By Ryan Herrington
In a year in which most Masters traditions have been subject to triage due to the COVID-19, it was a pleasant surprise to see the Champions Dinner remain on the schedule. Gathering a few dozen people for a meal, particularly when several are of a certain age, presents challenges in the best of times, let alone in the middle of a pandemic.
Give credit then to Augusta National officials for coming up with a way to hold the event, which dates back to 1952, even if attendance wasn’t quite what it ordinarily is. A photo of a signed menu on Masters.com showed 26 names, excluding club chairman Fred Ridley, out of a possible 33 living past champion were in attendance for the annual Tuesday meal. Among the missing were Fuzzy Zoeller and Tom Watson. The festivities were moved from clubhouse’s second-floor Library to first-floor Trophy Room to help provide a roomier (and safer) environment to share a meal.
As defending Masters champion, Tiger Woods played the role of host, serving a main course of prime steak and chicken fajitas.
Served in honor of Mr. Tiger Woods. #themasters pic.twitter.com/P9AWsWBHdn
— The Masters (@TheMasters) November 10, 2020
The club released these images from the evening through its social media handles, showing what the evening looked like.
The annual celebration returns – the Champions Dinner. #themasters pic.twitter.com/bUHqYXbGoq
— The Masters (@TheMasters) November 11, 2020
A Champions Dinner unlike any other.
(?:Ian Gilley/@theMasters) pic.twitter.com/aPa1vr8oEG
— Golf Digest (@GolfDigest) November 11, 2020