Although the LPGA’s Chevron Championship has changed names and locations over the years, one tradition continues: the winner’s jump into the water.
It’s become an annual celebration where the champion celebrates by leaping into the liquid, then gets out and is wrapped in a terrycloth robe that is not to be confused with a green jacket.
But there were worries this year that that tradition might end. The tournament moved to Memorial Park Golf Course in Houston, which is a stellar location and home to a PGA Tour event. There was just one problem: there was no water hazard, natural or otherwise, by the 18th hole. So one was created. The only issue is that it is more the size of a bathtub than an actual pond. The jump might be more walking down the steps.
Still, there are 132 golfers set to battle for the $9 million in prize money – up $1 million over last year – with $1.35 million going to the winner. Continuing with a tradition that began in 1988 when Amy Alcott celebrated her victory by jumping into the water hazard by the 18th hole that became known as Poppie’s Pond, whomever wins this time around won’t hesitate to get wet.
All the winners after Alcott continued the tradition and, when Chevron took the tournament from its long-term home at Mission Hills Country Club in Racho Mirage, Calif., to The Woodlands outside of Houston, it had the good fortune to find a water hazard at the final hole.
The past three winners – Lilia Vu, Nelly Korda and Mao Saigo – all dunked themselves and then climbed out to slip on the ceremonial bathrobe.
Officials say there will be a legitimate water hazard on the final hole of Memorial Park in time for the 2027 event. For this year, however, the winner will have to make do with the splash pool.
“I still give props to Chevron to the LPGA for wanting to keep that tradition alive,” said Korda. “I know that there is a bigger plan for it to be a better jump into Poppie’s Pond. But, at the end of the day, if I’m hoisting the trophy, like I’m going to jump in.”
Officially it’s 15 feet by 25 feet wide and four-and-a-half feet deep. It will serve its need and even has steps where the winner can climb out, a luxury compared to the days of the original Poppie’s Pond where the golfers climbed out on the banks of the hazard.
While maybe not quite up to the usual standards, the new pool will allow for the continuation of the great tradition.
Stacy Lewis, who won the tournament in 2011 at Mission Hills, didn’t recall receiving the trophy or a lot of other parts of the closing ceremony, but she still has a clear memory of making the leap into the water.
“I remember the jump and what that felt like and how cold that water was in California,” said Lewis, who is playing the Chevron for the final time as she moves into retirement. “It was the coolest thing in the world. Because I had been on the green when Morgan [Pressel] did her jump as low [amateur], and seeing all those other players over the years make the jump and to get to do that yourself was just so cool. You get to be a kid again and just have fun.”
Lewis’ leap also had a not-so-happy experience when her mother, who jumped in with her, was injured and had to be taken away by ambulance. Following that, the pond was altered to make the bottom safter for the leapers.
Jin Young Ko, who won in 2019, said after drying off, that the jump was scarier than the last few holes of the tournament. That was in large part because the Korean star didn’t know how to swim.
The same went for Yani Tseng, who won in 2010 as well as last year’s champ, Saigo.
“I’m not really a good swimmer,” Saigo said. “When I went inside it was deep and at first, I thought I was going to drown.”
When Chevron took over and moved the event to Houston, the 18th-hole pond at The Woodlands was somewhat murky and word spread throughout the field that there were snakes in the water. It wasn’t true, but it was enough to give some of the leaders second thoughts about whether they would jump in if they won.
They all did, just as every winner has since 1988. This year won’t be any exception, even with the cramped quarters that may limit the size of the jumping party (caddies, agents and family often accompany the winner) and the splash.
It’s a tradition and, big or small, cold or warm, deep or shallow, the Chevron winners will take the plunge.
