Golf is a centuries-old sport and has a slightly different approach from many other games, like following some of its major traditions. While the sport continues to evolve, these traditions remain tucked in. For instance, Masters holds a Champions Dinner every year, where the defending champion hosts a dinner only for those who have won the title. Similarly, the upcoming Chevron Championship also has an interesting tradition attached to its name. 

A jump into Poppie’s Pond! The Chevron Championship is popular for many reasons, but this one possibly tops all of them. The annual tradition started in 1988 when the winner, Amy Alcott, pulled her caddie into the water beside the 18th hole at Mission Hills Country Club. However, it didn’t become the tradition immediately. 

Lilia Vu continued the Alcott’s tradition at a new venue

Alcott had to repeat it after winning in 1991 to hint at future winners for how to celebrate their victory! However, last year, this championship shifted to its new home, the Jack Nicklaus Signature Course, which tilted people’s heads about carrying the tradition further. The champion’s leap has become an integral part of the rich history of this event.

Later, other winners followed the same and started jumping with their trophies with whoever they wanted. Fortunately, the first winner at the new home, Lilia Vu, made the traditional jump last year. The fearless LPGA star confirmed the presence of a snake on the 17th pond a day before, yet leaped off the dock into the gray water on the 18th green.

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It was the excitement that she could not hold, and she admitted later, “I think the emotions were high and just adrenaline; I got to jump into that pond.” Talking about how she planned to jump, she said, “I think Cole and I kind of passed by on 18 during the practice round and kind of discussed would you jump, and I was like, yeah, I would jump. If I won here, of course, I would jump.”

The legacy of this tradition is assumed to be carried forward this year as well. “Whoever wins this year needs to jump in and keep it going,” said another champion, Brittany Lincicome. Just like Vu, will other players like this jump into the pond when it comes down to it?

What do other golfers think of Chevron Champion tradition?

Carlton Woods nested a dedicated area named “Dinah’s Place” around the 18th green, deep enough for a player, caddie, and her family to take the plunge. However, not everyone shares the same thoughts over this victory splash. There are a few champions who would do it if they won, and then there are those who will make a situational decision.

Golfers like Minjee Lee and Jennifer Kupcho will decide on the pond’s condition. “I think there might be snakes in the water here, so might be a little interesting,” said Kupcho. Also, “I guess we’ll see what comes down to it. I’m not really sure,” she added further.

The jump into Poppie’s Pond is a synonym for the green jacket in Masters; it’s a signature. Even though it’s not a compulsion, it would be exciting to see the new winner take a dip!