LPGA Commissioner Speaks on `Korean Father` Controversy

The so-called `Korean Father` controversy continues to stir up the U.S. LPGA community.

˝There is no evidence indicating that fathers of Korean players conduct inappropriately during tournaments as argued by some U.S. players,˝ said the LPGA said on July 7. ˝So we decided to drop the charges filed by some of players.˝

Despite the latest decision, however, U.S. LPGA commissioner Ty Votaw called in Korean players competing at the Wendy`s Championship and told them to speak with their parents in Korean during tournament. If a player files a complaint about their speaking Korean, they might be subject to penalties, the commissioner reportedly said.

˝The remarks came as the commissioner misunderstood the issue, and they are discriminatory,˝ fumed Korean players and their parents.

˝If a similar thing happens again, I will give instructions to all non-English-speaking players as well as Korean players,˝ Votaw said.

Young-Sik Ahn ysahn@donga.com