Hello Friends,

Birds chirping, azaleas blooming, and the welcoming docile tone of Jim Nantz. Today we return to Augusta for a tradition unlike any other. Augusta National and The Masters is truly a special event as it is the first major of the year and gets us golfers up in the Northeast from a flop wedge to a 7-wood...5-wood...okay 3-wood on a good day.

One of the most unique parts about the Masters is the Champions Dinner. Started back in 1952 by Ben Hogan, the tradition is as follows: The Tuesday prior to the tournament, the previous winner hosts all past champions at a dinner in the clubhouse, designing the entire menu and addressing their peers with a speech.

Sometimes they elect to go with something that represents their home country, like last year's winner Jon Rahm and their Chuletón a la Parrilla, and sometimes they just choose something they like, like when Phil won in '07 and just served ribs and pulled pork.

Throughout the years, there have been a variety of menus varying from the highest of high-class dishes to food you might get at the turn. Let's break down the top five since '85.

5) Coming in at number 5, I got the BBQ boys; maybe not fair to do a tie, but all three did it a little differently in their own way. First up, Ben Crenshaw, who won in a playoff in 1995 with a -14, posting a 68 on Sunday.

Ben Crenshaw, 1996: Texas barbecue.

Phil won his second Masters in 2006, beating Tim Clark by two and shooting a 69 on Sunday (nice) with his only bogey coming on 18 that day after it had been locked up. Unlike his first Champions Dinner when Phil leaned into the pomp and circumstance of the event with Lobster Ravioli, Mickelson went with something more simple and less expensive (yes, the champions pay for the dinner).

Phil Mickelson, 2007: Barbecued ribs, chicken, sausage, and pulled pork, with coleslaw.

Also, knowing what we know about Phil, you might wonder if the Steelers covering the -4 at Super Bowl XL impacted his budget.

The best to bring BBQ to Augusta National clubhouse was young Jordan Spieth, who ran away with the tournament in 2015 after a disappointing 2nd place in 2014. Spieth brought out the sides and the variety.

Jordan Spieth, 2016: Salad of local greens; main course of Texas barbecue (beef brisket, smoked half chicken, pork ribs); sides of BBQ baked beans, bacon and chive potato salad, sauteed green beans, grilled zucchini, roasted yellow squash; dessert of warm chocolate chip cookie, vanilla ice cream.

4) In the “Fore” spot we have Aussie Adam Scott, who took Angel Cabrera to the 2nd hole of a sudden-death playoff. After not going down and finshing nine under, the golfer from down under leaned into his heritage with a robust surf and turf menu.

Adam Scott, 2014: Surf-and-turf on the grill, including Moreton Bay 'bugs' (lobster). Started with an appetizer of artichoke and arugula salad with calamari. The main course of Australian Wagyu beef New York Strip steak, served with Moreton Bay lobster, sauteed spinach, onion cream mashed potatoes. Desserts of strawberry and passion fruit pavlova, Anzac biscuit, and vanilla sundae.

3) Our bronze Champions dinner is going back to Lefty, who went with a Spanish-inspired menu that featured both paella and a filet beating out Jose Olazabal's uninspired ass who just served paella in '95.

Phil Mickelson, 2011: A Spanish-themed menu with seafood paella and manchego-topped filet mignon as the entrees. Also includes a salad course, asparagus, and tortillas as sides, plus ice cream-topped apple empanada for dessert.

2) Our runner-up has to go to the GOAT at two. Young Tiger was just 21 when he set the record for the youngest Masters Champion in '97, shooting the tournament record at the time, a 270. Before all of the success and fame and Perkins waitress, the kid kept it humble with burgers, fries, and milkshakes.

Tiger Woods, 1998: Cheeseburgers, chicken sandwiches, french fries, milkshakes.

1) The best menu served at the Masters Champions Dinner is the 2022 champ Scottie Scheffler, who asked if they could just go to a Chili's instead, and when turned down, he brought the Chili's to them. I love the simple yet diverse offerings provided by Scheffler and his Scottie-style tweak to sliders (it is just fries on them).

Scottie Scheffler, 2023: Cheeseburger Sliders (served Scottie style) and Firecracker Shrimp with Sweet Thai Chili and Sriracha Mayo appetizers; Tortilla Soup – Avocado, Crispy Blue Tortilla Strips, Sour Cream, Cilantro, Lime, to start; Main course of Texas Ribeye Steak or Blackened Redfish served with Family Style Mac and Cheese, Jalapeno Creamed Corn, Fried Brussels Sprouts, Seasoned Fries; Warm Chocolate Chip Skillet Cookie with Milk and Cookies Ice Cream for dessert.

So there we have it. The best Champions menus from the last forty years. What will they dine on next year? Can Scheffler or Rahm repeat? What would Brooks serve? Can DJ repeat? would all the serving plates double as mirrors for their preferred extracurriculars? Who knows, but we are in "fore" a fun few days, Friends. Enjoy it.

More Dinners of the Past