26 Masters

[Mike Hawkins]

Some years the wine choices at the Champion’s Dinner are a bit puzzling, especially with some of the Cali fruit bombs. While I’m not a fan of Rory per se, it’s a nice line up this year.

2015 Salon
1989 d’Yquem
1990 Lafite (though I think it was the weakest of the firsts that year)
2022 Leflaive Batard Montrachet

If only I had a green jacket…..

[Hacker]

I believe Augusta has a very good cellar. Others have told me so. I'm guessing these wines will come from it? Mike, all the reason to hone your golfing skills! I'm sure Mr. Tickle may be closer to it than you or I.

[Mike Hawkins]

I believe Augusta has a very good cellar. Others have told me so. I'm guessing these wines will come from it? Mike, all the reason to hone your golfing skills! I'm sure Mr. Tickle may be closer to it than you or I.

I’ve blown out to 9 and in my late 50s, so my golf is only going to go one way sadly. I’ve there as a ‘patron’ twice, so that's as close as i’ll get.

[Mike Hawkins]

I believe Augusta has a very good cellar. Others have told me so. I'm guessing these wines will come from it? Mike, all the reason to hone your golfing skills! I'm sure Mr. Tickle may be closer to it than you or I.

Adam Scott had them source 05 Grange and 09 Yattarna from memory

[GraemeG]

Yes, it's a classy menu, and definitely wine list!

[JamieAdelaide]

1990 Lafite (though I think it was the weakest of the firsts that year)

I guess it’s why I miss the HKG wines scene so much, as I tried the 1990’s Firsts a few times in horizontals. I was a mad-man for top Barolo at the time, so my opinion may lack refinement. I found Mouton poked out a bit in clumsy fashion.

[Mike Hawkins]

1990 Lafite (though I think it was the weakest of the firsts that year)

I guess it’s why I miss the HKG wines scene so much, as I tried the 1990’s Firsts a few times in horizontals. I was a mad man for top Barolo at the so my opinion may lack refinement. I found Mouton poked out a bit in clumsy fashion.

My experience with the 89 and 90 first growths was courtesy of generous friends in the US…. All FGs are too much these days, so its been a while since I've had one

[ticklenow1]

I believe Augusta has a very good cellar. Others have told me so. I'm guessing these wines will come from it? Mike, all the reason to hone your golfing skills! I'm sure Mr. Tickle may be closer to it than you or I.

I'm no way near it! Rockford Golf Days don't count . Although I would love to try those wines. I'm not a huge fan of Rory either, but kudos for those picks.

In Sydney this week and was lucky enough to play the Australian and St Michaels. I've been lucky enough to have played a lot of golf all around the world and I have to say, I don't think I've come across many course in better condition the The Australian. While not the best layout in Australia, it's definitely the best conditioned course in the country.

[ticklenow1]

I believe Augusta has a very good cellar. Others have told me so. I'm guessing these wines will come from it? Mike, all the reason to hone your golfing skills! I'm sure Mr. Tickle may be closer to it than you or I.

I'm no way near it! Rockford Golf Days don't count . Although I would love to try those wines. I'm not a huge fan of Rory either, but kudos for those picks.

In Sydney this week and was lucky enough to play the Australian and St Michaels. I've been lucky enough to have played a lot of golf all around the world and I have to say, I don't think I've come across many course in better condition the The Australian. While not the best layout in Australia, it's definitely the best conditioned course in the country.

The wine list is pretty decent and very affordable. Standish wines for $190 is decent. We had a bottle of Brothers at War Peacekeeper Grenache which retails at $38 and it was only $45. Most wines were only a small mark up from retail. They do look after their members.

[Mike Hawkins]

I believe Augusta has a very good cellar. Others have told me so. I'm guessing these wines will come from it? Mike, all the reason to hone your golfing skills! I'm sure Mr. Tickle may be closer to it than you or I.

I'm no way near it! Rockford Golf Days don't count . Although I would love to try those wines. I'm not a huge fan of Rory either, but kudos for those picks.

In Sydney this week and was lucky enough to play the Australian and St Michaels. I've been lucky enough to have played a lot of golf all around the world and I have to say, I don't think I've come across many course in better condition the The Australian. While not the best layout in Australia, it's definitely the best conditioned course in the country.

The wine list is pretty decent and very affordable. Standish wines for $190 is decent. We had a bottle of Brothers at War Peacekeeper Grenache which retails at $38 and it was only $45. Most wines were only a small mark up from retail. They do look after their members.

Ive got a few mates who are members at the Aussie and NSW, so have played both many times… as you note, the wines are excellent and reasonably priced, and not your typical big brand labels either. And agree withe conditioning comment. You might want to play Newcastle next year. The plans for the new holes look superb. I played it last week… it might return to top ten in the country when finished…

[felixp21]

No Mike, the wines are not from the Augusta cellar, they come from the reigning Masters champion. As I understand it, the champ chooses, and the Clun organises.
Augusta has an incredible cellar, and the wines are ridiculously cheap if you look carefully at the list... the Cali cabs are prevelant, but the wines are on the list at the price they purchased them for, so Bordeaux are the go (Burgundy list is pretty limited) Not that it matters, the member you are playing with pays

TBH, the meals are pretty average, so the wines are definitelty the highlight of any dinner there.

