It was a bittersweet moment when it was announced that energy giants Chevron would take over as the title sponsor of one of the most popular majors in women’s golf, the ANA Inspiration. With the new sponsorship came a significant increase in prize money for the players – a 60% rise from USD $3.1 million to $5 million – a necessary step to bring them a little closer to parity with their male counterparts, and a welcome reminder of the upward trajectory women’s sport as a whole has been enjoying in recent years.
However, with the deal also came the news that the tournament – which has been played at Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage, California throughout its entire 50-year history – will be held at a different venue in 2023.
The Chevron Championship began life in 1972 as the Colgate-Dinah Shore Winner’s Circle. It was founded by singer, actress, and golf enthusiast Dinah Shore, and it is held on Mission Hills’ eponymous Dinah Shore Tournament Course. It joined the ranks of the major championships in 1983; that edition was won by Amy Alcott, who went on to establish the tournament’s most enduring tradition.
Upon winning her second title there in 1988, Alcott famously celebrated by leaping into Champions Lake, the water surrounding the 18th green island, alongside caddie Bill Kurre. The pair did so again – this time with host Shore joining them – when Alcott won her third title there in 1991. In 1994, shortly after Shore had passed away aged 76, Donna Andrews emulated Alcott’s signature celebration in Shore’s memory, and since then it has been tradition for the winner to jump into the water by the green. Or wade in, as non-swimmer Pat Hurst did in 1998 to the delight of the crowd.
Since becoming an annual occurrence, organisers built a pool within the lake that can be cleaned and drained separately to the rest of the water. This pool is known as Poppie’s Pond, named in honour of former tournament director Terry Wilcox, who is known as “Poppie” to his 7 grandchildren.
The most recent player to experience Poppie’s Pond is Patty Tavatanakit, who finished 2 strokes ahead of the field to claim her first victory on the LPGA Tour. The victory also helped earn the 22-year-old the title of the LPGA Tour’s 2021 Rookie of the Year.
With a new venue next year will hopefully come new traditions and iconic celebrations for this storied competition, but the 2022 edition promises to be extra special for spectators to attend the event at Mission Hills, so make sure you’re there to witness it!
General admission Grounds tickets start at $23 for adults between 18 and 23, or $27 for adults aged 24 and over, while children aged 17 and under may enter for free. If you’re looking for a premium experience, then VIP Clubhouse access starts at $263 per day.
To find out more about this iconic event, click here and grab your tickets today!
