Chevron Championship Brings New Twist To Tradition With Victory Pool At Memorial Park

BusinessSportsMoneyChevron Championship Brings New Twist To Tradition With Victory Pool At Memorial ParkByTim Corlett,Contributor.Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Professional and Amateur Golffor Break80Follow AuthorApr 21, 2026, 07:37pm EDTApr 21, 2026, 07:41pm EDT--:-- / --:--This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.RANCHO MIRAGE, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 03: (Center) Jennifer Kupcho of the United States jumps into Poppie's Pond after winning The Chevron Championship at The Westin Mission Hills Golf Resort & Spa on April 03, 2022 in Rancho Mirage, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)Getty ImagesThe first women’s golf major championship, The Chevron Open, tees off Thursday at Memorial Park in Houston, Texas, with a comical twist to the continuation of tradition.Jumping into a body of water has long been a tradition at the event. When the tournament was held in Palm Springs, California, at Mission Hills Country Club, winner Amy Alcott jumped into the pond adjacent to the 18th green in 1988. The pond celebrated its second victory jump in 1991 when Alcott won again and plunged in once more. The aquatic celebration became cemented as a tradition in 1994 when Donna Andrews won the event and jumped in as well.This is the first year Memorial Park Golf Course will host the event, and in preparation, the course has installed a 15-foot by 25-foot, 4.5-foot-deep pool off the front-right greenside bunker.“I did see pictures,” Australian Grace Kim said Sunday after her final round at the JM Eagle LA Championship, speaking about the new pool. “They’ve obviously done a good job trying to keep the tradition going. I was kind of hoping it would just end at Carlton Woods.”Source: Golf DigestThe pool’s location has called into question its exact placement. It sits within the scope of play, unencumbered by grandstands or trees, and has the possibility of catching an errant...