History of Chevron Championship in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: April 25, 2025

The Chevron Championship is a significant women's professional golf tournament and one of the five major championships on the LPGA Tour. Since 1983, it has held major status, traditionally kicking off the major season. Since 2023, the tournament is hosted at The Club at Carlton Woods in The Woodlands, Texas, specifically on the Jack Nicklaus Signature Course.

1972: Debut as Richest Event

In 1972, the Chevron Championship debuted as a 54-hole event and was the richest event in women's golf with an invitation extended to all tour event winners from the previous ten seasons.

1972: Championship Founding

In 1972, the Chevron Championship was founded by David Foster and Dinah Shore.

1972: Inaugural Championship

In 1972, the Chevron Championship was founded by Dinah Shore and David Foster and was played at the Mission Hills Country Club.

1983: Elevation to major status

In 1983, the Chevron Championship was elevated to major status on the LPGA Tour, becoming the first major of the season.

1983: Major Classification

Since 1983, the Chevron Championship has been classified as a major.

1988: Champion's Dive Tradition

From 1988 to 2022, the winner traditionally celebrated her victory by jumping in the pond surrounding the 18th green.

1988: Amy Alcott's First Jump

In 1988, Amy Alcott established the tradition of jumping into the pond to celebrate her win.

1991: Alcott and Shore Jump Together

In 1991, Amy Alcott repeated the jump, this time including tournament host Dinah Shore.

1991: Inaugural Dinah Shore Weekend

In 1991, the Club Skirts Dinah Shore Weekend was first organized by Mariah Hanson.

1991: Annual Women's Festival

Since 1991, an annual women's festival has coincided with the Chevron Championship, drawing female tourists to Rancho Mirage.

1994: Donna Andrews Jumps

In 1994, Donna Andrews made the leap into the pond, solidifying the tradition.

1994: Wilcox named tournament director

Terry Wilcox became tournament director in 1994, serving through 2008.

1998: Pat Hurst's Wading Celebration

In 1998, Pat Hurst waded into the pond only up to her knees, as she could not swim.

2000: Sponsorship Title Change

Until 2000, all official sponsored titles of the tournament included Dinah Shore's name.

2002: Sörenstam Successfully Defends Title

In 2002, Sörenstam had the only successful defense of the title (as a major).

2006: Poppie's Pond

In 2006, the pond surrounding the 18th green was dubbed "Poppie's Pond" in honor of Terry Wilcox.

2008: Wilcox's last year

Terry Wilcox's last year as tournament director was 2008.

2014: ANA Inspiration Sponsorship

In late 2014, All Nippon Airways (ANA) became the title sponsor of the tournament, renaming it the ANA Inspiration.

2019: Conflict with Augusta National Women's Amateur

In 2019, it was suggested that the tournament was moved in deference to the Augusta National Women's Amateur, which had begun to conflict with the tournament.

October 2021: Chevron Sponsorship Announced

In October 2021, a six-year sponsorship agreement with Chevron Corporation was announced. The tournament would be renamed The Chevron Championship with an increased prize fund of $5 million in 2022.

2021: Scheduling Change of the Festival

Ahead of the tournament's relocation, the Dinah Shore Weekend festival moved to an autumn scheduling beginning in 2021 due to weather conditions and lower hotel costs.

2021: Weekend Moved to Autumn

Until 2021, the Dinah Shore Weekend was held in the same week as the tournament; it then moved to an autumn scheduling due to weather conditions and lower hotel costs.