By the way, the course is pretty average too, if not for the Masters, it wouldn't make the top 50 in the world. (and that comes directly from Tom Fazio, appointed Masters course architect, and from me lols, who was pretty ho-hum at the time I played it)

Our Composite course absolutely craps on it (sorry, Rory, with an IQ of 90 what you said everybody expected) and for those that have not been there, it is honestly as hilly as Riversdale here in Melbourne. The 10th and 18th are mountainous, the 18th honestly up there will Cypress as one of the worst finishing holes in golf.

[felixp21]

BTW, the best golf club wine list in Australia, by a country mile, is Lake Karrinyup in Perth.

[Mike Hawkins]

No Mike, the wines are not from the Augusta cellar, they come from the reigning Masters champion. As I understand it, the champ chooses, and the Clun organises.
Augusta has an incredible cellar, and the wines are ridiculously cheap if you look carefully at the list... the Cali cabs are prevelant, but the wines are on the list at the price they purchased them for, so Bordeaux are the go (Burgundy list is pretty limited) Not that it matters, the member you are playing with pays

TBH, the meals are pretty average, so the wines are definitelty the highlight of any dinner there.

By the way, the course is pretty average too, if not for the Masters, it wouldn't make the top 50 in the world. (and that comes directly from Tom Fazio, appointed Masters course architect, and from me lols, who was pretty ho-hum at the time I played it)

Our Composite course absolutely craps on it (sorry, Rory, with an IQ of 90 what you said everybody expected) and for those that have not been there, it is honestly as hilly as Riversdale here in Melbourne. The 10th and 18th are mountainous, the 18th honestly up there will Cypress as one of the worst finishing holes in golf.

Cant agree on your rating. I’ve been to the Masters on a few occasions and played 35 of the top 100 courses, and its definitely top ten for mine…

[ticklenow1]

I believe Augusta has a very good cellar. Others have told me so. I'm guessing these wines will come from it? Mike, all the reason to hone your golfing skills! I'm sure Mr. Tickle may be closer to it than you or I.

I'm no way near it! Rockford Golf Days don't count . Although I would love to try those wines. I'm not a huge fan of Rory either, but kudos for those picks.

In Sydney this week and was lucky enough to play the Australian and St Michaels. I've been lucky enough to have played a lot of golf all around the world and I have to say, I don't think I've come across many course in better condition the The Australian. While not the best layout in Australia, it's definitely the best conditioned course in the country.

The wine list is pretty decent and very affordable. Standish wines for $190 is decent. We had a bottle of Brothers at War Peacekeeper Grenache which retails at $38 and it was only $45. Most wines were only a small mark up from retail. They do look after their members.

Ive got a few mates who are members at the Aussie and NSW, so have played both many times… as you note, the wines are excellent and reasonably priced, and not your typical big brand labels either. And agree withe conditioning comment. You might want to play Newcastle next year. The plans for the new holes look superb. I played it last week… it might return to top ten in the country when finished…

Thanks for the heads up Mike. I’ll check it out next time I’m down that way.

[Hacker]

Maybe when yo both are in Sydney next we can try RSGC’s new course. Wine list variable, course very good, but not top 10.

[ticklenow1]

Maybe when yo both are in Sydney next we can try RSGC’s new course. Wine list variable, course very good, but not top 10.

I’ll get in contact with you when we are down next. I’m there in July at this stage. Be great to finally have a game together.

[GraemeG]

No Mike, the wines are not from the Augusta cellar, they come from the reigning Masters champion. As I understand it, the champ chooses, and the Clun organises.
Augusta has an incredible cellar, and the wines are ridiculously cheap if you look carefully at the list... the Cali cabs are prevelant, but the wines are on the list at the price they purchased them for, so Bordeaux are the go (Burgundy list is pretty limited) Not that it matters, the member you are playing with pays

Do you mean the club pays for the drinks?
I think the very first champions dinner, back in 1952, was paid for by reigning champ Ben Hogan. Presumably at some point later the club began to cover the tab; at Hogan's first dinner in 1952 there were only eleven winners extant, given no event in 1943-45, and a few multiple winners since 1934 (Smith, Nelson, Demaret), so it wouldn't have been too onerous an obligation. I'd imagine there would have been more spirits drunk than wine back in those days anyway. Did Nelson even drink? I can't picture Sam Snead getting into the Montrachet!
I'm sure I read a story years ago about the champion having the run of Augusta's cellar for the dinner as well.
All rather sad I'm unlikely to experience it - I think some neighbourhood kids keep nicking my invite from the letterbox...

[felixp21]

I'll ask my coach next time I see him (Monday week, he'll know for sure) but as I understand it, the club pays the food, the winner the drinks. I could be wrong.

