NAKASEC statement on LPGA English-only policy

New English-Only Policy Seeks To Suspend Members

Statement of
EunSook Lee, Executive Director
National Korean American Service & Education Consortium (NAKASEC)

NAKASEC strongly opposes the new policy by the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) to suspend players if they fail an oral English language proficient exam. Events like the Olympics remind us that sports are about building unifying bridges and celebrating excellence of the human spirit. Clearly, the LPGA fails to realize that broadening the talent pool to welcome international players is in the best interest of the Association. This policy is discriminatory, particularly against South Korean players who are significantly represented within the LPGA membership. We are also concerned that the new policy may violate state law. The LPGA’s English-Only is a great step backwards in the advancement of golf and we urge the Association to rescind their new policy.