Goodbye, Dinah

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By Frank P

  • 7 Likes
  • 6 Replies
  1. Frank P

    Frank P
    Port St. Lucie, FL

    Military

    This week marks the final playing of the ANA Inspiration, known to us old timers as the Dinah Shore. The tournament began as the Colgate-Dinah Shore Winner's Circle in 1972 and was considered the Masters of the LPGA Tour. When it comes to celebrity promotion of golf, Dinah Shore was as big on the ladies' side, as Bob Hope was on the men's. Chevron has taken over the event and next year will move the event from it's 51 year home at Mission Hills CC in Rancho Mirage, CA, to a TBD club in the Houston, TX. I understand that several factors were involved in this decision, mainly financial (As usual), but in a sport built on tradition, another is about to pass into history. 1 more time, I'll watch the leader walk up the Champions Walkway and high-five Dinah Shore's statue, then take the leap into Poppie's Pond. Goodbye, Dinah.

  2. John G

    John G
    Napa, CA

    The LPGA Tour is losing a huge piece of history and one of the few remaining tournaments that has any personality to it. As usual it was driven by financial reasons and in 10 years when Chevron reevaluates and pulls its sponsorship, it will be given another name and probably move somewhere else. Definitely sad to see this tournament go, especially since I just bought a condo at Mission Hills. Hopefully they get another event as a replacement.
  3. Jeff M

    Jeff M
    North Carolina

    Will be sad to see it go, but looking forward to watching one last time. Do you think Koerstz Madsen can put herself in position to win again for the 3rd time in 3 events?
  4. Eric H

    Eric H
    Ridgway, PA

    I enjoy this tournament. It is a great way to start the major championship season, Change in golf can be a bummer ,maybe it will be better! Doesn't take away from the history that already happened!
  5. Abdon M

    Abdon M
    Northern California (because it's a big state)

    Interestingly enough, the prior sponsor was ANA which is based out of Japan and now that Chevron is the title sponsor of the event, they're moving it to Houston, TX. For those who don't know, Chevron is based out of California, specifically the Bay Area; they do have many operations in the Houston area for obvious reasons.

    It also appears the LPGA is looking at changing the date of the event to a post Masters timeframe because over the years with the addition of the Augusta National Women's Amateur and Drive, Chip and Putt events prior to the Masters, attention to the Dinah Shore has waned. I always thought #18 finishing hole was a great closer, there are multiple options for success and potential disasters as has been witnessed over the years. Of course, the dip into Poppie's Pond by the champion will be hard to duplicate at another venue. Hopefully, they keep that tradition in with Mission Hills and establish new ones.
  6. Chuck Z

    Chuck Z
    Mt Pleasant, SC

    Military
    Sponsors are the name of the game on the LPGA. We lost the LPGA here in the Charleston area because of lack of sponsorships. They tried for years to get them back but just could not. And to think BMW, Boeing, Mercedes, Volvo are all manufactured in SC. The money seems to follow the PGA. Sad. I love to watch the ladies play. They definitely got the game. =)
  7. John M

    John M
    Asheville, North Carolina

    Military
    It's a shame that this has to happen. I wonder if the Chevron tournament should be considered a "Major."

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