Chevron Championship

The Chevron Championship
Tournament information
LocationThe Woodlands, Texas
Established
Course(s)The Club at Carlton Woods
Jack Nicklaus Signature Course
Par72
Length6,824 yards (6,240 m)
Organized by
Tour(s)LPGA Tour
FormatStroke play - 72 holes
Prize fundUS$7.9 million
Month playedApril
Tournament record score
Aggregate269 Dottie Pepper (1999)
To par−19 Dottie Pepper (1999)
Current champion
United States Nelly Korda
2024 Chevron Championship
Location map
The Club at Carlton Woods is located in the United States
The Club at Carlton Woods
The Club at Carlton Woods
Location in the United States
The Club at Carlton Woods is located in Texas
The Club at Carlton Woods
The Club at Carlton Woods
Location in Texas

The Chevron Championship is a professional women's golf tournament. An event on the LPGA Tour, it is one of the tour's five major championships, and has traditionally been the first of the season since its elevation to major status in 1983. Since 2023, it has been played on the Jack Nicklaus Signature Course at The Club at Carlton Woods in The Woodlands, Texas.

Founded in 1972 by singer and actress Dinah Shore and Colgate-Palmolive chairman David Foster, it was played at the Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage, California, from its inception through 2022. Sometimes referred to as The Dinah Shore in deference to its founder, the tournament has had many official sponsored titles, all of which included Shore's name until 2000. The tournament relocated to the Greater Houston area in 2023 due to a new sponsorship agreement with Chevron Corporation.

The championship's time at Mission Hills is associated with several traditions; in 1988, Amy Alcott established a tradition of the event's champion diving into the pond that surrounds the 18th hole (a tradition that would be carried over to The Woodlands), while an annual women's festival that originally coincidined with the championship has been held since 1991, attracting a large number of female tourists to the Rancho Mirage area.

History

[edit]

Founded in 1972 by Colgate-Palmolive chairman David Foster,[1][2] and entertainer Dinah Shore,[3] the championship has been classified as a major since 1983.[4] Since its inception, it has been held annually at the Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage, California, southeast of Palm Springs.[3] It is the first major of the year, usually played in late March or early April.

At its debut in 1972 as a 54-hole event, it was the richest event in women's golf;[3][5][6] its purse was more than double that of the LPGA Championship or the U.S. Women's Open. The first edition invited all winners of tour events from the previous ten seasons.[3]

After over twenty years of sponsorship by Nabisco, and parent company Kraft Foods, Japanese airline All Nippon Airways became the title sponsor of the tournament in late 2014, renaming the tournament the ANA Inspiration (in reference to its slogan "Inspiration of Japan").[7]

In October 2021, a six-year sponsorship agreement with energy company Chevron Corporation was announced that would see the tournament renamed The Chevron Championship, with an increased prize fund of $5 million in 2022, up from $3 million in 2021. It was also announced that the tournament will be moved to the Jack Nicklaus Signature Course at The Club at Carlton Woods in the Greater Houston area in 2023, with a change of dates. Dinah Shore's daughter Melissa Montgomery established an advisory board to oversee the tournament's transition.[8][9]

Officials intend the date change to allow for network television coverage on NBC,[8][9] it has also been suggested that the tournament was moved in deference to the Augusta National Women's Amateur, which had begun to conflict with the tournament in 2019.[10]

Tournament names

[edit]
Years Tournament name
1972–1980 Colgate-Dinah Shore Winner's Circle
1981 Colgate-Dinah Shore
1982 Nabisco Dinah Shore Invitational
1983–1999 Nabisco Dinah Shore
2000–2001 Nabisco Championship
2002–2014 Kraft Nabisco Championship
2015–2021 ANA Inspiration
from 2022 The Chevron Championship
Informally, it is commonly referred to as "the Dinah Shore,"
even though her name was removed from the official title in 2000.
The winner's trophy bears Shore's name.

"Poppie's Pond"

[edit]

From 1988 to 2022, the winner traditionally celebrated her victory by jumping in the pond surrounding the 18th green.[11] The pond is known as Champions Lake or "Poppie's Pond" as it was dubbed in 2006 honor of Terry Wilcox, the tournament director from 1994 through 2008; Wilcox is known as "Poppie" to his grandchildren.[12]

Amy Alcott established the tradition in 1988 to celebrate her second win here,[13] and repeated in 1991, including tournament host Dinah Shore.[14] It was not embraced by others until 1994, when Donna Andrews made the leap, followed by Nanci Bowen the next year, and it became an annual tradition.[15][16] In 1998, winner Pat Hurst waded in only up to her knees, as she could not swim.[17][18][19][20] Originally a very natural water hazard, the portion near the bridge was later lined with concrete and has treated water, more like a swimming pool.[21]

