quote:

Originally posted by exstasie I completely understand what DJ Robben and you are saying and makes sense about the sponsorship... but how can you not say that its a step back? Not allowing someone to play because of the language they speak? Isn't that considered a form of discrimination? Personally, I think they will lose more in the long run by not allowing the superior athletes to play just because they don't speak english. These international players help create the hype of certain sports! Look what Yao Ming did for basketball for Asians

From my understanding...they are not saying you cannot compete on the LPGA tour if you don't speak english...what they are saying is anyone who has been on the tour for two years must pass an english test (which I am sure will be pretty basic). If they cannot pass the test then they face suspension.....which will probably be until they pass the test.

When it comes right down to it....the LPGA needs to make money and the lack of english speaking, top ranked players is a problem.

The sponsors pay big bucks for these events and they expect that the players can help in the marketing...which they can't do if they don't speak the language.

People also pay big bucks to be able to play in the pro-am events at the beginning of each week and I know I would be pissed if I spent thousands of dollars to play with a pro and they didn't say a word to me for an entire round because they couldn't speak English.

quote:

Originally posted by ChemEnhanced People also pay big bucks to be able to play in the pro-am events at the beginning of each week and I know I would be pissed if I spent thousands of dollars to play with a pro and they didn't say a word to me for an entire round because they couldn't speak English.

That begs the question: why would you pay to play with them in the first place?

quote:

Originally posted by Orko That begs the question: why would you pay to play with them in the first place?

I wouldn't but many corporations and individuals do....and don't know that they don't speak english.

quote:

Originally posted by ChemEnhanced hopefully...maybe then somebody would actually watch the LPGA events. Reality is....LPGA golf is crap.....its almost as bad as the WNBA. The only people that care about the LPGA are the players and the sponsors.

It's no wonder. Do you think female professional athletes have equal access to top training, top funding, etc? I doubt it.

The language thing is retarded. I don't see the Olympics requiring an english test and that's got more sponsorship involved than any other sporting event in the world.

quote:

Originally posted by Skipper It's no wonder. Do you think female professional athletes have equal access to top training, top funding, etc? I doubt it.

That is not as much of an issue in golf as it in other sports. Since this is an individual sport, it is up to the player to create their own supporting team, and their own training. It really goes down to the family and how much support they can throw behind their kid, since most start out in ameture golf clubs and tourneys.

If this was a team sport like baseball, basketball, or football I would agree with your right away, but not in golf. Look at female tennis players, they are doing just fine creating their own support structures. And some would argue that female tennis is more fun to watch, and not because they are hot.

We do the exact same in Canada, why can't the US?

its ridiculous that its not really rediculous

quote:

Originally posted by Skipper It's no wonder. Do you think female professional athletes have equal access to top training, top funding, etc? I doubt it. The language thing is retarded. I don't see the Olympics requiring an english test and that's got more sponsorship involved than any other sporting event in the world.

I've watched LPGA Events and have caddied in LPGA events and the golf is crap in comparison to the PGA. If I'm going to sit around on a saturday afternoon and watch golf...I am going to choose PGA, Senior PGA and then LPGA. If that is the typical golfers list as to what golf they are going to watch then as a sponsor which event are you going to throw your money at?

The LPGA is getting better at trying to capture the female golfer audience....they are doing this by getting more female friendly sponsors. The problem is they have very few golfers to put out there and help market the game and the sponsors. To have a south Korean Golfer trying to do a television commercial for a major sponsor without saying a word isn't going to help get more sponsors.

Also, what about young girls that golf....who do they have to look up to....Michelle Wie???? a woman golfer who hasn't won a single tournament and is too busy trying to play with the big boys. If they don't have someone to look up to then they will loose interest in the sport.

As for the Olympics...yes they do have lots of advertisers but all advertise to various local markets....you don't see a Russian weight lifter advertising for Coca Cola in Canada....he advertises in Russia. The LPGA is a north american tour....with the majority of events being in the USA.

