THE MASTERS
steeped in
TRADITION
The Golf Mag gives the lowdown on some of the more unique aspects of The Masters
By GARY LEMKE
For most avid golf watchers, attending The Masters at Augusta National is a bucket-list experience. Although official attendance figures aren’t released, it is estimated that around 40 000 spectators attend the Major each year.
The first-time visitor is usually blown away by Augusta, with a high percentage saying later they knew it was undulating ‘but nobody knows how undulating it is until they get there. The drop down at the 10th is much bigger than you think.’
What also stands out, among many things, is the manicured condition of the course and surrounds, while the lack of access to social media makes you feel as though you’re in a time warp!
If you’re fortunate enough to be heading at Augusta National, here’s a list of official dos and don’ts and what to expect when you get there.
GLOBAL GAME
At the 2022 Champions Dinner honouring Hideki Matsuyama, Gary Player surprised everyone by welcoming the 2021 winner in Japanese.
Just before the dinner started, Player asked Ben Crenshaw if he could share the role of welcoming the Masters Club’s newest member. ‘Gary was our first international champion, and he gave a speech in Japanese, where he welcomed Hideki as an international member,’ said Crenshaw.
Player told the table he had been to Japan 31 times, and learned the language over the years.
‘My jaw hit the floor when Gary started speaking,’ said Charles Coody. ‘And you could tell he spoke it well, too, because Hideki kept nodding with respect.’
X
NO
Running
Branded goods
Tipping
Suntanning
Ladders, periscopes and selfie sticks
Knives and weapons of any kind
Flags, banners and signs
Strollers (prams)
Food, beverages and coolers
Golf shoes with metal spikes
Sitting on the grass
Wearing caps backwards
Bags, backpacks and large purses
Chairs/seats with pointed ends, folding armchairs and rigid-type chairs
YES
Devices such as fitness
tracking bands and
electronic watches.
However, using them for phone calls, emails, text messaging and other photo, video or data recording is prohibited.
DINNER OF CHAMPIONS
Scottie Scheffler, 2025
Firecracker shrimp, cheeseburger sliders and Papa Scheff’s meatball & ravioli bites to start. First course of Texas-style chilli, and main course of cowboy ribeye or blackened redfish. Warm chocolate chip skillet cookie with vanilla bean ice-cream for dessert.
Jon Rahm, 2024
Featuring Spanish dishes, including acorn-fed Iberian ham, Idiazabal cheese and tortilla de patatas.
Scottie Scheffler, 2023
Firecracker shrimp and cheeseburger sliders to start. Main course of Texas ribeye steak or blackened redfish. Warm chocolate chip skillet cookie with milk and cookies ice-cream for dessert.
DID YOU KNOW?
The Champions Dinner tradition started in 1952, with the menu featuring a main course of beef, chicken or seafood. However, with the increase of international winners, the meal now reflects the champion’s tastes.
Hideki Matsunyama, 2022
Miso glazed black cod with dashi broth to start. Main course of A5 Wagyu beef ribeye with mixed mushrooms and vegetables, and sansho daikon ponzu. Japanese strawberry cheesecake for dessert.
Dustin Johnson, 2021
Garden salad or Caesar salad to start. Main course of prime filet mignon with mashed potatoes and spring vegetables, or miso marinated sea bass; peach cobbler and apple pie with vanilla ice-cream for dessert.
Tiger Woods, 2020
A sushi roll starter, then a mixed plate of steak and chicken, and a dessert trio of flan, churros and sopapillas, a Latin-inflected fried dough.
Patrick Reed, 2019
A choice of Caesar salad or wedge salad to start, with the main dish a prime bone-in cowboy ribeye with herb butter (mountain trout also available). Dessert choices: tiramisu, vanilla bean creme brulee, chocolate crunch and praline cheesecake.
Sergio Garcia, 2018
Starter of an ‘International salad’, with ingredients chosen to represent the countries of past Masters champions. The entree was arroz caldoso de bogavante, a traditional Spanish lobster rice. And for dessert, Garcia chose his mother’s recipe for tres leches cake, served with tres leches ice-cream.
Danny Willett, 2017
Mini cottage pies to start. A traditional ‘Sunday roast’ (prime rib, roasted potatoes and vegetables, Yorkshire pudding) for main, and apple crumble and vanilla custard for dessert.
Jordan Spieth, 2016
Salad of local greens to start; main course of Texas barbecue with sides of BBQ baked beans; bacon and chive potato salad; sauteed green beans; grilled zucchini and roasted yellow squash. Dessert of warm chocolate chip cookie served with vanilla ice-cream.
Bubba Watson, 2015 and 2013
Caesar salad to start. Entree of grilled chicken breast with sides of green beans, mashed potatoes, corn, macaroni and cheese, served with cornbread. Dessert of confetti cake and vanilla ice-cream.
Adam Scott, 2014
Started with artichoke and arugula salad with calamari. Main course was Australian Wagyu New York Strip steak, with Moreton Bay lobster. Strawberry and passion fruit pavlova, Anzac biscuit and vanilla sundae for dessert.
Charl Schwartzel, 2012
Seafood bar, which included shrimp, lobster, crabmeat, crab legs and oysters to start. The main course was a braai, which included lamb chops, steaks and boerewors. Vanilla ice-cream sundae for dessert.
DINNER TALES
One of the greatest traditions at The Masters is celebrated by the players.
Phil Mickelson, 2011
A Spanish-themed menu with seafood paella and machango-topped filet mignon as the entrees. Also included a salad course, asparagus and tortillas as sides, plus ice-cream-topped apple empanada for dessert.
Angel Cabrera, 2010
An Argentinian asado – a multicourse barbecue featuring chorizo, blood sausage, short ribs, beef fillets and mollejas (the thymus gland/sweetbreads).
Trevor Immelman, 2009
Bobotie, sosaties, spinach salad, milk tart and South African wines.
ERIK S LESSER/JUSTIN LANE/EPA/BACKPAGEPIX/AUGUSTA NATIONAL/THE MASTERS/INSTAGRAM
