Masters winner Adam Scott is determined Moreton Bay Bugs will be on the menu at the traditional Former Champions Dinner at Augusta next April.
The Champions Dinner has been an annual feature at The Masters since 1952 when Ben Hogan hosted the first meal as defending champion.
Tradition dictates the previous year’s winner selects the menu of his choice. He also has to pay for producing his menu.
The famed Moreton Bay Bug – a flathead lobster – that Australia’s Adam Scott intends being on the menu when he hosts the annual Augusta Champions dinner.
Over the years, the tucker served up has ranged from Thai food presented by Vijay Singh, cheeseburgers chosen by Tiger Woods o sushi to haggis.
Asked during a private cocktail function on Tuesday hostetd by Tourism and Events Queensland if he’d given any serious thought to the culinary delights he’d serve his special dinner guests next April, the 33 year-old Queenslander revealed he’d toyed with the good old Aussie meat pie.
He also told a visiting American golf journalist he had considered adding vegemite on toast on to his menu but had too much respect for legends like Arnold Palmer.
“There’s definitely going to be a big Australian flavour on the menu … I think Moreton Bay Bugs are definitely going to get a run, they’re my favourite,” he said with a grin.
“I’m trying to make sure I serve something that everyone will eat.
“I don’t know that I can get away with serving meat pies unfortunately (his comment drawing much laughter from the guests).
“But I will definitely get something from Queensland and the rest will be Australian as well.”
One of the more unforgettable Champions Dinner menus was served up by a young Tiger Woods who fed his guests cheeseburgers, chicken sandwiches, french fries and milkshakes in 1998.
On a more serious note, Scott, a hot favourite to add his first Australian PGA Championship to victories in the 2008 Australian Open and last year’s Masters, has admitted he wants to join golf’s elite career Grand Slam club.
Only six players, Ben Hogan, Bobby Jones, Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, Gene Sarazen (pre Masters) and Tiger Woods have won Golf’s Grand Slam of majors.
“As long as I keep the intensity and practice and preparation, I think I can win more majors; win another Masters, win the Open, hopefully US Opens and PGAs,” said Scott after shooting a two-under pro-am round on Wednesday morning.
“I’d love to win the career Grand Slam or the career Slam, whatever they call it — the four Majors — and put myself in that really small group of players who’ve won all four Majors.
“I think that would be a good goal, but that’s a long way off at the moment, I’ve only got one, so there’s a lot of work to do.”
Scott, — a $3.50 favourite — expressed a genuine desire to win the PGA Championship in front of his family and friends on the Gold Coast this weekend.
“This is the one trophy down here I don’t have but I really want. To get all three big tournaments would be amazing, said the world number two.
Scott’s effort in breaking Australia’s 77 year quest to win the Masters was recognised on Wednesday with Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate presenting him with the keys to the city.
* Story thanks to colleague, Wayne Hemmings – www.pga.org.au
