The LPGA is apparently so concerned with its players' inability to speak English that it is threatening to suspend the membership of those who are unable to pass a proficiency test next year.

Before it does that, however, the LPGA ought to re-read its own title, which is "Ladies Professional Golf Association." It does not say "association of English-speaking golfers" or even "professionals proficient in English."

The LPGA has, since the influx of international players, increasingly sought to brand itself as the home of the best female players in the world. If that truly is the aim, then the overriding importance isn't whether you put English, Swedish or Korean on the ball. Only that it goes in the hole.

The LPGA has been conflicted when it comes to diversity. It wants to champion its chop suey mix of players, proudly touting the 121 international players from 26 countries. It heralds the South Korean wave of 45 who make up the largest non-U.S. segment. It seeks to market globally.

But, then, it struggles with the concept. This latest move suggests the LPGA hasn't come all that far in five years since Jan Stephenson plunged her FootJoys to tonsil depth in saying, "Asians are killing our (LPGA) Tour" with "their lack of emotion" and "refusal to speak English when they can speak English."

Stephenson also said, at the time, "If I were commissioner, I would have a quota on international players and that would include a quota on Asian players."

Did somebody make Stephenson commissioner overnight? Because you might wonder if the threat to suspend memberships of those who have been on the Tour two years or more without being deemed proficient in English by end of 2009 is a roundabout shot at the same thing.

You don't see it in Major League Baseball or even the PGA. "It is ludicrous," fumed Michael Yim, who represents Sony Open winner KJ Choi and the LPGA star Se Ri Pak.

Ideally, of course, the LPGA would have players who can speak to sponsors, pro-am partners and media in any number of languages to their mutual benefit. But since the 2008 Tour schedule takes in nine countries and more are being added, that can be difficult.

English is the dominant language and it certainly behooves players to become proficient in it not only to further the LPGA but to enhance their own careers, as Yim will tell you.

But the LPGA is clearly going about it in the wrong way. By all means make foreign language lessons — English for international players and another language for native English speakers — a requirement. Encourage proficiency with rewards. Hire more staff fluent in a variety of languages.

But legislating language at the risk of a player's hard-earned Tour card is way out of bounds.

Reach Ferd Lewis at flewis@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8044.