Change is often difficult to accept for a lot of people, especially when there is tradition involved.
With the opening women’s Major of the year taking place at at Memorial Park Golf Course in Houston, Texas for the first time, a tradition which began with Amy Alcott leaping into a Californian pond 36 years ago needed to be adapted somewhat.
There is no natural water within close proximity of the 18th green at Memorial Park – which also hosted the PGA Tour’s Texas Children’s Houston Open recently – so tournament organizers had a 15-by-25-foot pool created which measures 4.5 feet deep.
What now exists as a version of Poppie’s Pond is a far cry from the original, and it wouldn’t be unfair to say not everyone is fully on board with the current iteration.
A first look at this week’s temporary pool at the Chevron Championship 👀It measures 4-1/2 feet deep and sits to the right of Memorial Park’s 18th green. pic.twitter.com/9kvJy5dKiwApril 20, 2026
Speaking after her final round at the JM Eagle LA Championship last week, Australia’s Grace Kim said: “I did see pictures. 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.
“I’m sure it’s a lot cleaner than the water at The Club at Carlton Woods. Hopefully, it’s one of the Australians that will be jumping in that pool. The pool is better than the dirty water.”
Of the handful who answered questions in LA on the compact celebration zone, Kim and a few others noted its depth as a mild cause for concern.
Kim said: “That’s very shallow. I don’t know. Maybe it would be a little jump. Wouldn’t that be dangerous?”
Meanwhile, the LPGA Tour’s most recent champion, Hannah Green, said: “It’s going to be a bit of a hazard; I don’t know. People could hurt themselves.”
Sponsor’s invite Asterisk Talley, who stands at 5ft 10in, admitted the pond wasn’t quite as deep as she’d like but she would still take the plunge regardless.
Talley said: “Obviously,…
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