Masters Champions Dinner: How It Came Into Existence and Who Attends It

The Masters golf tournament is the most prestigious event on the calendar. Fans all around the world untie in excitement when the best golfers in the world enter the field at Augusta National. But before the tournament begins, there is a major tradition that is hosted, which is the Masters Champions Dinner. 

A lot of people might be familiar with this, but others won’t. Don’t worry, because we have got both sections covered. For golf enthusiasts who have no idea what the Masters Champions Dinner is, it is one of the most exclusive dinner tables one can be a part of. 

Masters Champions Dinner: Before every tournament at the Augusta National, the previous year’s Masters champion organizes a dinner. Now, this is no ordinary dinner. You’d have to be a Masters winner in the past, or an important member of the Augusta National Golf Club to receive an invite to the champion’s dinner. 

This is such an exclusive list. For example, Dustin Johnson hosted the 2021 Masters champions dinner on Tuesday night and invited all the past champions and significant members of the Augusta National. Even Johnson’s caddie did not receive an invite. Such is the significance of the tradition. 

The previous year’s champion is always tasked with hosting the dinner and he is also given the liberty to decide the menu for the champions dinner.

Masters Champions Dinner: How the tradition came into existence 

When one thinks about the Masters, the word that always pops onto the mind is “tradition.” The Augusta National holds the reputation as one of the best golf courses in the world because it has been existing since the 1930s. Besides that, the quality of the tournament has never come down, ever. 

Everything needs a start. Likewise, the Masters Champions Dinner was not in existence when the tournament was first played in 1934. Now, we are entering the 85th edition of the Masters and the term ‘Champions Dinner’ has become much prevalent. 

The Masters Champions Dinner was first started in 1952 by Ben Hogan. It is officially known as the Masters Club Dinner, and every past champion is eligible to join the table each year at the Augusta National.

What did Dustin Johnson serve at the dinner in 2021?

Dustin Johnson won the 2020 Masters with a record score of 20-under par. But less than five months later, he’s once again back at Augusta National to defend his crown. However, Johnson was excited about hosting his first Champions Dinner on Tuesday night. 

Here’s a look at what Dustin Johnson served as part of the menu: filet mignon, sea bass, and peach cobbler

A glance at some of the celebrated Masters Champions Dinner menus

There have been some incredible celebrations during the Masters Champions Dinner in the past. A lot of golfers have set some iconic menus that will forever be remembered. Here’s three of them from the recent past: 

Patrick Reed (2019): Caesar salad, wedge salad, prime bone-in cowboy ribeye, macaroni and cheese, creamed spinach, steamed broccoli, corn creme brûlée, cheesecake.

Adam Scott (2014): Artichoke and arugula salad with calamari, Australian Wagyu beef New York Strip steak, Moreton Bay Bugs (Australian lobster), sauteed spinach, onion cream mashed potatoes, strawberry and passion fruit pavlova, Anzac biscuit, and vanilla sundae.

Vijay Singh (2001): Chicken Panang curry, baked Chilean sea bass, rack of lamb in yellow curry sauce, and sea scallops in a pepper garlic sauce. (Prepared by a chef Singh brought in from Atlanta).

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