Tee Time at the Masters

Today, I am featuring a "Masters Tablescape."

One of the oldest springtime traditions in the South is the Masters Golf Tournament--The Augusta National is steeped in tradition. As the commercials say, "The Masters is a tradition like no other." I grew up in Augusta and got my "Coppertone Tan" every spring on the 16th green. Many years later, my family still goes out to the Masters Golf Tournament to enjoy the golf, the latest fashions, dogwoods and azaleas in bloom, and the food.

An Augusta National print on the wall of my husband's "Romper Room," the "16th Hole"--where all the locals hang out!

Another print on the wall...the famous "13th Hole," lined with 1,600 azaleas from tee to green...
The Tickets
The Masters badge is one of "the hardest-to-get tickets" in sports. My family has been Masters badgeholders since the 60's. Here's one of my collections on the wall in "The Romper Room"...

The Etiquette
If you are lucky enough to attend the Masters, remember to practice proper "Augusta National Etiquette."

~No running, loud talking, or yelling.
~Applaud successful strokes; never applaud or cheer the misplays of a player.
~Thou shalt not litter at the Augusta National...it is hallowed ground to golfers.
~Don't wear green on Sunday at the Masters...it's disrespectful to the golfer who will don "The Green Jacket."
~Conservative golfwear is the appropriate attire...keep it preppy!

The Green Jacket
Each year, the winner of the Masters Tournament is presented with the famous "Green Jacket." It's definitely a golden moment for the winner! He gets to take the jacket home with him and keep it for one year. Upon his return to the tournament the next year, he gives the jacket back to the club. After that, he can only wear the jacket when he visits the Augusta National Golf Club.

Here is a photo of the 2007 Masters Champion--Zach Johnson, presenting the Green Jacket to the 2008 champion--Trevor Immelman...The big question--Will Tiger win his 5th this year????
The Food
Barbeque sandwiches, ham on rye, the beer gardens...all remind me of those fun days in Augusta. But, the pimiento cheese sandwich is the crowd favorite at the Masters. The sandwich costs $1 and is considered a delicacy by the golf fans--it's simple, it's southern, and it's a tradition. Of course pimiento cheese sandwiches, cut into triangles and trimmed of crusts, are also favorites at bridal receptions, showers, and teas all over the South.

Heres some more of my Masters ticket collection, Masters cookbooks, yummy pimiento cheese sandwiches, and Arnold Palmer Iced Tea...

The Junior League of Augusta has published three great recipe books. Tea Time at the Masters, Tea Time at the Masters--Second Round, and Tea Time at the Masters--Par Three. These are all must-have cookbooks for Southern ladies and you will find a lot of recipes inside that are favorites among Augustans.


For a great snack, try a delicious pimiento cheese sandwich*, served with Lay's potato chips and an "Arnold Palmer iced tea."*

*Recipe for Four-Cheese Pimiento Sandwiches
Source: Tea Time at the Masters, Par Three

3 cups (12 ounces) shredded white cheddar cheese
2 cups (8 ounces) shredded yellow sharp cheddar cheese
4 ounces crumbled bleu cheese
1 cup shredded parmesan cheese
1 (4-ounce) jar sliced pimientos, drained
1 cup light mayonnaise
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
White sandwich bread

Combine the white cheddar cheese, yellow cheddar cheese, bleu cheese, parmesan cheese, pimientos, mayonnaise and Dijon mustard in a food processor and process until smooth. Remove to a bowl. Cover and chill. Spread on white bread to make sandwiches.

*Recipe for Arnold Palmer Iced Tea
Combine 1/2 iced tea and 1/2 lemonade in a pitcher and fill with ice. Serve and enjoy!


A Masters Tablescape
Every year my friend Teresa Jane welcomes my husband and one of his lucky friends he chooses to attend the Masters into her home during Masters week . For as long as I can remember, Teresa Jane has been hosting her "Masters Dinner," with the same delicious menu year after year.


This year Masters Sunday falls on Easter Sunday, which it frequently does. My husband decided to skip going to Augusta this year. A couple of days ago, he hosted game day/night/early morning in the "Romper Room at the Roost" to kick off the Masters Golf Tournament and play Poker, while enjoying the foods I prepared from Teresa Jane's "Masters Dinner."

