“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.” This was the statement from the 2016 Chevron Championship winner, Lydia Ko, who has witnessed the change in name and venue together. Though some might not notice the change after decades of history at the same course, there was a strategic reason behind the switch.

The event, which began as a regular event in 1972, was founded by Colgate-Palmolive Chairman David Foster and entertainer Dinah Shore. It was originally named Colgate-Dinah Shore Winner’s Circle. However, starting in 1981, the name of the event saw some changes. Nine years after the original name, it was changed to Colgate-Dinah Shore. But the change did not last long, as the following year, Nabisco took over the partnership, resulting in a name change- Nabisco Dinah Shore Invitational. Soon enough, the event was added to the majors’ list.

The chain of changing names, which began in 1981, continued till 2022, resulting in 7 different names for the tournament, until the event got its current name, the Chevron Championship. Here’s a full breakdown of all the names:

But interestingly, in the long history of changes and acclaim, the event was played at the same venue, i.e., the Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage, California. But in October 2021, the venue got updated.

The Chevron Corporation and the LPGA agreed to a six-year sponsorship deal with an increased prize of $5 million in 2022. The agreement made a huge difference of $3 million from the past season. The partnership resulted in a new era of the tournament, with a new name, a different course, and a new date.

The name from ANA Inspiration was changed to the Chevron Championship, and the venue from the Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage, California, was changed to The Club at Carlton Woods in the Greater Houston area. Notably, the schedule change was also a strategic move that considered the amateurs. In 2019 and 2021, the Chevron and AWNA coincided, and many amateurs had to make a choice between the two. Considering the opportunity as the major event, the tournament was then scheduled for a different date.

But despite the strategically planned dates and venue, the golfer had a mixed reaction to it.

LPGA pro adapting to the change at the Chevron Championship

With the change in schedule, some golfers expressed their approval through words, while others showed it by choosing not to participate. Stacy Lewis, the US Team captain at the Solheim Cup, shared the usual practice. She said, “I hate to say it, but we’re used to doing it. We’re used to jumping back and forth across the country, and [it’s] just kind of part of it.” The long traveling schedule is what Lewis has made peace with, but not for others, as the approval from the 15-year tour veteran wasn’t enough motivation for other players.

The event in the first edition witnessed less enthusiasm as only four of the top 10 participated in the event, while seven of the 10 were part of the JTBC Classic, which teed off a week before. However, in 2022, the event faced the underwriter’s failure and was removed from the schedule. This came in as an opportunity for the Tour to reschedule the event with different dates. With no event to take over, the Chevron Championship was then scheduled for the second-to-last week of April.

Even after the schedule change, Danielle Kang shared about the difficulty in adaptation. She said, “Having been somewhere multiple times versus brand new, course knowledge just is not as easy [to learn]. But I really trust in my caddies with those things, and he does an amazing job. I’m sure he’s going to know the golf course better than I do.” Even the realisation and trust in the caddie has been a game-changer for her, the American professional finished T17 in 2022.

Well, away from the disagreement on the change, the event has now become one of the highest purse valued at the LPGA Tour. As of 2025, the prize purse stands at $7.9 million, which, at the beginning of the partnership, was $5 million. The first major of the LPGA Tour has been an adrenaline-filled event. Do you think it will be the same this year as well? Let us know in the comments below.