Tuesday night at the Champions Dinner, the elephant in the room was left unaddressed.
Multiple past champions claim that the topic of Masters winners quitting the PGA Tour for LIV golf was not brought up at the annual gathering.
Fuzzy Zoeller, 1979 winner, said that “We are just 33 past champions in an room, all trying hard to get along.” “Nobody said anything about it. Phil sat at the end of the table, and kept his mouth shut. He did not speak.
What about Fred Couples?
Tommy Aaron, 1973 winner, stated that “Couples spoke a lot, but didn’t mention LIIV at all.” “I sat beside Freddie and Ray Floyd trying to figure out how many champions were in the final group.”
Ben Crenshaw welcomed guests to the dinner by reading a 1954 letter Ben Hogan had written to Masters co-founders Bobby Jones, Clifford Roberts. This letter shared the importance of being a member the Masters Club.
Hogan wrote, “Dear Bob and Cliff,” as Crenshaw’s thirty-three eyes glued to his. “Today, I received my invitation for the 1954 Masters Tournament. It is a wonderful feeling to receive this familiar invitation. It brings back fond memories of my 1938 first invitation. Before that year, I remember praying and hoping that my record and game would be enough to qualify me for the highly-prized invitation.
More: Masters Champions Dinner Menus for the past 30 years
Crenshaw stopped to make sure everyone was engaged. Hogan’s last words stood out more than the first paragraphs.
“Surely, this club must be the most exclusive. A few lucky people have the tournament and the annual meeting to look forward too. Hogan wrote that even after the serious competition has ended for some of us, it is still possible to get together and reminisce.”
Although Chairman Fred Ridley spoke as well, he did not mention LIV golf, much like Crenshaw. Instead, Ridley thanked everyone for having him and spoke about the changes to the course, most notably to No. 13 Tee box
After dinner, Crenshaw recognized Scottie Schiffler while raising a right hand to make the Hook ’em Horns sign.
Aaron stated, “Everybody knows what Ben thinks about Texas.” He made sure everyone at the table was aware of how well Augusta has been treated by Texans. Crenshaw, Scottie, and Jordan Spieth enjoyed a huge hook ’em, and that was a great thing.”
Aaron answered a question about the food and said that the ribeye was delicious, but the tortilla soup tasted spicy.
Added Fuzzy
Crenshaw recognized then four Masters Club members: Tommy Aaron (50th Anniversary), Mark O’Meara (25) and Sandy Lyle (25th Anniversary), who are all competing in their final Masters.
Mize was emotional when he addressed the table and said how important it was for an Augusta boy to win the Masters.
Aaron spoke as well, telling a story about his 1973 Masters experience while he waited in Butler Cabin for J.C. Snead.
“J.C. is in the bunker at No. Aaron said that Jack C. hit out at about 15 feet. Jack looked at me and said, “No chance he will make this putt. “You’ve won the tournament.” Well, the putt goes in and I think, “Thanks a lot Jack.”
Aaron’s thoughts about Mickelson: “I wished him luck, but it was hard to believe how quiet he was.” Phil kept a low profile. He didn’t speak a word.”
Portrait of the 2023 Champions Dinner #themasters pic.twitter.com/4cLriTv8sO
— The Masters (@TheMasters April 5, 2023
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Scheffler, the defending Masters Tournament champion was the guest-of-honor and ordered a dinner of cheeseburger slides, firecracker shrimps, tortilla soup and Texas ribeye. For dessert, a warm chocolate chips skillet cookie with milk & Cookies ice cream.
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