The curious addition to the top of the LPGA has a deeper meaning

HOUSTON – Traditions take years, sometimes decades, to maintain, but they are a vital part of professional golf. They help tell the story of the game’s most important tournaments. Think green jacket at the Masters, or the US Open on Father’s Day Sunday.

When LPGA great Amy Alcott spontaneously jumped into a pond in a moment of ecstasy after winning the 1988 Nabisco Dinah Shore (now Chevron Championship), she did not expect the dance becomes a tradition that lasted for 40 years and moved courses and countries.

But there is. In 2023, when Chevron moved from Mission Hills in California at The Club at Carlton Woods in Houston, players told tournament organizers they wanted to keep pond dancing alive. So the organizers dug a pond and netted it to give the players peace of mind.

The tradition appeared to be in jeopardy this year, with the tournament being moved Memorial Parka Houston muni that has no water on the 18th hole. But the LPGA and tournament organizers heard from many players about the importance of the pond’s legacy, and so they made short-term and long-term plans to keep it alive. For the 2026 edition, organizers built a temporary diving pool to the right of the 18th green, measuring 15 feet by 10 feet and 4 1/2 feet deep. If a ball enters the pool during tournament play, players will receive free relief in the same way they would if they hit an approach into a stand.

The LPGA knows the makeshift pool isn’t a perfect solution, and it’s already drawn some social media spin, but given the time constraints, it was the most likely solution. After the 2026 tournament, course architect Tom Doak will redesign the finishing hole with a permanent pond.

“When a tradition matters, you find a way to honor it — and bring the fans closer, too,” the LPGA said in a statement to GOLF. “The winner’s dance has become one of the most fun and special traditions at the Chevron Championship, and what makes it especially meaningful is that it was organically created by the players themselves.

“It’s a nod to the championship’s history, a bridge to the future and part of creating a more engaging fan experience by giving spectators a place to connect and experience this tradition up close. And, as always, it’s entirely up to the winning player if she wants to take the plunge.”

Stacy Lewis made the jump to Poppie’s Pond after winning the 2011 Chevron at Mission Hills. Lewis said the diving, not how she played the Dinah Shore tournament course, is what sticks out the most about her first major win.

“There’s been a lot of debate about the pond and the jump,” Lewis said Tuesday at Memorial Park. “I’ve told a lot of people that I don’t remember receiving the trophy. I don’t remember a lot about that ceremony. But I do remember the dance and what it was like and how cold the water was in California.”

As the LPGA and women’s golf look to grow in popularity, the importance of building traditions is paramount. Women’s golf has not been good at this. The number of degrees has gone from three to four to five. The LPGA Championship became the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship. Things get lost.

But Lewis and other past champions are convinced that pond jumping must continue. She knows that the temporary pool is not an ideal solution, but years later this magic will not be remembered – only the dance will be remembered.

“What did it take, almost 20 years to develop pond dancing?” Lewis said. “Traditions don’t just happen overnight. I just think it’s so important that we keep it going and that it’s — is it a little bit different this year? Yeah. Does it look great? I mean, it’s up for debate, right? But somebody’s still going to jump in there, and it’s still going to be — when we look back 10 years and we’re going to do it all together, we’re going to do it all together. The same thing, so I just think we have to get through this year, but must continue.”

Lewis thought the temporary pool would “be bigger,” but is pleased with the LPGA and Chevron’s decision to keep tradition in the game. Lewis, who is 41 and retires after this week, also believes the course will benefit from the addition coming in 2027.

“They did a really good job of doing the best they could given the situation,” Lewis said. “It’s going to be a lot better when we come back next year, and frankly, the 18th green is going to be a lot better, too. It’s going to fit the golf course more, and now, the last four finishing holes are all going to have water on them.”

Given the depth of the pool, there will be no cannon this year and the number of team members entering with the winner will be limited. It is even possible for the winner to forgo walking in the temporary pool.

But LPGA All-Star he won’t even have to think about it.

Nelly Korda jumped into the pond at Carlton Woods in 2024. If she has to be the last woman standing this week at Memorial Park, there’s no doubt she’ll get in.

“I think when it comes to what people think about it, you’re always going to be in a lose-lose situation,” Korda said Tuesday. “Once you kill a tradition, it’s killed forever. If you look at it, maybe some people don’t like that it’s on a different golf course, in a different country. I still give props to Chevron and the LPGA for wanting to keep that tradition alive.

“I know there’s a bigger plan for it to be a better jump at Poppie’s Pond. But at the end of the day, if I’m hoisting the trophy, like I’m going to jump in.”

And once the winner steps out and dons the tournament jersey, the work will begin to ensure the tradition remains just that.