Masters Champions Dinners have been held since 1952. Ever since the defending champion has hosted previous champions for dinner at Augusta National Golf Club.
And like the golf tournament, it is definitely “a tradition unlike any other.”
The only way to eat at this dinner is to be a member of this exclusive Masters Club.
I lived in Augusta for a long time and I couldn’t even get inside the gates to watch the tournament. I am not surprised at all that the dinner is harder to get into than a top secret briefing at the White House.
Full disclosure. I am not a golf fan, but I am a fan of some good barbecue.
So, just for fun, I have created a list for the Masters Champions of Barbecue.
To be a champion all you have to do is serve BBQ at your dinner.
After reviewing several records of documented menus, I can say there are only 5 Masters Champions who put barbecue on the dinner menu. To me, they are the real champions
Keep reading to find out who they are.
The Masters Champions Dinners
The Masters Champions Dinner takes place on the Tuesday night before the start of the golf tournament. The Masters Tournament champions and club chairman get together to eat and (well no one really knows what else).
Where is that fly on the wall when you need him? Even the Masters has flies!
The defending champion hosts and gets to cover the tab.
There are no spouses or significant others. They don’t even let the media in!
Up until 1986, the dinner selection was put together from the standard menu at Augusta National. It consisted of beef, chicken or fish.
As the golf club began to realize that it was the 20th century, the menu was allowed to change. The champion usually creates a menu based on food from his home or a personal favorite.
The Masters Champions of BBQ Listed
The Masters Champions of BBQ are listed in chronological order based on the year they won the tournament. The menu for their dinners are provided too.
And since this is the Masters, you will be hard pressed to find another place in the world which serves food that tastes better.
1. Ben Crenshaw (1996)
Barbecue style: Texas
Dinner Menu:
- Certified Angus beef brisket
- St. Louis-style pork ribs
- Hill Country sausage
- Peach cobbler
Ben Crenshaw was born in Austin Texas. His menu choice is no surprise. I lived in Texas for 2 years and Texas BBQ is one of my favorites. It had to be a hit for the Masters crowd.
2. Phil Mickelson (2007)
Barbecue style: American
Dinner Menu:
- Barbecued ribs
- Chicken
- Sausage
- Pulled pork
- Cole slaw
This California native must have spent a lot of time in the Midwest or the deep south. That’s some good eating. Phil’s menu includes all of my favorites.
3. Angel Cabrera (2010)
Barbecue style: Argentinian Asado
Dinner menu:
- Chorizo
- Blood sausage
- Short ribs
- Beef filets
- Mollejas (sweet breads)
Angel Cabrera brought a traditional barbecue feast from his homeland to Augusta, GA. Asado is the unique grilling method used to cook Argentinian barbeque. Instead of spices and rubs coarse salt or brine are used to flavor the meat.
4. Charl Schwartzel (2012)
Barbecue style: South African Braai
Dinner Menu:
- Lamb chops
- Steaks
- Sausages
- Cheese assortment
- Sauteed sweet corn
- Green beans
- Dauphinoise potatoes
- Ice cream sundae
Charl Schwartzel is another Masters Champion that went with the home cooking.
A barbecue in South Africa is called a braai. The most important part of a braai is the fire. As a tradition, local wood is to give the meat a distinct flavor.
5. Jordan Spieth (2016)
BBQ Style: Texas
Dinner menu:
- Beef brisket
- Smoked half chicken
- Pork ribs
- BBQ baked beans
- Bacon and chive potato salad
- Sauteed green beans
- Grilled zucchini
- Roasted yellow squash
- Chocolate cookie with ice cream
This young Texan took the Masters by storm in 2015. What do you expect? He was born and raised in Texas. Another true champion who knows his stuff on and off the golf course.
Wrapping it Up
The Masters Champions Dinner gives all past champions the chance to celebrate over dinner with their peers.
The defending champion is the main attraction and is responsible for the menu.
We all know that barbecue is king in the deep south. All the champions of the Masters Golf Tournament who recognize this, can’t help but make BBQ the main dinner course.
But only five men have ever done so.
They are the real Masters Champions. Yep, that’s right. Hell to the Champions of Barbecue. For what it’s worth, I hope one of them wins the next 10 Masters golf tournaments.
For more BBQ insights and tips read our BBQ guides.