The LPGA is finally starting to get away from the stereotype that if you were a golfer you were gay.....as much as I hate to say it...the LPGA needs to use more sex appeal if they want to get a larger male audience.

quote:

Originally posted by ChemEnhanced I've watched LPGA Events and have caddied in LPGA events and the golf is crap in comparison to the PGA. If I'm going to sit around on a saturday afternoon and watch golf...I am going to choose PGA, Senior PGA and then LPGA. If that is the typical golfers list as to what golf they are going to watch then as a sponsor which event are you going to throw your money at? The LPGA is getting better at trying to capture the female golfer audience....they are doing this by getting more female friendly sponsors. The problem is they have very few golfers to put out there and help market the game and the sponsors. To have a south Korean Golfer trying to do a television commercial for a major sponsor without saying a word isn't going to help get more sponsors. Also, what about young girls that golf....who do they have to look up to....Michelle Wie???? a woman golfer who hasn't won a single tournament and is too busy trying to play with the big boys. If they don't have someone to look up to then they will loose interest in the sport.

You missed my point. I didn't disagree that it was boring to watch or that the women were inferior golfers. I said it's not any wonder because I doubt female golfers have the same sort of opportunities that the men do.

And as for Michelle Wie, I'm confused as to why you make it to be a negative that she's "trying to play with the big boys." Whatever this entails, that's a far better role model than some broad who is content to compare herself only to other women.

quote:

Originally posted by Skipper You missed my point. I didn't disagree that it was boring to watch or that the women were inferior golfers. I said it's not any wonder because I doubt female golfers have the same sort of opportunities that the men do. And as for Michelle Wie, I'm confused as to why you make it to be a negative that she's "trying to play with the big boys." Whatever this entails, that's a far better role model than some broad who is content to compare herself only to other women.

u missed his point as well..

funding comes from sponsorship via player endorsements. Why would a company invest millions advertising their product through a player that barely anyone will watch or even notice in an ad?

quote:

Originally posted by Skipper You missed my point. I didn't disagree that it was boring to watch or that the women were inferior golfers. I said it's not any wonder because I doubt female golfers have the same sort of opportunities that the men do. And as for Michelle Wie, I'm confused as to why you make it to be a negative that she's "trying to play with the big boys." Whatever this entails, that's a far better role model than some broad who is content to compare herself only to other women.

Its a negative to the LPGA....if there good golfers think they should play with the men then the LPGA will have no one to market....which means the LPGA eventually looses sponsors and then there is no league for the ladies to play in. The LPGA needs golfers like Michelle Wie...unfortunately....Michelle Wie doesn't need them.

quote:

Originally posted by Orko That is not as much of an issue in golf as it in other sports. Since this is an individual sport, it is up to the player to create their own supporting team, and their own training. It really goes down to the family and how much support they can throw behind their kid, since most start out in ameture golf clubs and tourneys.

Exactly the way women's tennis is. You fund yourself... which is VERY costly, and hard I know. Hence you dont see prolly more athletes... (or why all of a sudden years ago you saw a whole bunch good Russian players materialize... bc years before the country made an investment in tennis programs, giving so many more young individuals an opportunity to have coaching and teaching to produce fine tennis athletes.) But thats the way it is. Or if you're really good you'll often have your country funding you bc they want you to do well so you can represent your country and bring it some recognition (eg. Andy Murry... them trying to justify and produce the money to hire on a renowned coach like Brad Gilbert for him so he can really up his game potential).

quote:

Look at female tennis players, thy are doing just fine creating their own support structures. And some would argue that female tennis is more fun to watch, and not because they are hot.

Women's tennis is indeed doing fine, and some do argue its more fun to watch bc there's more variety (less a power game)...

But women's tennis (WTA) does poorly in all respects (attendance, viewer-ship on television, sponsors, etc) compared to the men's (ATP). The same level of interest (save for from adolescent horny teenagers) just isnt there still yet, for whatever reason. But thats hardly the game's fault. Its the general population that sorely just doent seem as interested.

I can speak personally to watching the men play this year at the Rogers Cup. Things were WAY more packed than last year when the women's were here, which I attended as well. And tickets actually sold out well in advance.

I bought my finals tickets (and it was a BIG final too w/ the no. 1 seed (and player in the world!) Justine Henin against Jelena Jokovic who was seeded 2 or 3, I think) the day before after I knew for sure that Justine was in the finals. I could have purchased any level of seating, if I recall correctly.

This year (the men), before the tournament even started you coudlnt get gold level seats for the final. And by Tues I think much or all of the silvers were sold out. Nearing Thurs and Friday, your only choices were levels 300 and maybe bronze.

Powered by: vBulletin
Copyright © 2000-2021, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.