Craig Kessler ‘s first trip to Coachella Valley as the newly appointed LPGA Tour commissioner could mean a lot of things. As he stood there at the Indian Wells Golf Resort, watching the Epson Tour Championship’s season finale, the aesthetics bore deep into him. The Santa Rosa mountains framing the course, the crisp October weather, and the welcoming enthusiasm of the local golf community. Now, the idea of returning the LPGA Tour to the valley seems intriguing to him.

“This backdrop and this golf course—this is pretty special,” he said. “This valley has an incredibly rich history in women’s golf. If we have the opportunity with the right partners and the right golf course to do something here, it would be music to our ears.”

Three years ago, its signature major, the Chevron Championship,

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