By Brittany Wynne, World Golf Hall of Fame & Museum
Not many would have thought that a simple leap into a pond would spawn a rich and fulfilling tradition associated with a win at the women’s first Major Championship of the year, the ANA Inspiration. But that is precisely what happened in 1988 at the then-Nabisco Dinah Shore when Hall of Fame member Amy Alcott captured the title after posting the best back-to-back second and third rounds ever seen at the tournament.
Deemed “Amy All-Conquering,” she shot a tournament record 14-under-par 274 to win by two shots over Colleen Walker. After tapping in her final putt on the 18th green, Alcott urged caddie Bill Kurre to “let it rip.” Not a moment later, they were surrounded by the waters of Poppie’s Pond with the “splash heard ‘round the world.”
VIDEO: Amy Alcott Jumps into Poppie’s Pond at 1988 Nabisco Dinah Shore
“It was a totally unplanned moment that has turned out to be one of the most significant moments in women’s golf,” said Alcott. “We just decided to embrace the moment and jump. I will always remember that.”
While the leap into Poppie’s Pond may now be considered one of the all-time greatest traditions in women’s golf, it didn’t start out that way. In fact, the pond remained unruffled until Alcott won again in 1991, taking the most famous leap alongside Kurre and fellow Hall of Fame member Dinah Shore herself.
Reflecting back on that jump, Alcott recalled, “I had recently lost my mom and Dinah told me before the tournament even started that she wanted to jump in with me after I won. It was such a deeply spiritual and special moment when I did win, and we jumped in together.”
Donna Andrews, who won the 1994 tournament after a two-shot swing on the 72nd hole between her and Hall of Fame member Laura Davies, took a leap into the pond in Dinah Shore’s memory. Dinah had passed away from ovarian cancer just one month before the 1994 Championship. In that instant, the tradition stuck.
The pond received its official name in honor of Terry Wilcox, the longtime tournament director, as he was commonly known as “Poppie” by his seven grandchildren.
Five Hall of Fame members have graced the depths of Poppie’s Pond a total of nine times including Amy Alcott (1988, 1991), Patty Sheehan (1996), Betsy King (1997), Karrie Webb (2000, 2006) and Annika Sorenstam (2001, 2002, 2005). Each leap is unique as the winners switch up their entry into the water, be it a cannonball, cartwheel, or even an Olympic-quality dive down under as Webb showcased in 2000.
It remains to be seen who will have the privilege of diving into Poppie’s Pond this year in a ritual that commemorates some of the world’s greatest golfers.
