Augusta, GA. What’s one thing Lee Trevino, Greg Norman, Johnny Miller and Rory McIlroy have in common? None won a Masters green jacket – although Rory plans to change that situation this week.
Each of the aforementioned will also not be invited to a special gathering carried out each Tuesday of Masters week — the champions dinner.
Masters tickets are famously among the most difficult to secure. However, one can’t purchase a ticket to the champions dinner – entry is only given when securing a green jacket first.
Since 1952, the Augusta National Golf Club has set aside Tuesday evening as the time when all past green jacket recipients gather for the annual Champions Dinner.
Two-time Masters winner Ben Hogan came up with the idea and on April 4, 1952, nine past winners assembled along with club founder Bob Jones and Masters Chairman Clifford Roberts present.
Served in honor of Mr. Scottie Scheffler. #themasters pic.twitter.com/24VayDZhgs
— The Masters (@TheMasters) March 19, 2025
Ben Hogan served as the Masters Club Host for the first four years—twice after having won the event. In 1956, Byron Nelson took on the role and held it through 2005.
As Nelson aged and had limited mobility, he asked Ben Crenshaw, a fellow Texan, and two-time winner to take on the role as master of ceremonies. The defending champion sits at the head of the table, with the Masters Club Host on one side and the Chairman (Fred Ridley) on the other side.
The defending champion has the honor in selecting the menu for the event and over the years there’s been a wide array of food choices. Tiger Woods, after winning the ‘97 Masters at age 21, decided upon cheeseburgers, grilled chicken sandwiches, French fries, strawberry and vanilla milkshakes and strawberry shortcake.
Some of the choices can be a bit beyond the ordinary palate. When Scotsman Sandy Lyle won the ‘88 Masters, he dressed in full Scottish regalia with a kilt. His selection for the ’89 menu was a staple from his home country: haggis—minced sheep organs. Not exactly mouthwatering.
Although the immediate past winner does select the menu, it’s not unusual for those gathered to select regular food items off the main menu. While Lyle relished the haggis nearly everyone else bolted quickly for other choices.
When Vijay Singh prepared the menu for the 2001 dinner he served chicken panang curry—a Thai-themed feast—that also include dseafood Tom Kha, a Chilean sea bass with chili, and a rack of lamb with yellow kari sauce that he asked the chef to make milder than usual to better appeal to the other guests.
The gathering marks an assemblage of golf’s royalty, stretching back in time. When Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus won their first Masters in 1958 and 1963 respectively, the likes of Gene Sarazen, Jimmy Demaret, Sam Snead, Byron Nelson and Ben Hogan constituted the senior members. Now Nicklaus, Gary Player and Tom Watson are the biggest of names from the near distant past having won a collective 11 Masters titles.
Two-time Masters winner Bubba Watson remembers his first time as host and was nearly speechless when looking out over the group of fellow green jacket winners.
Snead was renowned for recounting a few a racy stories. The three-time winner was also known for demonstrating a high-kick that could touch the top of a doorway.
Hogan also commissioned the creation of a gold locket to present to each winner. The three-piece locket, measuring 1½ inches by 1 inch, is formed in the shape of the Augusta National Golf Club logo. Inside is a silhouette of the clubhouse and the champion’s name. On another side, it reads, “Ben Hogan, founder of the Masters Club.”
The seating arrangements are informal but generally the “junior” winners respect their older colleagues. Seniority does have its privileges.
Crenshaw’s role is a simple one: welcome all present and then introduce the defending champion for a few words and present him with a gold medal for his success the year prior.
The overall feel of the gathering has also evolved. Until Player won in 1961, no non-American had earned a green jacket. Now, the room is a good mixture of different parts of the world. Ángel Cabrera, won in 2009 and became the first Argentinian and South American winner. Adam Scott received his dinner invitation after winning in 2013 — becoming the first Aussie to enter the Tuesday festivities.
There was concern when LIV Golf entered the pro golf scene in 2022 and past champions Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson, Patrick Reed, Bubba Watson, Sergio Garcia and Charl Schwartzel would then find themselves in a room with those who had remained loyal to the PGA Tour. Nonetheless, the two sides found common purpose in being at the annual dinner.
The 2024 Champions Dinner portrait. #themasters pic.twitter.com/wT5sUChP10
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 10, 2024
The only real public linkage comes from an official photo of those gathered. The overall cost for the dinner is borne by the honoree – the current champion. Given the variety of food and drink combinations the final tab can quickly escalate.
The Masters has always been keen to celebrate the past achievements of former winners. Until 2004, past champions could play in the event regardless of age—the cut-off now is 65. The Tuesday gathering provides one of those rare moments when past and present are linked and forever honored.
Yes, bring your appetite. However, if you’re not wearing a green jacket – you’ll need to make reservations elsewhere.
