At the Masters Golf Tournament, tradition runs deep.
One of the most cherished yet least known customs at Augusta National is the annual Amateur Dinner, held to honor the amateur golfers participating in the competition.
This exclusive gathering is a testament to the club’s commitment to preserving the spirit of amateur golf and fostering camaraderie among its participants.
The Origins of the Amateur Dinner
The Masters Amateur Dinner dates back to 1948 when it was first hosted by Charlie Yates, an amateur golfing legend and member of Augusta National.
The dinner was initiated as a way to celebrate the achievements of amateur golfers and provide them with an opportunity to interact with one another in a relaxed setting.
Bobby Jones and Clifford Roberts, co-founders of the Masters, attended and spoke at these early Amateur dinners.
An Elite Guest List
Each year, the Amateur Dinner invites only a select group of attendees:
All amateurs that have qualified for the current year’s Masters, plus several past amateurs, club members, and other guests.
In total, there are somewhere around 100 attendees each year, all there to celebrate the remarkable achievements of that year’s participating amateurs.
Here are the 2023 Masters Amateur invitees and how they qualified:
- Sam Bennett– U.S. Amateur Champion
- Ben Carr– U.S. Amateur Runner-up
- Gordan Sargent– Special Invitation (2022 D-1 NCAA Individual Champ and #1 ranked amateur in the world)
- Aldrich Potgieter– British Amateur Champion
- Harrison Crowe– Asia-Pacific Amateur Champion
- Mateo Fernandez de Oliveira– Latin America Amateur Champion
- Matthew McClean– U.S. Mid-Amateur Champion
Related: Low Amateur At The Masters
A Night of Fellowship and Celebration
Since 2015, the Amateur dinner has been held on Monday night in the Founders Room (except during Covid).
The Amateur Dinner is an evening filled with camaraderie as participants share stories, exchange experiences, and build connections with their fellow competitors.
During the celebration, a video is shown that highlights each qualifying amateur’s career thus far and shows how they earned their invitation to the Masters.
The atmosphere is one of mutual respect and admiration as these golfers celebrate their accomplishments and their shared passion for the game.
The Role of the Honorary Invitees
Another unique aspect of the Amateur Dinner is the inclusion of honorary invitees, which are former amateur champions who have gone on to achieve significant success in the golfing world.
These seasoned veterans share their insights, experiences, and wisdom with the younger generation, providing inspiration and motivation for the amateurs in attendance.
A Lasting Legacy
The Masters Amateur Dinner has left an indelible mark on the tournament’s history, as it continues to honor the spirit of amateur golf and the incredible achievements of its participants.
Many of the golfers who have attended the dinner have gone on to enjoy illustrious professional careers, with some even returning to Augusta National as honorary invitees.
The Amateur Dinner at the Masters is yet another wonderful Masters tradition that has endured.
The dinner is a testament to the importance of amateur golf in the sport’s history and the ongoing commitment of Augusta National to celebrate and support these dedicated players.
Related: 19 Facts About the Masters That You Probably Didn’t Know