1965. Yes, that was the year the PGA Championship’s Champions Dinner tradition began, when defending champion Bobby Nichols hosted 19 past champions at the request of PGA of America officials, with only Ben Hogan missing. The dinner was meant to bring together past winners, but over the years, attendance dwindled. Dave Stockton, a two-time PGA winner, expressed his confusion over the declining attendance, believing it’s essential for champions to come back and share stories.

The tradition has since been revamped to be more exclusive to past champions, starting at Kiawah Island in 2022. One unique aspect of the PGA Champions Dinner is that the defending champion not only picks the menu but also hands out gifts. Past gifts have included alligator belts, Gibson electric guitars, ostrich-leather cowboy boots, and wireless Bose speakers. Xander Schauffele, the defending champion, will host this year’s dinner.

Schauffele revealed, well, teased what his menu for the 2025 PGA Championship Champions Dinner would look like, and it’s pretty straightforward. When asked about it during a pre-tournament press conference, Schauffele mentioned he opted for a classic approach with a steak and fish option, aiming to please everyone. “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,” he said.

As for the gift, Schauffele spilled the beans—a humidor and cigars, which he admitted were “pretty on brand.” Given his history with cigars in celebratory settings, it’s no surprise they fit his style. One such instance was seen at the 2024 Presidents Cup in a memorable photo where Schauffele’s seriousness was full on display as he blew out a puff of smoke, highlighting his playful side with cigars. He joked about the gift, saying, “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.”

Collin Morikawa, the 2020 PGA Championship winner, had previously expressed his delight in discovering the tradition when he hosted the dinner in 2021, saying, “No. But I’m glad it is.”

But now the question is, will Schauffele’s dinner be as memorable as the 2022 dinner was? Don’t tell us you don’t remember what happened at the 2022 PGA Championship Dinner!

What went down at the 2022 PGA Championship dinner?

The 2022 PGA Championship Dinner had a unique twist, with past winners receiving high-end fire pits as gifts. Initially, many thought Phil Mickelson, known for his sense of humor, was behind the decision, given the recent controversy surrounding him and a story on The Fire Pit Collective website. “Many who know Mickelson, a first-rate smart aleck, figured his fingerprints were all over that choice,” it was noted.

However, it turned out that the PGA of America made the decision, as Mickelson opted not to defend his title. The speculation surrounding the gift choice added to the intrigue of the dinner. According to Julius Mason, the PGA of America’s senior director of public awareness and external relations, the gift was chosen to fit an “outdoor theme” that started with previous gifts. “It was meant to complement gifts of the previous few years and continue what he said was an outdoor theme,” Mason explained.

The outdoor theme has become a defining feature of the PGA Championship Dinner, with past gifts showcasing creativity and thoughtfulness. Collin Morikawa had given high-end outdoor barbecue cooking utensils in 2021, and Brooks Koepka had given fancy cornhole games in 2020. The Solo Stove fire pits were a fitting addition to this theme, showcasing the effort put into selecting gifts that resonate with the golfers. With the dinner’s tradition and the creativity behind it, it’s no wonder the event is eagerly anticipated each year.

So, do you think this year’s dinner will be as memorable as the 2022 one was? Let us know in the comment section below!