The tradition was carried over to The Woodlands; the lake between the 9th and 18th holes was dredged, cleaned, and had netting installed to protect against alligators, and a dock and ladder was built on the 18th hole.[22] Prior to the 2023 tournament, several players expressed uncertainty over whether they would take the jump—now into a natural lake instead of the treated pool used in Mission Hills.[22] Its first champion, Lilia Vu, would take the jump into the lake.[23]

Associated events

[edit]
Main article: Club Skirts Dinah Shore Weekend

A women's festival known as the Club Skirts Dinah Shore Weekend has been held in the city of Palm Springs, California, featuring concerts by female musicians, comedy shows, parties, and other events and networking opportunities. The Dinah Shore Weekend was first organized in 1991 by promoter Mariah Hanson; it expanded upon afterparties that had become associated with the Dinah Shore tournament, and, until 2021, was held in the same week.[24][25]

A large number of lesbians and bisexual women visited the Palm Springs area for the festival and tournament;[24][25] the Dinah Shore Weekend was described by Los Angeles as the "largest annual gathering of queer women and their female allies",[26] while the tournament as a whole had been described as "spring break for lesbians."[27][28] The event continues to be held annually in Palm Springs; ahead of the tournament's relocation, the festival moved to an autumn scheduling beginning in 2021 due to weather conditions and lower hotel costs.[29][30]

Winners

[edit]
See also: List of Chevron Championship winners
Year Dates Champion Country Score To par Margin
of victory		 Purse
($)		 Winner's
share ($)
2024 Apr 18–21 Nelly Korda  United States 68-69-69-69 275 −13 2 strokes 7,900,000 1,200,000
2023 Apr 20–23 Lilia Vu  United States 68-69-73-68 278 −10 Playoff 5,100,000 765,000
2022 Mar 31 – Apr 3 Jennifer Kupcho  United States 66-70-64-74 274 −14 2 strokes 5,000,000 750,000
2021 Apr 1–4 Patty Tavatanakit  Thailand 66-69-67-68 270 −18 2 strokes 3,100,000 465,000
2020 Sep 10–13 Mirim Lee  South Korea 70-65-71-67 273 −15 Playoff 3,100,000 465,000
2019 Apr 4–7 Ko Jin-young  South Korea 69-71-68-70 278 −10 3 strokes 3,000,000 450,000
2018 Mar 29 – Apr 2^ Pernilla Lindberg  Sweden 65-67-70-71 273 −15 Playoff 2,800,000 420,000
2017 Mar 30 – Apr 2 Ryu So-yeon  South Korea 68-69-69-68 274 −14 Playoff 2,700,000 405,000
2016 Mar 31 – Apr 3 Lydia Ko  New Zealand 70-68-69-69 276 −12 1 stroke 2,600,000 390,000
2015 Apr 2–5 Brittany Lincicome (2)  United States 72-68-70-69 279 −9 Playoff 2,500,000 375,000
2014 Apr 3–6 Lexi Thompson  United States 73-64-69-68 274 −14 3 strokes 2,000,000 300,000
2013 Apr 4–7 Inbee Park  South Korea 70-67-67-69 273 −15 4 strokes 2,000,000 300,000
2012 Mar 29 – Apr 1 Sun-Young Yoo  South Korea 69-69-72-69 279 −9 Playoff 2,000,000 300,000
2011 Mar 31 – Apr 3 Stacy Lewis  United States 66-69-71-69 275 −13 3 strokes 2,000,000 300,000
2010 Apr 1–4 Yani Tseng  Taiwan 69-71-67-68 275 −13 1 stroke 2,000,000 300,000
2009 Apr 2–5 Brittany Lincicome  United States 66-74-70-69 279 −9 1 stroke 2,000,000 300,000
2008 Apr 3–6 Lorena Ochoa  Mexico 68-71-71-67 277 −11 5 strokes 2,000,000 300,000
2007 Mar 29 – Apr 1 Morgan Pressel  United States 74-72-70-69 285 −3 1 stroke 2,000,000 300,000
2006 Mar 30 – Apr 2 Karrie Webb (2)  Australia 70-68-76-65 279 −9 Playoff 1,800,000 270,000
2005 Mar 24–27 Annika Sörenstam (3)  Sweden 70-69-66-68 273 −15 8 strokes 1,800,000 270,000
2004 Mar 25–28 Grace Park  South Korea 72-69-67-69 277 −11 1 stroke 1,600,000 240,000
2003 Mar 27–30 Patricia Meunier-Lebouc  France 70-68-70-73 281 −7 1 stroke 1,600,000 240,000
2002 Mar 28–31 Annika Sörenstam (2)  Sweden 70-71-71-68 280 −8 1 stroke 1,500,000 225,000
2001 Mar 22–25 Annika Sörenstam  Sweden 72-70-70-69 281 −7 3 strokes 1,500,000 225,000
2000 Mar 23–26 Karrie Webb  Australia 67-70-67-70 274 −14 10 strokes 1,250,000 187,500
1999 Mar 25–28 Dottie Pepper (2)  United States 70-66-67-66 269 −19 6 strokes 1,000,000 150,000
1998 Mar 26–29 Pat Hurst  United States 68-72-70-71 281 −7 1 stroke 1,000,000 150,000
1997 Mar 27–30 Betsy King (3)  United States 71-67-67-71 276 −12 2 strokes 900,000 135,000
1996 Mar 28–31 Patty Sheehan  United States 71-72-67-71 281 −7 1 stroke 900,000 135,000
1995 Mar 23–26 Nanci Bowen  United States 69-75-71-70 285 −3 1 stroke 850,000 127,500
1994 Mar 24–27 Donna Andrews  United States 70-69-67-70 276 −12 2 strokes 700,000 105,000
1993 Mar 25–28 Helen Alfredsson  Sweden 69-71-72-72 284 −4 2 strokes 700,000 105,000
1992 Mar 26–29 Dottie Mochrie  United States 69-71-70-69 279 −9 Playoff 700,000 105,000
1991 Mar 28–31 Amy Alcott (3)  United States 67-70-68-68 273 −15 8 strokes 600,000 90,000
1990 Mar 29 – Apr 1 Betsy King (2)  United States 69-70-69-75 283 −5 2 strokes 600,000 90,000
1989 Mar 30 – Apr 2 Juli Inkster (2)  United States 66-69-73-71 279 −9 5 strokes 500,000 80,000
1988 Mar 31 – Apr 3 Amy Alcott (2)  United States 71-66-66-71 274 −14 2 strokes 500,000 80,000
1987 Apr 2–5 Betsy King  United States 68-75-72-68 283 −5 Playoff 500,000 80,000
1986 Apr 3–6 Pat Bradley  United States 68-72-69-71 280 −8 2 strokes 430,000 75,000
1985 Apr 4–7 Alice Miller  United States 70-68-70-67 275 −13 3 strokes 400,000 55,000
1984 Apr 5–8 Juli Inkster  United States 70-73-69-68 280 −8 Playoff 400,000 55,000
1983 Mar 31 – Apr 3 Amy Alcott  United States 70-70-70-72 282 −6 2 strokes 400,000 55,000

