH reruns)

Tying the AJGA with the LPGA is a mistake. JUNIORS have to have supervision. Sometimes it is a parent – sometimes it is a coach….etc. Like I said before – tell me the last time you’ve seen a Korean father carrying the bag or coaching one of these LPGA players. The last one is BJ Wie when lil’ Michelle was 15. When she turned pro, she started hiring (and firing) caddies.

Ok – let’s take up a collection to get The Biv a dictionary so she can learn the definition of words like “COMPLETE”. If these women were COMPLETELY dependant on their fathers – they wouldn’t be able to function away from the family.

Oh – I have no problem with the Safeway’s Korean Pro-Am. There is a high concentration of Asians and Asian businesses up in that area. Having that pro-am is more like a family outing than anything. If it was every week – there might be a problem – but one time a year ? Please.

1 and 2 I’ll go along with – but the age thing makes no sense. The line is not age – it is professional vs amateur. The amateur kids are expected to have some form of supervision. Professionals are expected to behave as such and part of that (most of the time) is when the parents step out of the action. They still come out to watch their little darlings, but they aren’t as involved in what’s going on.

Don’t forget about #4 – Bill Jempty puts out some mighty fine sarcasm. :-)

…what the rank and file membership of the LPGA thinks of these embarrassing results from statements made by their commissioner ?

With people like Crouse, Ferguson, and Baldry roaming the halls of the media who have proven that they are willing to take individual sentences, phases, and even words, and writing the worst possible meanings into them, it seems like Bivens almost needs a review board to approve of anything she says before it goes public.

He was once described as saying less with fewer words than anyone in history.

On the one hand, some argue that Korean culture is pretty patriarchal and emphasizes Confucianism than in other East Asian countries. On the other hand, some argue that Korean women’s reputation in Asia (more assertive, outspoken, fiery, etc. than other East Asian women) ought to be taken into account. Such cultural generalizations can be useful to a point, but it comes down to individual differences among the players themselves. I’m glad Crouse decided to profile a few players and observe the tour for a couple of weeks—it’s a step above the “car-window sociology” Du Bois criticized in The Souls of Black Folk

a century ago (you’ve read hi stuff on Atlanta, right, CG?)—but if there were regulars following the LPGA week in and week out in the media, we’d see a lot more individualizing of Korean and other international players. Just think if one reporter were to profile one player per event.

As for the LPGA, they need to get better, too, at emphasizing the global youth movement in women’s golf and promoting a wider array of players. I just included 49 golfers in my latest Best of the LPGA ranking. It’s a major accomplishment these days to be a top 50 player on the best tour in the world of women’s golf—and it’s going to become even more of one in the coming years, as more and more fearless young players join the LPGA. The LPGA needs to keep their eye on the ball!

never heard of it.

W.E.B DuBois was “car window sociology” ??? Where did you get that from ?

He was writing about stereotypes about African Americans in the rural areas outside Atlanta. Criticizing the car-window sociologists who propagated them….

…yes…see that shiny spot behind 18 ? bring to me !!