This rule went against the basic spirit of golf. I think that many people don’t understand why this was unfair and specifically directed at Korean golfers. I think the LPGA still does not get it, as it is still trying to explain that it was a way of encouraging non-English speaking pro’s to increase their marketability.
Category Archives: golf news
Post from the West Coast on LPGA’s English Only Policy
Life is so good in America!
Mike,
I am at present quite disappointed with the LPGA. While a part of me
senses the awkwardness surrounding the communication efforts of that
large group of Korean golfers on the LPGA, sports has often been at the
forefront of meritocracy–breaking racial and gender barriers to
recognize superlative achievement and entertainment potential. This is
obviously a step in the wrong direction, with an attempt to make the
LPGA a more attractive product to sponsors by trying to have the tour
players look the way that management thinks would be most appealing. The
irony of course is that the fastest growing segments of players, viewers
and sponsors are all Asian, and the LPGA needs this infusion more than
the other way around. The Korean players will likely ace their English
tests (Koreans and test taking?), and the LPGA will be fresh out of
excuses, but the ugliness will be out there. I’m proud of the
graciousness with which many of the players of Korean descent have
handled inquiries concerning their views on this matter, but I’m
sickened by the whole thing.
Hope all’s well with you and yours. We should get a crew together and
head to Scotland or some other golfing destination.
Sam
Grass is growing
The new grass is establishing itself on Wakonda’s fairways and greens. Parts of it look like it would be ready for golf. The plan is to get the roots winter-proof and it looks good. Awaiting progress report from J. Temme. The soil patch on the left bottom of this picture is the practice green which is getting redone -it will be larger and have more interesting topography. I’ve decided to reel in the play and practice my putting more as I am striking the ball pretty well.
Pictured left is Wakonda Club#8. The grass is growing in on the fairways and on the green. My hope is for that perfect greeny golf sanctuary come May. Can’t wait.
World Golf Tour -time sink
For people who are house bound during the winter or stuck in an office, you can try putting on the carpet or read about golf, or watch it on television. I prefer to play golf on the computer. My video game of choice is Tiger Woods (review later), but when I am traveling and have internet access, I enjoy World Golf Tour. It has been in permanent beta for over a year, but the quality of its demo, its playability and portability make
it a quick golf fix on the run bar none. Instead of creating a virtual 3D world, they simplify the golf experience by scanning the course into a series of files and flying the golf ball via Flash animation. The game in demo is all about timing and correcting for wind and roll. There was rumbling that it was going to go to a full golf simulation with a “green fee” model, and I would gladly pay, as it really is better than Tiger Woods golf in many ways. Check it out, link below:
Golf prolongs life
Karolinska Institute found in a study based on 300,000 golfing Swedes, that golfers had a 40% lower mortality than non-golfers of similar age. The advantage improves with handicap! Another reason to swing the club.
Tiger’s win and my brain chemistry -too much of a good thing
You always hear people talking about great sporting events they witnessed on TV. I remember Reggie Jackson’s 3 home runs in the 1977 World Series, 1980 miracle on ice Olympics Hockey final, Nicklaus’ 1986 Masters victory, and Tiger’s 1997 Master’s, and last year’s Super Bowl. In fact, Tiger leads the list of things that have inspired me -his Pebble Beach Open, his first tournament win, his Hoylake win, and on and on. The funny thing is that I have become a bit numb to Tiger’s otherworldly greatness. Maybe it is because I am in medicine and can understand his pain and pathology.
Bottom line is that we’ve seen Tiger do it too many times. It’s like having a regular table at the best restaurant in Manhattan -the extraordinary when it is too frequent, becomes ordinary. Tiger will now have to shoot consistently below 60 per round to impress me. Rocco, now that is impressive. That he could keep pace with a phenomena like Tiger is something that he’ll keep forever, but losing will stand out most in his mind, because he had too many chances to close it out. Even so, how could he?
You are the One, Neo
I just saw Tiger’s performance on prime time. He is injured, grimacing in pain with each stroke. Despite this, he makes eagle on 13, chips in for birdie on 17, and then eagles 18. We saw history, particularly if Tiger wins the Open and then retires because of a bum knee. This was like watching a Rocky movie, only without Tiger bellowing “Elin!!!” Maybe tomorrow…
Virtual fairways in the R.O.K.
In South Korea, there are too many golfers and not enough golf courses. A NY Times article (link here) shows the lengths that people are taking to get swing time. The vitual reality simulators are reportedly in high definition, which is generations beyond what I have seen in my town. Their surfaces tilt to the terrain of the course. There are birds and blades of grass. I saw a simulator at a PGA store in the Detroit airport, and the graphics were primitive compared to playing Tiger Woods 2008 on my Mac.
I think what the article missed is how Koreans get into fads and how they love all things high tech. They have professional video game leagues which are televised and the top pro’s have rock star status. A top Warcraft pro makes 6 to 7 figures.
Also, they are fanatical about golf. Most of them will take lessons and practice at a range (usually a lot with a high net visible for blocks around) until their form is perfect. I saw a fellow hitting perfect three irons off the range and when I chatted, he told me he had yet to play “on the field.” The usual reason is limited access to golf courses and unusually high costs.
A golf outing in Korea involves someone who knows someone who can get a tee time at one of the publicly accessible courses. You have to show up with a foursome. There are no carts -they have crews of uniformed female caddies who size you up from the first tee and basically find the ball nearly all the time, and hand you the right club -no discussion. Rounds take about 5 hours and you end up at the clubhouse where you then take a schvitz in the sauna, hot tub, get a spa rub down, and then go and have a heavy meal with drinks. This all costs around 300 to 1000 per person.
Here in the US, I can get on a course without calling ahead and basically have the course to myself, I am happy but also a bit distressed in that golf courses should be a little more crowded, and the players a bit younger.
Wie back!
Michelle Wie is working towards a come back. I thought she was overpressured by her folks and the media and above all herself. I can understand that. It would be great to have her back in play.
Golfism -life is a metaphor for golf 