70 years ago, “Bantam” Ben Hogan proposed the Masters Champions Dinner, a tremendous tradition used to honor current and past Masters Champions. As one may expect, this exclusive dinner is only attended by those who have earned the write to don the green jacket.
While this dinner occurs every year, the menu is always changing! As is tradition, the champion from the previous year is in charge of picking out the menu. Over the years, we’ve seen a plethora of menus from past champions that range from “normal”, to “maybe I’d try that”, and even to “yeah, I’ll pass”.
The 2022 Masters Champions Menu
Last years Masters champion Hideki Matsuyama, (who is currently battling a neck injury), rolled out an impressive and intriguing menu for the 2022 Masters Dinner. He kicks off the meal with assorted sushi, sashimi, and nigiri yakitori chicken skewers. When it comes to sushi, I’m not the most ambitious. I’ll stick with a simple California roll, but it is awesome to see the Japanese golfer infuse his culture into the tradition.
For dinner Matsuyama is really breaking the bank. He pairs miso glazed black cod with Miyazaki Wagyu steaks, the top brand of Japanese Wagyu known for its quality and consistency. A twist on your traditional surf ‘n turf. On the side of this delectable meal is mixed mushrooms which I’d pass on, and assorted vegetables. To sweeten the deal, he caps off his extravagant dinner with Japanese strawberry shortcake; fluffy sponge cake with whipped cream and Amaou strawberries, the pride and joy of Japanese strawberries.
I Think I’ll Pass: Questionable Menu’s from past dinners..
While this years menu looks great, there have been some questionable choices from the past. For example, look at Sandy Lyle’s 1989 menu selection. The Scottish sportsman rolled out a meal of haggis and mashed turnips. WHAT! I don’t know if I’d plug my nose and power through.. or just order a filet and mashed potatoes off the Masters menu.
Another odd ball meal choice would have to be Trevor Immelman’s 2009 menu. This one I’d definitely CONSIDER trying more than Lyle’s haggis based dreck. Immelman brought out a South African meal to represent his heritage. Bobotie, a spiced minced meat pie topped with eggs and sosaties, a version of chicken skewers headlined the night. Immelman included a spinach salad along with South African wines to round out dinner and ended the night with Milk Tart, a South African pie/cake with sweet crust and milk custard. I’m all in for the dessert, but meat pie makes me a bit skeptical.
Get Me To The Front Of The Buffet Line: Best Masters Dinner Menu Items
While there have been some dinners I’d want to heavily avoid, there are plenty that I would have wanted to be front and center for. After Tiger won his first Masters in 1997, he rolled out an untraditional meal for some of golfs greats in 1998; cheeseburgers, chicken sandwiches, french fries, and milkshakes. I would give my left testicle to drink a chocolate shake next to Fred Couples and eat a burger at the same table as Jose Maria Olazabal. What an experience that would be, my God.
Another dinner that I’d kill to be at would be Mike Weir’s 2004 Champions dinner. The Canuck handicapper Weir won his one and only major in 2003 at Augusta and brought a tasty twist to past winners. He deployed a banquet of elk, wild boar, and arctic char to the table; interesting but it sounds amazing. For a beverage for the diners, Weir unfurled Canadian beer. Imagine slugging Labatt Blue with Ben Crenshaw and Sir Nick Faldo; that’d be ridiculous.
What Would I Roll Out For My Masters Champions Dinner?
Now let’s say hypothetically I won the Masters at +26 and could assemble my own Champions Dinner, here’s what I’d go with. To kick things off, I’d deploy a spread of chicken wings, only drum sticks, no flats; buffalo, honey barbecue, and garlic parm. I want to see Patrick Reed and Danny Willett dodge getting sauce on their illustrious green jackets.
On the entree front, I’d rock with something that definitely doesn’t pair with chicken wings; surf ‘n turf. I’m a filet guy so I’ll go with a nice 12oz. filet coupled with grilled shrimp. As side dishes, I’d present a loaded baked potato, steamed broccoli, and roasted corn. Then for dessert, I’m copying Jordan Spieth and rolling out a warm chocolate chip cookie topped with vanilla ice cream and hot fudge sauce. You might be bloated after, but it’s a damn good meal.
Tonight, a multitude of past champions will gather after those in the field finish skimming the water on the 16th hole for a Japanese feast. I’ll argue with you until I’m blue in the face that there is no tradition in sports greater than the Masters Champions Dinner. The greatest weekend of the year is off to an awesome start.