Question: What is the Origin of the Champions Dinner?
What Augusta National officially calls the "Masters Club" is known to most golf fans as the "Champions Dinner." Each year, former Masters champs return to Augusta for the affair, which takes place on Tuesday night of tournament week. When did the Champions Dinner originate, and at whose suggestion?
Answer: The man behind the Champions Dinner is Ben Hogan, who suggested the first one in 1952 and hosted the inaugural Champions Dinner the following year.
The Champions Dinner has been held each year since. The "Masters Club" - the group of men who get to attend the Champions Dinner - is limited in membership to past Masters champions (there have been a few exceptions over the years, among them Bobby Jones, Clifford Roberts and ensuing club presidents).
The previous year's champion gets to select the menu and serves as host for the dinner. At the dinner, he is presented with an incribed gold locket as his welcome into the Masters Club.
Also See: Sample Menus from Past Champions Dinners
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