Six amateur golfers attending the Masters savored a multi-course meal at the tournament's annual Amateur Dinner on Monday night. Brandon Holtz praised the filet mignon and Caesar salad, saying he could still taste it the next morning. The event in Augusta National's clubhouse drew about 100 guests, including Masters chairman Fred Ridley.
The dinner, held in the Founders Dining Room, welcomed the six amateurs competing in this year's Masters: Brandon Holtz, the defending U.S. Mid-Amateur champion; Mason Howell, the U.S. Amateur winner; Jackson Herrington, the Amateur runner-up; Ethan Fang, the Amateur Championship winner; Fifa Laopakdee, the Asia-Pacific Amateur champion; and Mateo Pulcini, the Latin America Amateur winner. Around 100 people attended, with each amateur seated at a different table among 14 total tables. Fred Ridley, chairman of Augusta National Golf Club and the Masters, joined along with other golf dignitaries. The event began shortly before 7 p.m., followed by photos around 7:15 p.m. and then dinner service. Holtz described the menu highlights: a Caesar salad appetizer with baby romaine, anchovy, parmesan, croutons, black sea salt, and traditional dressing; filet mignon with crispy potatoes, baby cauliflower, and bordelaise sauce, cooked medium rare; and apple crumble pie with vanilla ice cream and caramel sauce for dessert. Wines included a 2021 Julien Fayard Chardonnay from Ritchie Vineyard in Russian River Valley and a 2017 Spottswoode Cabernet Sauvignon 'Lyndenhurst' from Napa Valley. Holtz, who chose the cabernet, said, “Oh, man, I can still taste it today. It’s that good.” He added about the steak, “I like it that way. It was great. Everything fit.” Speeches came from Ridley, Howell, and officials from the USGA and R&A. Ridley recounted his own first Masters appearance 50 years ago after winning the U.S. Amateur, including his stay in the clubhouse's Crow’s Nest rooms, where Holtz had stayed Sunday night. Each amateur received a copy of “The Life and Times of Bobby Jones.” The Amateur Dinner dates back to 1948, predating the Champions Dinner by four years.
