Augusta, GA - He could have ordered lobster Thermidor.
He could have picked pheasant, caviar and champagne. As the 1997 Masters champion, Tiger Woods could have chosen just about anything on the menu. But what does an All-American sports hero select for this year's champions dinner on Tuesday, April 7, in Augusta, Georgia? The All-American meal: cheeseburgers and fries!
And why not? Tiger's in good company. In 1997, hamburgers topped a list of "American's Leading Menu Sellers," appearing more frequently on menus throughout the U.S. than any other entree item.(a) In fact, there were 5.4 billion hamburgers and cheeseburgers served in commercial restaurants in 1997.(b) That's a whopping 9,015,294 burgers for every person who watched the final round at last year's tournament.(c)
This Tuesday evening, scores of mouth-watering cheeseburgers and fries will be served to those who have worn the coveted "green blazer," the past champions of golf's most prestigious event, the Masters. Just how these top golfers will top their burgers has yet to be played out. But, if they're like most American's they'll choose favorite toppings such as ketchup, mustard, cheese, onions and mayonnaise/salad dressing.(d)
Coincidence? Since Tiger Woods won the Masters last year, golfing has never been more popular. Beef sandwiches have also gained in popularity. In 1997 they were the fastest growing sandwiches in foodservice, with cheeseburger servings up seven percent!(e)
And Augustans would not be surprised to learn that people in the South Atlantic and the North Central regions consume more burgers than any other Americans.(f)
So even if you're not Tiger Woods and you don't own a green blazer, the important thing to remember is that it's not whether you win or lose, it's how you top your cheeseburger!
The National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA) is a non-partisan organization and does not endorse PGA players. The release is not to promote any player over another.
The NCBA represents all segments of the beef cattle industry. The organization manages checkoff-funded marketing programs such as the "Beef. It's What You Want" consumer advertising campaign, as well as dues-funded policy programs that address economic, political and special interests of the U.S. cattle industry.
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