Augusta as a pure golf course, ie the course and not the trimmings, is just ok. Sage Valley down the road is probably better. Having had dinner with Tom Fazio at Sage one night, he certainly agrees that the "Masters mystique" spirals it up the rankings.
Interesting that its ranking varies wildly, from 5 to 15 in the World, depending on journos vs golfer doing the voting.
American courses are horribly over-rated, by the nature of who gets to vote. For example, Riviera in the top 40 is a dead set joke, although the experience is fabulous. With its kike and gum trees, it is a poor mans Royal Sydney, that is, the old Royal Sydney. Same with Pebble, honestly, 12 absolute ho-hum holes.
Other than Cypress, Pine Valley and, possibly, PGA National, nothing else over there deserves to be in the top 10, maybe even top 20, and I've played them all.
Aussie golfers who have not ventured over to the USA really don't know how good we've got it here. If you were in the States, courses like Bonville and Wickham would set you back AUD $2k to play.

[GraemeG]

Tough crowd, Felix! Even the old courses? Oakmont, Baltusrol, Merion?
I can accept the verdict on Augusta - it was never really meant to be a "championship course", though, was it? Bob Jones' private club was the idea.
It's probably thirty years since I played a handful of the top Melbourne courses; RMW, Kingston H, Metropolitan (the old 'now' I believe) plus the original National @ Shank. Only recent experience of "top" aspirants has been at Barnbougle. Front nine of the Dunes is pretty special; second nine less interesting.

[felixp21]

those three?
genuinely:
RM Composite (best course in the world)
RM West
New South Wales
Kingston Heap
Wickham
Victoria
PK North
Royal Adelaide
..... all better than them, I haven't played seven mile beach yet, but I'm told that also is amazing.
I have a soft spot for Merion, plenty of members where I am are members there and I have played it several times, but it is nowhere near as good as any above.
Oakmont, seriously, what a joke. (I could use a far more Aussie expression, but I'll keep it clean). Bit like Yarra Yarra, pull out all the trees and make it even worse lols

Then, don't get me started on how much better the courses in Scotland are than American courses, if unheard of courses like Cruden bay were in the States, they'd be calling it a top 20 course too


Anyway, rant over, USA has some great wines, and great courses, but far more great wines than courses lols.

[Mike Hawkins]

I heard the player pays for the food and the wine if it isnt in their cellar

[Mike Hawkins]

Tough crowd, Felix! Even the old courses? Oakmont, Baltusrol, Merion?
I can accept the verdict on Augusta - it was never really meant to be a "championship course", though, was it? Bob Jones' private club was the idea.
It's probably thirty years since I played a handful of the top Melbourne courses; RMW, Kingston H, Metropolitan (the old 'now' I believe) plus the original National @ Shank. Only recent experience of "top" aspirants has been at Barnbougle. Front nine of the Dunes is pretty special; second nine less interesting.

I’d put Shinnecock in front of all of those Graeme. An awesome track

[Mike Hawkins]

those three?
genuinely:
RM Composite (best course in the world)
RM West
New South Wales
Kingston Heap
Wickham
Victoria
PK North
Royal Adelaide
..... all better than them, I haven't played seven mile beach yet, but I'm told that also is amazing.
I have a soft spot for Merion, plenty of members where I am are members there and I have played it several times, but it is nowhere near as good as any above.
Oakmont, seriously, what a joke. (I could use a far more Aussie expression, but I'll keep it clean). Bit like Yarra Yarra, pull out all the trees and make it even worse lols

Then, don't get me started on how much better the courses in Scotland are than American courses, if unheard of courses like Cruden bay were in the States, they'd be calling it a top 20 course too


Anyway, rant over, USA has some great wines, and great courses, but far more great wines than courses lols.

Cruden was ok. But for my tastes Dornoch is my no 2 in the world behind Royal County Down. I think Irish courses are as good as anywhere in the world. Ballybunion, Lahinch, Waterville etc

[felixp21]

agree, Mike. Shinnecock I forgot about. Only played it once, off the tips. I'm reasonable long (or at least was lols) but we found we were hitting 3i into virtually every par four haha.
having said that, Corey Pavin, the shortest hitter on the PGA tour, won an Open there!!!! (beating a choking Norman of course )

I will re-iterate, Oakmont is up there with Pebble and Riviera as WTF golf courses, not in the top 50 in my book.

[Hacker]

I rate Cruden highly, some literally outstanding holes. Portrush is also way up there, as is the front nine next door at Port Stewart. Old Head is as spectacular as it gets as well. I also rate the New Course at St Andrew’s. But I do agree with Cypress’ rating as world number one, and relating it to Mark Frost’s The Match. Also, if you haven’t read it, The Grand Slam is a must read.

[felixp21]

FWIW, my top 10, in order:

RM Composite
Cypress
Pine Valley
Turnberry
County Down
Old Course
Dornoch
Portrush
Shanqin Bay
St George's

unlucky: New South Wales and Lahinch

[Mike Hawkins]

The new Turnberry is absolutely stupendous, and my mates keep raving about the new NSW

[felixp21]

yes it is, Mike. Turnberry was always a fave of mine, but now is even better (sadly, Trump factor makes me nauseated)
I honestly feel my top four are on a class of their own.