The Chevron Championship began as the Colgate-Dinah Shore Winner’s Circle back in 1972. Since then, its name has changed several times before becoming the Chevron Championship in 2022. But what remained constant throughout all these years was the venue where it was played. For around 50 years, the Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage, California, hosted the event. When Chevron and the LPGA entered a six-year deal for the first major on the LPGA schedule, they moved the venue to The Club at Carlton Woods in The Woodlands, Texas.

While this move was intended to elevate the event, things haven’t been going well so far. Although the new host successfully kept the tradition of jumping into the Poppie’s Pond alive, it failed miserably in other areas. The result? The LPGA is potentially changing the venue again. Golfweek has reported that multiple sources have confirmed that the event will move to the Memorial Park Golf Course in Houston from 2026.

“But what KPMG has done to keep elevating that championship, I believe that partners like Chevron and new partners or even partners that have been with the LPGA for a long time, they’re going to keep elevating it,” the 2016 Chevron Championship winner, Lydia Ko, said about the initial move from California to Texas. Many were worried that the tradition of the winner jumping into the Poppie’s Pond would die.

The Club at Carlton Woods dredged part of a large lake off the 18th green of the Jack Nicklaus Signature Course. They submerged pylons about 50 feet out and installed a net to keep alligators away. Thus, the tradition was alive. “I think Chevron and everyone involved in the tournament is doing an amazing job to kind of keep the traditions alive,” former World No. 1, Nelly Korda, told reporters in Texas.

However, the LPGA and fans soon found out that the venue was not at all spectator-friendly.

It drew widespread criticism for being difficult to access and navigate for fans. The course is located in a residential, wooded area of The Woodlands, Texas, which lacks infrastructure and public transport. Even when fans do arrive, they face navigation problems. The natural terrain and design of Carlton Woods limit fans’ ability to follow multiple holes or view key action areas. The sprawling, forested layout broke up groups of spectators, reducing crowd energy and engagement. Because of these issues, the attendance numbers suffered.

The 2025 Chevron Championship faced even more criticism.

A key issue arose from the 18th hole, where a grandstand was situated very close to the green. Several players hit shots into the grandstand area during the final, leading to “backstopping” situations. The balls bouncing off the grandstand affected play outcomes. Golf analyst Dan Rapaport strongly condemned this, saying, “It’s just the biggest no-brainer of all-time. We can’t have backstopping winning this tournament.”

Chevron had played its part. It increased the prize pool, and LPGA stars were getting good treatment on the course. So the dropping of the ball falls to the LPGA Tour and the company running the event, IMG. And what did the LPGA do?

It decided to reshape authority ahead of the next major. Matt Chmura, the LPGA’s Chief Marketing, Communications, and Brand Officer, who played a central role in the relocation of the Chevron Championship, resigned in May 2025. His departure came amid growing dissatisfaction from fans and the broader golf community.

The LPGA brought Roberta Bowman, a former LPGA Board member and Chief Brand and Communications Officer, to the table again. Now that a new member has joined the team, the LPGA is changing the venue again. This time, the venue will move to Memorial Park Golf Course in Houston. It may end the Poppie’s Pond tradition unless someone gets creative. However, the Memorial Park Golf Course is home to the PGA Tour’s Texas Children’s Houston Open. Thus, the LPGA can draw on the course layout for the PGA Tour event.

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The Memorial Park Golf Course in Houston, Texas

Memorial Park Golf Course in Houston, Texas, is an iconic municipal golf course with deep historical roots and modern championship features. It was initially a 9-hole sand green course established in 1912 at Camp Logan for convalescent soldiers. However, the management expanded it into an 18-hole layout in 1936. Renowned golf architect John Bredemus redesigned it. He said the Memorial Park Golf Course was one of his best designs.

The course has hosted prestigious events such as the Houston Open multiple times between 1947 and 1963. These tournaments drew legendary golfers like Arnold Palmer and Jack Burke Jr. It underwent a major $34 million renovation led by golf architect Tom Doak, with PGA Tour player consultant Brooks Koepka.

The renovation team upgraded the course to meet championship standards while preserving Bredemus’ original design principles. Improvements include removing trees and bunkers to enhance play and speed up turf recovery, and adding a double-decker night-lit driving range and a First Tee facility focused on youth education.

The Chevron Championship’s planned move to Memorial Park signals a fresh chance to fix past issues and rebuild trust with fans. The LPGA can now create an experience that feels smoother, more welcoming, and worthy of a major championship.