Countdown to the Masters 2011 – Day 31: The first champions dinner in 1952
Published: Last updated:
Welcome to Day 31 of the Today’s Golfer Countdown to The Masters 2011. Every day from February 17th until the big day when the season’s first Major tees off, April 7th, we will be bringing you some of our favourite memorable moments from The Masters since the tournament started in 1934.
This was the year that another Augusta tradition was started; a dinner hosted by the defending champion. In 1952, the defending champion was Ben Hogan, and the dinner was intended to honour the past champions of the tournament. At the time, 15 Masters Tournaments had taken place, and the 11 Champions were officially known as the ‘Masters Club’; and the club’s Chairman is an honorary member of this elite band.
As host, the defending champion always selects the menu; but usually there are several other dishes on the menu (rather than simply the defending champion’s chosen courses) so that no one goes hungry.
When, for instance, Sandy Lyle produced ‘Haggis, neaps and tatties’ in 1989; not many of the past champions were reported to have partaken.
Germany’s Bernhard Langer went for a patriotic choice as well, after both his victories in 1985 and 1993. In 1986, ‘German Spatzle Noodles’ were on the menu; while eight years later, it was ‘Marinated beef and Spatzle Noodles’.
In 1984, Seve went with ‘Spanish Omelette and Steak’, while his countryman, Jose Maria Olazabal produced ‘Hake in Green Sauce with Basil and Garlic’ in 1995.
And Nick Faldo has treated them to ‘Steak and Kidney Pie with Sherry Trifle’ (1990), ‘Roast Beef and Yorkshire Pudding’ (1991) and ‘Fish and Chips followed by Jam Pudding’ (1997)
Augusta native Larry Mize was the only player not to choose a main meal. Instead he went with the archetypal Georgian desert ‘Peach Cobbler’.
Tiger Woods, of course, has had four opportunities to host the dinner; and his choices have been wide and varied, all improvements on his first year (1998) when he served up ‘Cheeseburgers, Fries and Milkshakes’.
RETURN TO THE MASTERS COUNTDOWN >>>