Teresa Jane is an avid scrapbooker and awesome cardmaker. She designed these oh-so cute invitations for the event. The invitation is in the design of "The Green Jacket." When the invite information was removed, it revealed the recipe for the famous "Green Jacket Salad"! Aren't these just perfect for a golf event! The jacket even has the little Augusta National logo on the pocket!!!
Here's the recipe for the famous "Green Jacket Salad." The Green Jacket Restaurant was THE most popular restaurant in Augusta for many years. This is the recipe for their house salad and it is awesome! If you decide to make this salad, do not add the dressing until just before serving.

This is the menu my friend Teresa Jane has been preparing for family and friends since the 70's:

Menu

Green Jacket Salad
Teresa Jane's Barbeque Chicken
Twiced-Baked Potatoes
Easy Garlic Bread
Arnold Palmer Iced Tea
~
Par 3 Cupcakes

This dinner was served on a Poker table, family-style--which is appropriate for an informal occasion. The food was placed on the table in serving dishes and passed around by each guest. I purchased these white plates at Pier One years ago and the tumblers are from the Augusta National Gift Shop.
The centerpiece...golf balls!

The centerpiece was surrounded by Augusta National golf hats and visors...

I purchased these placemats at the Augusta National Gift Shop many years ago and use them every year during the tournment...The flatware is wrapped in Masters-yellow napkins and wrapped in a ring imprinted with the Augusta National logo...


I used more of my Masters ticket collection to embellish the place cards...




The menu, a souvenir for each guest...



The Poker table loaded with food--my husband's favorite meal...

The famous "Green Jacket" salad...

Teresa Jane's barbeque chicken*...


Recipe for Teresa Jane's Barbeque Chicken:

1 stick butter
6 tablespoons vinegar
6 tablespoons worcestershire sauce
2 teaspoons salt
2 teaspoons pepper
2 teaspoons sugar

Bake/grill chicken breasts. Add all ingredients to a medium pot and simmer over low heat. You may brush the chicken with sauce while cooking and then transfer the sauce to a serving bowl at the table.

Twiced-baked potatoes--these are awesome*!



Recipe for Twiced-Baked Potatoes:

4 large baking potatoes
1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup milk
4 tablespoons butter
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, divided
1 bunch green onions
Garlic Salt

You may bake the potatoes in the oven at 350 degrees for one hour. (I microwave them for ten minutes) When the potatoes are done, allow to cool for ten minutes. Slice potatoes in half lengthwise and scoop out the flesh into a large bowl; save skins. Add all the ingredients except the green onions and 1/2 cup of the cheddar cheese to the potato mixture. Mix until creamy. Top with more cheddar cheese and chopped green onions. Place in the oven and bake for 15 minutes.

Easy garlic bread...

Par 3 cupcakes, with golf tees and flags...



Get Your Party Favors Y'all!
Gift bags with golf balls...what else??? I attached an Augusta National pencil to the outside--my daddy gave me tons of these Augusta National pencils years ago.

The Song
It's springtime in the valley on Magnolia Lane
It's the Augusta National and the master of the game
Who'll wear that green coat on Sunday afternoon
Who'll walk that 18th fairway singing this tune
Augusta your dogwoods and pines
They play on my mind like a song
Augusta it's you that I love
It's you that I miss when I'm gone
Well, it's Watson and Byron Nelson and Demaret and Player and Snead
And it's "Amen Corner" and Hogan's perfect swing
It's Sarazon's double eagle at the 15th hole
And the spirit of Clifford Roberts that keeps it alive
It's the legends of Arnie's Army and the Golden Bear's throng
And the wooden shafted legend of Bobby Jones.
~Sung by Dave Loggins

Here's a photo from the 80's of my best friend Teresa Jane and me at the Par 3 Tournament in Augusta...fun times!

It's definitely springtime in Augusta. My brother was at the course yesterday and said the flowers were all just gorgeous. Springtime in Augusta...nothing like it anywhere y'all!