Snakes? Gators? Gators?

The winner of the THE WOODLANDS, Texas – Will the winner leap?

Many wondered if The Club at Carlton Woods would continue one of the few women’s golf traditions that have survived the LPGA’s move from California to Texas. The pond next to the 18th hole at the Nicklaus Course, is not pool water. The water is murky, natural and a stark contrast with the clear waters of the Dinah Shore Tournament Course.

Nelly Korda has said that she will jump in the air if she wins. Jennifer Kupcho was not so sure. She didn’t get a chance to choose because she did not make it to the finals.

Kupcho said, “I’m thinking there could be snakes here in the water. It might be interesting.”

Stephen Salzman is the club’s chief operating officer and general manager. He said that the pond was now safe for the players. He said that the club’s engineering and agronomy teams had gone through several scenarios in the months before the championship. The club initially intended to dredge all of the area in order to deepen the lake. Nicklaus’ design team changed their course because they were afraid that the green might slough.

Salzman said, “We built a dock.” We dredged from the dock end to the border of the rock wall. The depth at the end of dock is 5 feet, and it progresses to about 10 feet.

Divers were sent to the bottom of the lake to look for concrete blocks and rocks. For peace of mind they installed a gator-net to protect the area.

Salzman replied that the net did not keep out snakes but snakes were not very common in this pond. The gators aren’t around, but you can never be too careful.

World No. Lydia Ko, the winner of the ANA Inspiration 2016, which was then called the ANA Inspiration, didn’t know that the dock at the 18th hole was meant for jumping.

Ko asked at her pre-tournament media conference, “Are we supposed to jump?” I’ve seen shots hit on the green so I wasn’t sure if you were bored to jump. My caddie Dave, and my mother said it is too small for everyone to jump on. It’s a good idea to check if everyone can fit onto the deck if this happens.

This is what 18 looks like at the Nicklaus Course @Chevron_Golf. If someone wants to jump, there’s a dock. The show won’t be staged, but a robe is available. pic.twitter.com/zERHbLUg3v

— Beth Ann Nichols (@GolfweekNichols) April 18, 2023

Ko, another player who didn’t make it through, said that she appreciated that Chevron had given players the chance to continue the tradition. There will not be an organized champion’s jump, but a robe with slippers and a pair of slippers are available. However, it’s better to jump directly from the dock and not from either side. Maybe one person at the time.

Salzman estimated that the build-out at 18th Street seats about 1,000 fans. He estimates that 5,000 to 7,000 spectators will be in attendance on Sunday.

He said that The Woodlands, a golf-centric area in The Woodlands, would support the event.

The Woodlands is home to eight 18-hole courses and The Club at Carlton Woods boasts 768 members.

The Nicklaus Course, including the greens, bunkers, and tee-boxes, will be fully restored and modernized on May 1. The new irrigation system and the lake banks will be restored. Salzman estimated that the cost would be around $10 million. The project is scheduled to be completed in late October.

Georgia Hall believes that the Nicklaus Course was a superior golf course to the Dinah Shore Tournament Course.

Hall replied, “I just think the way you make me think.” When pressed to elaborate further.

You have to be a bit more creative on this golf course. It’s impossible to relax at any hole, because every hole has something different. This is mostly true on the greens. It was easy to read the greens in Palm Springs, as there was no grain. Now we have grain. I’ve heard that it will be windy and there are many other factors to consider.

Hall, who is also unsure if the winner of the tournament will jump, says that the 525 yard par-5 18th hole won’t be accessible from the back tee for most unless it’s downwind. Salzman heard that the plan was to move the tees up to the weekend in order to increase the risk/reward factor.

Ko said, “I love par-5 holes as finishing holes.” “It can put everyone who’s just a few shots away on the final stretch in play,” said Ko.

Amy Alcott, the first player at the Dinah Shore Tournament Course to jump in the lake in 1988 calls it an “organic” celebration. This is opposite to what has developed in recent years.

Alcott said, “I had no idea when I first jumped into the Dinah what I was going to find.” There was duck doo everywhere and wires. I could have broken my leg or really hurt myself.

The LPGA Hall of Famer was able to survive and started a tradition that has lasted for decades.

The Nicklaus Course’s pond doesn’t even have a name. Alcott says she gets between 15 and 20 letters per year from fans who ask about Poppie, or why the pond wasn’t named after her. (Poppie is Terry Wilcox’s longtime tournament director, as his grandchildren call him.

The pond at the 18th hole on the Nicklaus Course may one day be named in honor of Alcott, irrespective of whether the jump survives or not.

Salzman confirmed that a 10-year agreement is in place for the Chevron to remain here, with a clause of five years to ensure everyone’s satisfaction. This week, the defending champions were given Bentleys to drive. Salzman’s team wants this to be the favorite tour stop for every player.

He said, “I would like to believe they will be here for another 51 years.”