Golfweek has learned that past PGA champions receive a stipend of $3,000 to attend the dinner and are sent a 1099 for tax purposes.
PHILADELPHIA – The Masters isn’t the only major that has a champions dinner. Didn’t know that? Don’t feel bad; neither did 2020 PGA Championship winner Collin Morikawa when he was the guy who set the menu and picked up the tab in 2021.
When asked if he was aware of this tournament tradition that week at Kiawah Island, Morikawa chuckled and said, “No. But I’m glad it is.”
Xander Schauffele has the honor this year. When asked on Wednesday during his pre-tournament press conference at the Truist Championship to share his menu for next Tuesday night’s gathering, he said, “Didn’t go do anything unique. I’d say it was sort of middle of the road, a steak option, a fish option. I wanted everyone to be happy or to be able to eat whatever they’d like. I think the gift is pretty fitting for everyone. I think they’ll enjoy it, and if they don’t like it, they can re-gift it pretty easily.”
So, what exactly is Schauffele gifting to the past PGA champions? A humidor and cigars. “Pretty on brand, I guess,” he said with a smile. (Golfweek has learned that past champions also receive a stipend of $3,000 to attend the dinner and are sent a 1099 for tax purposes.)
Much like at the more ballyhooed winners-only Champions Dinner held each year on the Tuesday of Masters week at Augusta National, the ticket to admission to Tuesday night’s soiree at the PGA Championship, which dates back to 1965, is having hoisted the Wanamaker Trophy. But there is one difference: Spouses and family members of past champions are included.
When did the PGA Championship champions dinner start?
The PGA’s dinner began in 1965 at Laurel Valley Golf Club in Ligonier, Pennsylvania, with the 1964 champ, Bobby Nichols, hosting on short notice. Then-PGA President Warren Cantrell approached Nichols ahead of the 1965 Championship.
“I said that I would be honored,” recalled Nichols. “I remember asking Warren if there was anything special he needed to say? He said I should just talk about the past year and his win. I asked Warren who was paying for the dinner? Do I pay for it as host? Cantrell said, ‘Don’t worry, we’ll take care of it.’
Sam Snead got pranked at first PGA champions dinner
“I decided that I would have a little fun with Sam Snead,” Nichols continued. “As we reached the close of the evening, I said, ‘I want to thank you all for being here with us. It was the highlight of my life to be able to be among you past Champions and a real education to hear your stories of the ups and downs you shared. Before we part, we want to help the PGA by paying for this inaugural dinner. I think one of our past Champions should help us do that. We will be going retroactive to 1942, and that begins with Sam Snead.’ At that moment, Snead stood up and yelled, ‘B.S.!’ and headed for the exit.
“The crowd was laughing hard and we all called for Sam to come back. ‘We were just kidding, Sam,’ I said. Sam did return to his seat. It was a wonderful evening. The only past Champion I don’t recall being there was Ben Hogan. We had Gene Sarazen, Johnny Revolta, Paul Runyan, Denny Shute, Vic Ghezzi and everyone after that through Jack Nicklaus, who won in 1963. I was happy that I could be the first to host a PGA Champions Dinner.”
And next week, the honor is all Xander Schauffele’s.
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