One of the most unique traditions in golf is undoubtedly the Champions Dinner at Augusta National the week of Masters Tournament.
The exclusive evening has been an annual tradition since 1952 after Ben Hogan, the 1951 Masters winner, invited all past Masters champions to dine together. At the time Hogan proposed that a club of Masters winners be formed. Since then, the winner from the previous year has acted as host and selected a menu for all previous Green jacket winners. At the beginning, the Masters Club was given three options for dinner: steak, chicken or fish. Since the mid-1980s, champions have picked their own meal with many weird and wonderful choices gracing the tables of the Augusta National clubhouse. Here, we take a look at some of those delicious delights.
Hideki Matsuyama – 2022
Hideki Matsuyama honoured his home country of Japan last year by selecting a menu that included sushi and sashimi appetizers, miso-glazed black cod and A5 Wagyu beef ribeye entrees and fluffy Japanese strawberry shortcake for dessert. “I had no idea what route he was going to go, and I’m excited to shake his hand and say thank you at the end of the night,” said two-time Masters champion Jordan Spieth ahead of Matsuyama’s meal.
Dustin Johnson – 2021
The 2020 Masters winner Dustin Johnson set a menu of classic American cuisine which paid homage to his home state of South Carolina. Pigs in a Blanket and Lobster & Corn Fritters were served as an appetizer followed by a choice between prime filet mignon or miso-marinated sea bass. Peach cobbler and apple pie with vanilla ice cream was served for dessert.
Danny Willett – 2017
Danny Willett chose a classically English meal to celebrate his unlikely victory in 2016. The meal started with mini cottage pies followed by a traditional Sunday Roast, consisting of prime rib, roasted potatoes and vegetables, Yorkshire pudding and gravy. For dessert the past Masters champions ate apple crumble with vanilla custard, followed by coffee and Yorkshire tea, English cheese and biscuits.
Jordan Spieth – 2016
The talented culinary staff at Augusta National whipped up a traditional Texas BBQ to celebrate Jordan Spieth’s victory. Honouring his home state, the Texan went for brisket, chicken, pork ribs, BBQ baked beans, corn muffins as well as bacon and chive potato salad and veggies. The meal was completed with a warm chocolate chip cookie and vanilla ice cream to finish.
Bubba Watson – 2013 & 2015
Bubba Watson served the same meal at both of his Masters Champions Dinners in 2013 and 2015 and it didn’t take him too long to think about. “It took me about 30 seconds to come up with the menu … I went with what I wanted. I don’t give a damn about other people,” said Watson at the time. The menu included a traditional Caesar salad, an entree course of grilled chicken with green beans, corn, mashed potatoes, and mac & cheese and confetti cake with vanilla ice cream for dessert.
Phil Mickelson – 2011
Having previously served lobster and rib at his two prior Champions Dinners, Phil Mickelson went down a different route in 2011 to honour Seve Ballesteros, who couldn’t attend due to his battle with cancer. Golf’s greatest players tucked into seafood paella and machango-topped filet mignon for an entree. It also had a salad, asparagus and tortillas for side dishes. For dessert? A cream-topped apple empanada.
Tiger Woods – 1998
Tiger’s first opportunity to supply the menu came in 1998, a year after becoming the youngest Masters champion on history at the age of 21. His tastes back then represented his youthfulness with cheeseburgers, chicken sandwiches, French fries and milkshakes featuring prominently! Since then Woods has branched out and served up quesadillas, fajitas, porterhouse steaks and sushi.
