For over fifty years the “Dinah Shore” was a staple on the LPGA schedule. It debuted in 1972 as the Colgate-Dinah Shore Winner’s Circle. In 1983 it became the fourth women’s major, titled the Nabisco Dinah Shore.
It was played at the picturesque Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage, California from its inception through 2022.
Most importantly, it was the home of the LPGA’s most iconic tradition: with winners celebrating a major victory by jumping in the pond surrounding the 18th green.
The champion’s leap into the pond (later a pool) is easily the LPGA’s most noteworthy tradition.
In 2022, however, as part of its new six-year title sponsorship agreement with Chevron Corporation, the LPGA announced plans for the major championship to be contested on the Jack Nicklaus Signature Course at The Club at Carlton Woods in Texas.
Despite its new home in Texas, tournament organizers have been working hard to maintain the legacy and history of the longtime tournament, including keeping Dinah Shore’s name on the trophy and even cleaning up the water alongside the 18th hole.
According to reports, an area of the lake was dredged to clean up the “swampy feel.” It was also netted off to keep out any alligators or snakes.
Will the winner take the leap in Texas, though?
Defending champion Jennifer Kupcho is not sure, citing snakes.
“I guess we’ll see what comes down to it. I’m not really sure,” said Kupcho. “I think there might be snakes in the water here, so might be a little interesting.”
World No.2 Nelly Korda was uncommitted at first, but confirmed she would take the leap.
“Again, if you win, you still get to jump into Poppies Pond and you still get to hoist the trophy, so at the end of the day that’s what matters,” said Korda.
Asked if she would jump, the Florida native said, “Hopefully. We’ll see. But yes, I would.”
World No.1 Lydia Ko also wavered, “The water is natural, so it’s a little dirtier than Poppies Pond that got cleaned out before we came along, but it might be cleaner than when Amy Alcott first jumped into Poppies Pond because I think it was literally like a natural pond at that point.
“Yeah, it’s good worries, but I feel like people would jump in it because that is a tradition of this championship, and Chevron made that possible for us.”
Georgia Hall bluntly said, “I don’t know if anyone is going to jump in that lake. But we’ll see.”
Here’s a look at the new 18th hole at the Chevron Championship and the dock constructed should a player decide to make the celebratory jump into the water. I’m told the water has been dredged and pylons have been submerged about 50 feet out with gator netting to protect the area. pic.twitter.com/cEgBdjPhL1
— Amy Rogers (@TheAmyRogers) April 18, 2023
Here’s what it looks like on 18 at the Nicklaus Course for @Chevron_Golf. There’s a dock if someone wants to jump. Won’t be staged but a robe will be available. pic.twitter.com/zERHbLUg3v
— Beth Ann Nichols (@GolfweekNichols) April 18, 2023
