The MOST EXCLUSIVE DINNER INVITE IN THE WORLD OF SPORT!!

How Jon Rahm upheld the Augusta Tradition with some Home Cooking.

The Champions Dinner at Augusta National Golf Club is a cherished tradition that dates back to 1952. Let me take you through the story behind this exclusive event:

Inception and Purpose:

• The idea for the Champions Dinner was proposed by Ben Hogan, one of golf’s legendary figures.
• In 1952, Hogan invited all past Masters champions to dine together.
• He envisioned creating a club of Masters winners, fostering camaraderie and celebrating their shared achievement.
• Bobby Jones and Clifford Roberts, the tournament’s co-founders, were included as honorary members.

This exclusive event is held on the Tuesday evening before each Masters Tournament begins and is attended only by past champions of the tournament and certain board members of the Augusta National Golf Club.

The tradition was initiated by Ben Hogan, who, during his tenure as the reigning Masters champion, proposed the idea of hosting a dinner for all past champions of the tournament. The idea was warmly received, and thus, the Champions Dinner became an annual occurrence, serving as a means to celebrate the tournament’s history, its champions, and the spirit of camaraderie and respect that defines the game of golf.

At the Champions Dinner, the menu is traditionally chosen by the most recent Masters champion, (who is also responsible for footing the bill). This tradition allows the reigning champion to add a personal touch to the evening, with many opting to feature dishes from their home countries or personal favorites, thereby adding to the uniqueness and global appeal of the event. Over the years, the dinner menus have showcased a wide variety of cuisines, reflecting the diverse backgrounds of the champions.

The Champions Dinner is held in the Augusta National Golf Club’s clubhouse and remains a private affair, steeped in exclusivity and tradition. It is one of the many customs that contribute to the reverence many hold for the Masters Tournament, allowing past champions to share stories, foster friendships, and pass on the legacy of the game to future generations. This event is just one example of how the Masters Tournament honors its history and champions while celebrating the global nature of golf.

This years event was also a poignant affair as the Spanish Champion held his Champions Dinner on the Birthday of probably the Greatest Spanish Golfer ever and certainly one of the greatest of all time Seve Ballesteros who would have been present having won the Masters in 1980 and 1983. Yesterday would have been his 67th birthday.

JON RAHM’s HOMAGE TO SPAIN AND HIS GRANDMA

The menu below was a homage to Spain and ‘Mama Rahm’.

SOME NOTABLE CHAMPIONS MENUS FROM THE PAST

1989 – Sandy Lyle (Scotland): Haggis, Neeps, and Tatties, followed by Apple Pie. A nod to Lyle’s Scottish heritage.

1997 – Nick Faldo (England): Tomato Soup, Fish and Chips, and Apple Crumble. Classic British cuisine.

1998 – Tiger Woods (USA): Cheeseburgers, Chicken Sandwiches, French Fries, and Strawberry & Vanilla Milkshakes. A casual American favorite.

2001 – Vijay Singh (Fiji): Seafood Tom Kah, Chicken Panang Curry, Baked Sea Scallops with Garlic Sauce, Rack of Lamb with Yellow Kari Sauce, Baked Fillet Chilean Sea Bass with Three Flavor Chili Sauce, Lychee Sorbet. A lavish feast featuring flavors from Fiji and Thailand.

2004 – Mike Weir (Canada): Elk, Wild Boar, Arctic Char, Canadian Beer. A taste of Canadian wilderness.

2005 – Phil Mickelson (USA): Lobster Ravioli in Tomato Cream Sauce, Caesar Salad, Garlic Bread. An Italian-American delight.

2007 – Tiger Woods (USA): Mexican cuisine featuring Stuffed Jalapeños, Quesadillas, Guacamole, Tacos, and Flan. Woods chose a menu reflecting his mother’s Thai heritage in 2006 and opted for a Mexican feast in 2007.

2009 – Trevor Immelman (South Africa): Babotie with Yellow Rice, Boerewors with Monkey Gland Sauce, South African Wines. A South African specialty.

2011 – Phil Mickelson (USA): Spanish-themed menu with Seafood Paella, Machango-topped Filet Mignon, and Sangria. A tribute to Seve Ballesteros.

2013 – Bubba Watson (USA): Grilled Chicken Breast, Green Beans, Mashed Potatoes, Corn, Macaroni & Cheese, served with Confetti Cake. Classic Southern comfort food.

2015 – Adam Scott (Australia): Australian Wagyu Beef, Moreton Bay Bugs (a type of lobster), and Pavlova for dessert. A luxurious Aussie feast.

2016 – Jordan Spieth (USA): Texas Barbecue – Brisket, Chicken, Pork Ribs with Baked Beans, and Cornbread. A taste of Texas.

2018 – Sergio Garcia (Spain): International salad inspired by ingredients representing countries of past Masters champions, Traditional Spanish Lobster Rice, and Angela Garcia’s Tres Leches Cake. A Spanish feast with a personal touch.

2019 – Patrick Reed (USA): Bone-in Ribeye, Mac and Cheese, Creamed Spinach, Steamed Broccoli, Caesar Salad, Tiramisu. A hearty American meal.

2021 – Dustin Johnson (USA): Pigs in a Blanket, Lobster & Corn Fritters, Peach Cobbler, and Apple Pie. A menu that blended simple pleasures with upscale twists.

Some Champions Dinner Trivia

• The youngest player to have selected a menu for the Champions Dinner was Tiger Woods after winning his first Green Jacket in 1997 at the age of 21.
• The oldest player is Jack Nicklaus, who won in 1986 at the age of 46.
• Dustin Johnson had less than five months to plan his Champions Dinner menu after winning the Masters in November of 2020. The event was postponed to November because of the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2021 event took place in its traditional month of April.
• If a past champion does not want to eat from the chosen menu they can order from the regular menu at Augusta National, which typically includes varieties of chicken, steak, and seafood.
• In 1989, Sandy Lyle wore a traditional Scottish kilt to the dinner, of which he was the outgoing champion and host.
• Byron Nelson was reportedly thrilled with Tiger Woods’ selection of burgers and fries in 1998 because he wasn’t allowed to eat that at home.
• In 2011, Phil Mickelson paid homage to Seve Ballesteros with his traditional Spanish menu. Ballesteros was battling cancer and sadly passed the following month.
• In 2018, Sergio Garcia had International Salad, which featured flavors from all origins of Masters champions. He also had his wife, Angela’s, tres leches cake.
• Bubba Watson’s menus in 2013 and 2015 were identical as were Nick Faldo’s in 1990 and 1991.