^ Play extended one day due to darkness.
Note: Green highlight indicates scoring records.

Winners as a non-major

[edit]
Year Champion Country Score To par Margin
of victory		 Purse
($)		 Winner's
share ($)
1982 Sally Little  South Africa 76-67-71-64 278 −10 3 strokes 300,000 45,000
1981 Nancy Lopez  United States 71-73-69-64 277 −11 2 strokes 250,000 37,500
1980 Donna Caponi  United States 71-67-66-71 275 −13 2 strokes 250,000 37,500
1979 Sandra Post (2)  Canada 68-70-68-70 276 −12 1 stroke 250,000 37,500
1978 Sandra Post  Canada 65-75-72-72 283 −5 Playoff 240,000 36,000
1977 Kathy Whitworth  United States 76-70-72-71 289 +1 1 stroke 240,000 36,000
1976 Judy Rankin  United States 74-72-71-68 285 −3 3 strokes 185,000 32,000
1975 Sandra Palmer  United States 70-70-70-73 283 −5 1 stroke 180,000 32,000
1974 Jo Ann Prentice  United States 71-71-74-73 289 +1 Playoff 179,000 32,000
1973 Mickey Wright  United States 71-74-71-68 284 −4 2 strokes 135,000 25,000
1972 Jane Blalock  United States 71-70-72 213 −3 3 strokes 110,000 20,050

Multiple champions

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Multiple winners of the event as a major championship.

Champion Country Total Years
Amy Alcott  United States 3 1983, 1988, 1991
Betsy King  United States 3 1987, 1990, 1997
Annika Sörenstam ‡  Sweden 3 2001, 2002, 2005
Juli Inkster ‡  United States 2 1984, 1989
Dottie Pepper  United States 2 1992, 1999
Karrie Webb ‡  Australia 2 2000, 2006
Brittany Lincicome  United States 2 2009, 2015
Career Grand Slam winners ‡

Through 2024, the only successful defense of the title (as a major) was by Sörenstam in 2002.[31]

Tournament records

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Year Player Score Round[33]
2021 Lydia Ko 62 (−10) 4th
2006 Lorena Ochoa 62 (−10) 1st

