At Glance
‣ The tradition of the Chevron Championship winner jumping into a body of water started with Amy Alcott in 1988 and has continued, though the event moved to The Club at Carlton Woods, Texas in 2023, raising concerns about the presence of snakes and alligators in the adjacent natural pond.
‣ To ensure the safety of participants while maintaining the jumping tradition, tournament organizers have implemented several measures at the new location, including the installation of anti-gator netting, extending the dock, and constructing a new rock wall to prevent any dangerous encounters with wildlife.
‣ Despite the safety measures in place, including advice against diving headfirst, some players, like Rose Zhang, have expressed reluctance to participate in the water-jumping celebration due to concerns about the water’s safety and the presence of potentially dangerous animals.
✔️Gator netting
✔️Extended dock
✔️New rock wallThe general manager at The Club at Carlton Woods tells me they have everything in place for a safe jump should the winner @Chevron_Golf decide to leap into the lake beside the 18th green. Gator netting is in place again this year.
— Amy Rogers (@TheAmyRogers)
Amy Alcott started something special back in ’88. She took the plunge into Poppie’s Pond after nailing the winning shot at what’s now the Chevron Championship. Fast forward, and there’s a twist. The event’s packing up and moving to Texas in 2023, leaving some to wonder about the fate of this quirky tradition.
Good news? The splash celebration’s still on the table. But, hold your horses. The new spot, right by the 18th green, might have some uninvited guests – think snakes and gators. Yikes.
So, the folks running the show got creative. They’ve dubbed the new dunking zone “Lilia’s Lake,” after Vu’s victory splash last year. Upgrades include a longer dock, a sturdy rock wall, and, crucially, gator-proof netting. Because, let’s be honest, nobody wants a close encounter of the reptilian kind during their victory lap.
Before these changes, Stephen Salzman, the big boss at Carlton Woods, had a chat with Golf Digest. He mentioned clearing out rocks and debris to make the landing safer. And yes, the gator netting’s back this year, ensuring a safe leap for the Chevron champ.
Salzman’s got it all figured out, or so he says. Despite only spotting a single gator in the past decade, they’re not taking chances. His advice? Skip the dive. Go for a cannonball instead. Safety first, right?
Amy Rogers, a voice from the Golf Channel, echoed these updates. She confirmed all the safety measures are set for this year’s jump. Meanwhile, Rose Zhang’s playing it cool, hinting she might just stay dry this time around. Despite the allure of tradition, she’s eyeing the water with a bit of skepticism.
Last year, Lilia Vu didn’t hesitate. She celebrated her Chevron win with a splash, tradition intact. Nelly Korda and Georgia Hall had their doubts, but Vu went for it. Jennifer Kupcho, on the other hand, kept us guessing.
So, as the tournament adapts to its new Texas home, all eyes are on who’ll take the leap and who’ll play it safe. With snakes, possibly, and gator netting definitely in the mix, it’s anyone’s guess.
