A taste of victory - Champions Dinner Menus

It’s an annual tradition, an exclusive evening and an event which is full of intrigue to those not lucky enough to attend. The Masters Club – or the Masters Champions Dinner as it is more commonly known – is held on the Tuesday evening prior to the beginning of the first Major of the year and to receive an invite, you must be a previous winner or a member of Augusta National Golf Club.

The tradition began in 1952 when reigning champion Ben Hogan was joined by eight former winners and two honorary members and co-founders, Bobby Jones and Clifford Roberts.

Consisting of beef, chicken or seafood in early years, the tradition has since evolved with the reigning champion acting as host and choosing the menu for the evening.

Menus have ranged from Phil Mickelson’s barbecued ribs in 2007 to more exotic dishes such as Charl Schwartzel’s South African delicacy of sliced biltong and Boerwors with monkey gland sauce in 2012.

Danny Willett became Britain’s first Masters Champion for 20 years when he clinched the Green Jacket in 2016 with a three-shot win over Jordan Spieth and Lee Westwood.

Sheffield-born Willett retained his English roots when choosing his menu:

Mini cottage pies
‘Sunday Roast’ of prime beef rib, roasted potatoes, vegetables, Yorkshire pudding, gravy
Apple crumble
Coffee & tea
English cheese & biscuits

Jordan Spieth (2015 winner)

Jordan Spieth became the first wire-to-wire winner of the Masters since Raymond Floyd in 1976 when he opened with a brilliant 64 en route to an 18 under par total.

Like many winners, Spieth opted for a menu which represented his home town.

Local greens salad
Authentic Texas barbecue including beef brisket, pork ribs and smoked chicken
Warm chocolate chip cookie

Adam Scott (2013 winner)

Adam Scott became the first Australian winner of the Masters following a dramatic sudden death play-off win against Ángel Cabrera in 2013.

The pair were tied on nine under par at the end of the fourth round, but Scott triumphed on the second play-off hole with a superb birdie.

Artichoke and arugula salad with grilled calamari
Australian Wagyu New York Strip with Moreton Bay bugs, sautéed spinach, onion cream mashed potatoes
Strawberry and passion fruit pavlova

Tiger Woods (1997, 2001, 2002 and 2005 winner)

A young Tiger Woods became the youngest Masters winner in history – aged just 21 – when he blitzed the field with an astonishing 18 under par, 12 shots ahead of his nearest competitor,Tom Kite, in 1997.

In homage to becoming the youngest Masters Champion, Woods selected a typically modern menu.

Cheeseburger
Grilled chicken sandwich & fries
Strawberry and vanilla milkshakes
Strawberry shortcake

Sandy Lyle (1988 winner)

Sandy Lyle sunk a birdie putt on the 72nd hole at Augusta to secure a second Major with a one-shot victory over Mark Calcavecchia in 1988.

He celebrated his victory by choosing a menu most likely to be found in his native Scotland.

Jumbo lump crabmeat cocktail
Haggis (sheep innards) 
Neeps and tatties (mashed potato and mashed turnips)
Broiled pompano 

Selected other menus...

Phil Mickelson (2007):

Steamed oysters, boiled shrimp and crab,
Southern fried chicken, barbecue glazed baby-back ribs, slow-cooked barbecue beef brisket, grilled hot smoked sausage
Cole slaw, fried okra, potato salad, baked beans, green beans and creamed corn
Corn bread with honey butter
Vanilla ice cream

José María Olazábal (2000):

Tapas table
Solomillo de buey salsa bordelesa
French fried potatoes
Grilled wild mushrooms
Broiled grouper
Grilled lamb chop
Broiled chicken
Green beans
Double chocolate cake

Tiger Woods (2002):

Sushi and sashimi
Seasonal green salad
Prime Porterhouse steak
Grilled chicken breast
Mashed potatoes and steamed asparagus
Chocolate cake with ganache filling and vanilla ice cream

Bubba Watson (2015 and 2013):

Caesar salad with corn muffin
Grilled chicken breast with green beans, corn, mashed potatoes, mac & cheese
Confetti cake with vanilla ice cream