Could The Chevron Golden Boots Be The LPGA’s Next Big Tradition?

HOUSTON, Texas — For the last three years, the LPGA Tour's first major of the season, the Chevron Championship, has found its new home in the Lone Star State.

It was a move that players, caddies, and fans alike weren't all that fond of due to the rich, and beloved history at Mission Hills Country Club in Palm Springs, California. Since the 70s, a women's golf tournament took place out there with the help of singer and actress Dinah Shore—who took her role as host extremely serious. Shore didn't even play golf (at the start) but the star understood the entertainment factor. She's now referred to the First Lady of women's golf due to all the ways she ushered and elevated the LPGA Tour to new heights during the later half of the 20th century.

RELATED: Meet Dinah Shore, The First Lady of Golf

A decade after it's inception in 1972, Chevron was upgraded to a major championship, and has held that coveted spot as being the first major on the women's golf calendar. In 1988, six years into Chevron's major tenure, Amy Alcott dared to do want no one had before.

After sinking the title-clinching putt, the now 29-time LPGA winner, spontaneously jumped into pond on the edge of the 18th green in celebration.

RELATED: The Lore of The Infamous Poppie's Pond Jump

For more than 30 years, players embraced the tradition created by Alcott.

"I've told a lot of people that I don't remember getting the trophy. A lot of things I don't remember about that ceremony. But I remember the jump and what that felt like and how cold that water was in California," said 2011 Chevron winner Stacy Lewis when asked about what she remembers about the pond.

For many, Poppie's Pond and the jump became synonymous with women's golf, but when the move to Texas after the 2022 tournament, it begged the question, would the tradition stick?

The short answer is yes, it has, but it's certainly not the same.

The first two years after Chevron moved to the greater Houston area, it was contested at The Club at Carlton Woods. The Jack Nicklaus designed course has a massive body of water on the 18th for players to jump into. And I'm happy to report that players have maintained the tradition to take the leap after winning. Lilia Vu was the first to do it in 2023 followed by Nelly Korda in 2024, and last year's champion Mao Saigo (who looked like she was close to going under at one point).

But earlier this year, it was announced that the championship would be moved again, and to a location that didn't have a water feature on the last hole. Memorial Park has previously hosted the PGA TOUR and this week has made it's LPGA debut...along with it's temporary pool that was created just to keep the jump alive.

It's been a very popular debate this week, with most of the reaction trending rather negatively across social media, so I raise you another practice that Chevron has implemented since moving to Texas that just may be the kind of thing that folks can get on board with. Enter: The Boots.

For more than a decade, Republic Boot Company has been a staple in the Houston community. Located just a few miles from Memorial Park, the bespoke shoe shop is all charm.

As soon as you walk in, you're struck by the vibrant smell of fresh leather. Boots, hats, and all sorts of knickknacks adorn the walls of the saloon-like tavern that even has a little bar for folks to gather around. It's unabashedly Texas, and unlike anything I've ever seen before.

"We want to preserve Texas legacy. We are very proud of our stay here—and now that Chevron is here in Texas, we wanted to be a part of that," explained Blain "Coach" Jordan, one of the beloved members of the Republic Boot family. "The men get the green jacket [at the Masters], and we have our golden boots."

When the Chevron Championship moved to Houston four years ago, the critique surrounding the event was that it had no character or legacy to legitimize the major, and the Tour and the organizers heard that loud and clear—leading to Republic getting involved.

For the last three years, each winner in Texas received a pair of golden boots to commemorate their feat alongside the massive Chevron trophy.

The golden boots are meant to be trophy boots, not exactly made to be worn. But that said, immediately after the champion finishes, the Republic team takes the player's measurements and gets her input for them to build a custom pair of boots that will be made for her to wear.

Jordan (left) alongside Nelly Korda (right) after her win at the 2024 Chevron Championship. Images courtesy of Blain Jordan/Republic Boot Company.

Jordan with 2025 Chevron Champion Mao Saigo of Japan on the 18th green at Carlton Woods. Images courtesy of Blain Jordan/Republic Boot Company.

"We love seeing the growth of the LPGA, and we knew we wanted to be a part of it. This concept of the golden boots is something we hope becomes synonymous with other traditions we see. We want people to say, 'Hey, I'm playing for those boots'," Jordan details.

Traditions, much like the jump in the pond, don’t show up overnight—they’re built in moments like this. A little Houston flavor, a little imagination, and something fans can actually see and feel.

Now all that’s left? Seeing who earns the boots.