References

[edit]
  1. ^ McDermott, Barry (April 29, 1974). "One for the money, two for the show". Sports Illustrated. p. 26.
  2. ^ Pileggi, Sarah (April 12, 1982). "The way to win a lot with a Little". Sports Illustrated. p. 32.
  3. ^ a b c d McDermott, Barry (April 24, 1972). "Bracing for a rich breakthrough". Sports Illustrated. p. 26.
  4. ^ McDermott, Barry (April 11, 1983). "Winning was her just dessert". Sports Illustrated. p. 34.
  5. ^ "Rankin maintains lead". Eugene Register-Guard. (Oregon). wire services. April 16, 1972. p. 3C.
  6. ^ "Blalock wins title despite back pain". Eugene Register-Guard. (Oregon). Associated Press. April 17, 1972. p. 5B.
  7. ^ "All Nippon Airways (ANA) Takes Flight as Title Sponsor of LPGA's "ANA Inspiration"". IMG. November 18, 2014. Archived from the original on December 1, 2014. Retrieved November 19, 2014.
  8. ^ a b Levins, Keely (October 5, 2021). "LPGA Tour making major changes to year's first major, with new name, purse, course and sponsor". Golf Digest. Retrieved October 7, 2021.
  9. ^ a b Murray, Ewan (October 5, 2021). "Women's golf major gains sponsor and bigger purse amid venue uncertainty". The Guardian. Retrieved October 7, 2021.
  10. ^ Powers, Shad (April 2, 2022). "Veteran Christina Kim has harsh words for Augusta National as LPGA major is forced to move". The Desert Sun. Retrieved April 5, 2022.
  11. ^ "LPGA Top Ten: Leaps into Poppie's Pond". YouTube. (LPGA Tour). 2015. Archived from the original on December 12, 2021. Retrieved April 3, 2018.
  12. ^ "Poppie's Pond". The Chevron Championship. Retrieved April 19, 2021.
  13. ^ "Alcott takes Dinah Shore, then takes victory plunge". Eugene Register-Guard. (Oregon). Associated Press. April 4, 1988. p. 2C.
  14. ^ Florence, Mal (April 1, 1991). "Alcott repeats her win and her dive". Eugene Register-Guard. (Oregon). (Los Angeles Times). p. 2C.
  15. ^ "Bowen's first LPGA victory a major one". Eugene Register-Guard. (Oregon). Associated Press. March 27, 1995. p. 2B.
  16. ^ Crouse, Karen (April 2, 2011). "At women's Masters, plunge in Poppie's Pond is victory lap". New York Times. Retrieved April 3, 2018.
  17. ^ "Win has Hurst taking a plunge". Reading Eagle. (Pennsylvania). wire services. March 30, 1998. p. B10.
  18. ^ Shipnuck, Alan (April 6, 1998). "Hurst in a burst". Sports Illustrated. p. G38.
  19. ^ Zullo, Allan (2001). Astonishing but True Golf Facts. Andrews McMeel Publishing. ISBN 978-0740714269.
  20. ^ "The Ladies of the Lake: the Champion's Leap at the Kraft Nabisco Championship". Kraft Nabisco Championship. 2006. Archived from the original on April 1, 2007. Retrieved April 2, 2007.
  21. ^ Myers, Patti. "Kraft Nabisco: Dedicated crew keeps Poppie's Pond safe". The Desert Sun. Retrieved March 18, 2024.
  22. ^ a b "Chevron Championship's new layout – and pond jump – more daunting". NBC Sports. April 18, 2023. Retrieved March 18, 2024.
  23. ^ "Lilia Vu Steals the Show at The Chevron Championship". LPGA.com. Retrieved March 18, 2024.
  24. ^ a b Mansfield, Stephanie (April 7, 1997). "Major party". Sports Illustrated. p. G6.
  25. ^ a b "Tee party". The Observer. May 6, 2001. Archived from the original on May 24, 2013. Retrieved April 3, 2013.
  26. ^ Martin, Brittany (March 12, 2018). "How a Small Party in the Desert Became the Biggest Lesbian Festival in America Los Angeles Magazine". Los Angeles Magazine. Retrieved October 6, 2021.
  27. ^ "Don't Quote Me: Dinah Shore Weekend". AfterEllen.com. 2006. Archived from the original on July 19, 2012. Retrieved December 12, 2007.
  28. ^ Hall, Carla (March 31, 1996). "Dinah Shore Week: It's Ultimate Girls' Night Out". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved April 19, 2021.
  29. ^ Blueskye, Brian. "The Dinah founder says party staying in desert, but dates may change". The Desert Sun. Retrieved March 18, 2024.
  30. ^ Blueskye, Brian. "'We have to be what we want': The Dinah returns this weekend for 30th anniversary". The Desert Sun. Retrieved March 18, 2024.
  31. ^ "Sorenstam holds on for victory". Wilmington Morning Star. (North Carolina). Associated Press. April 1, 2002. p. 5C.
  32. ^ "Lopez succumbs to challenge by Post". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Associated Press. April 9, 1979. p. 14.
  33. ^ "Scoring Records at the Chevron Championship". golfcompendium.com. Retrieved April 20, 2024.
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