What annual Masters dinner for past winners was inaugurated by Ben Hogan?

The annual dinner for past Masters winners is the Champions Dinner.

The tradition began at the 1952 Masters when defending champion Ben Hogan hosted the first gathering, then known officially as the Masters Club. It brings together past Masters champions, with selected Augusta National officials sometimes included as honorary participants. The defending champion traditionally serves as host and chooses the menu.

The dinner takes place on the Tuesday evening before the tournament’s Thursday opening round. Its purpose is both ceremonial and social: it recognizes the tournament’s champions while giving them a private opportunity to meet at Augusta National. Because only a relatively small group has won the Masters, the dinner has a distinctive club-like character.

Menus have become part of the event’s lore. Champions often choose food connected to their home regions, producing memorable selections such as haggis from Sandy Lyle, fish and chips from Nick Faldo, and South African bobotie associated with Trevor Immelman. It is sometimes confused with the Amateur Dinner, which is a separate pre-tournament event.