The Masters Champions Dinner in 1958.Photo: Augusta National/Getty
The2022 Masters Tournamentkicks off this week at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia, along with a series of time-honored traditions.
WithHideki Matsuyama— the first Japanese pro to win the Masters — hosting his first Masters Dinner this week, here are five things to know about the event.
Ben Hogan hosted the first Masters Champions Dinner in 1952.
The tradition began in 1952, when reigning champion Hoganhosted a dinnerfor all previous winners, according to the PGA Tour. The inaugural dinner marked the formation of the Masters Club, its membership limited to Masters champions and some honorary inductees. The Masters Club is now known as the Champions Dinner.
Traditionally, the defending champion hosts the Masters Champions Dinner, in addition to holding the privilege of choosing the menu.
The dinner is hosted at the Augusta National Golf Club.
The Masters Champions Dinner takes place ahead of tournament play — always scheduled for the first week of April — at the private Augusta National Golf Club. The exclusive event is open only to past champions and honorary members.
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The defending champion is inducted into the Masters Club.
During the dinner, the host receives a gold locketinscribed with the club’s emblem, theAugusta Chroniclesaid. Marking the occasion, each guest also passes around their menu for everyone to sign, according toGolf.com.
Jared C. Tilton/Getty
Still recovering from a back injury, Matsuyama, 30, ispreparing to defend his Masters titlethis week, in addition to hosting his first Masters Champions Dinner. Without giving away his menu selections, he admitted last month toReutersthat he’s feeling the pressure.
“Of course, I’m looking forward to returning to Augusta National as the defending champion. There are some expectations from myself, whether it’s pressure or not,” he said. “But looking forward to (it) and also at the same time trying to prepare the best I can.”
“The same with the Champions Dinner. I don’t speak English very well and so it’s kind of a two-sided coin. I’m looking forward to it, of course, to be with all those great past Masters champions but, at the same time too, very nervous about the speech I will be giving,” Matsuyama added.
source: people.com
