Hosting the Ultimate Masters Party With The Clover Whiskey Collection
When it comes to watching The Masters Tournament, the only thing that compares to getting one of the most coveted badges in sports is hosting a Masters watch party at home. But capturing the excitement of the Masters is so much more than viewing elite sportsmanship–it’s the attention to detail, the immaculate setting, and the camaraderie of watching the event with fellow patrons that truly makes it a tradition unlike any other.
To bring Augusta to your living room, The Clover has curated our guide to hosting the ultimate Masters watch party. From pimento cheese sandwiches straight from the concessions stand, to cocktails made with the only whiskey named for the founder of The Masters, The Bobby Jones Clover Whiskey Collection, we’ve thought of ways to infuse every element of your party with a nod to Augusta National. After throwing a party unlike any other by following our guide, you might just find that hosting an annual Masters party is your new favorite Masters tradition.
PArty Preparations
Decorate Like Augusta: When you see the bright yellow, Masters green, and crisp white of Augusta you know immediately what course, and what tournament, you are watching. Transport your guests to one of the most exclusive events in the world by decorating with these iconic colors in your home. Think like Augusta National does…no detail is too small.
A few touches we find inviting are these green and white striped straws, matching green and white table linens, mini Masters flags, and color-coordinated banner decorations. Consider adding floral arrangements in yellow, green and white, or if you are lucky enough to live in an area that has them, some fresh-cut Magnolias or Azaleas. A great centerpiece to add to any refreshment area is The Clover’s mini aging whiskey barrel. The barrel allows you to batch Masters-inspired whiskey cocktails ahead of time while offering a visually striking way to serve guests.
Make Watching Easy: The main order of the day is of course the tournament itself. Make sure you have a plan for streaming or broadcasting the tournament. This NBC Sports article has a complete schedule of events and broadcasting options. There are also multiple options for streaming directly through the Masters website, which offers specific hole and small group coverage in addition to the main broadcast. Next, you’ll want to make sure that there are ample screens and seats for viewing. Purchase extra screens or consider using a projector depending on the size of your party. If your party is in multiple areas make sure there is at least one dedicated screen in each of them, and don’t forget the audio! The soundtrack to this party is the soothing voice of Jim Nantz and the encouraging applause of patrons.
Dress Like Members: Invite your guests to embrace the theme by wearing their favorite Augusta-inspired attire. Bobby Jones, as golf’s greatest gentleman, was always impeccably dressed on the golf course. He brought this same sense of style and decorum to Augusta when he founded The Masters, instituting a dress code that lives on as another time-honored tradition of the event. As such, there is no shortage of merch inspired by golf’s most coveted fashion moment. While green jackets may be exclusive to members of Augusta National Golf Club and Masters champions, you can still channel Bobby’s iconic style with athleisure from Bobby Jones Apparel, The Clover green and white mesh back hat from Imperial that mirrors the colors of caddie uniforms, or throw it back to a classic golfing style by donning argyle and a driving cap.
party Menu
Taste of The Masters: No trip to Augusta is complete without a stop at the infamous concessions stands. When it comes to deciding on your party menu one thing is for certain–Pimento Cheese is a must!
Ignite nostalgia in your guests by incorporating the most favored foods of patrons at your party. Now it’s easier than ever to have a complete and authentic concessions stand menu by simply ordering the Masters food kit directly from Augusta National. With Masters branded wax paper, cups and other hosting materials included in this kit you can even wrap and serve these traditional treats just as you would get them at Augusta. In the early days of the tournament, the sandwiches served were made in the kitchens of local Augustans. So if you’re sourcing these foods on your own, you’re actually upholding one of the oldest traditions of The Masters. Use this Pimento cheese recipe for an authentic recreation. You can also consider including a mix of older and newer menu items such as the Bar-B-Q Sandwich and the Peach Ice Cream Sandwich.
If you want to mix things up a little bit, take some inspiration from another long-held Masters tradition, the Champions Dinner. This year’s menu, held in honor of Jon Rahm, features recipes from his home in the north of Spain. Include some of the tapas featured on this menu for a fun and flavorful addition to your party menu.
A Toast To Tradition: Grabbing a thirst-quenching drink after roaming the warm grounds of Augusta is another time-honored tradition of patrons. While your guests won’t be roaming the fairways, The Masters is a long game so you’ll want to keep plenty of drinks on hand to last you the duration of the broadcast. Concessions stand staples like soft drinks, sweet and unsweetened tea, white wine and beer are easy ways to channel the Augusta experience.
But for the game’s most passionate fans, why not curate a drinks menu of entirely golf-themed beverages? Offer a concessions stand “secret menu” item, like the Stand 12. This drink is layered with pink lemonade, sprite and sports drink. We also recommend a “Mr. Palmer” which is how Arnold Palmer would ask for his eponymous drink when he was ordering it at Augusta National.
When it comes to cocktails we’ve taken the guesswork out of your mixology menu with unique whiskey cocktails inspired by the Masters Tournament. Each drink is an homage to a classic whiskey cocktail, and features unique nods to the storied greens of Augusta National Golf Club and the Masters Tournament. All of these Masters-themed cocktail recipes feature the ‘green jacket’ of whiskey named in honor of co-founder of Augusta National and the Masters Tournament, The Bobby Jones Clover Whiskey Collection. From the Green Jacket Julep to the Magnolia Lane Martini, there is a cocktail to suit every one of your guest's tastes on our menu.
The 19th Hole: Now that the stage has been set and your guests have started to trickle into the party, grabbing some concession-style snacks along the way, it’s time to get the festivities started! Enjoying a post-round pour of whiskey at the clubhouse is a tradition as old as golf itself and one that Bobby Jones was a big fan of, often enjoying 3 fingers of fine whiskey after a day on the course. It’s no surprise then that the clubhouse at Augusta National is possibly one of the most iconic golf clubhouses in the world. While few of us will be lucky enough to experience the interior of Augusta National’s clubhouse, you can still enjoy the next best thing…turning your home bar into your very own clubhouse.
To create an Augusta-worthy home bar setup that will also act as the hub of your party, it’s important to have a well-stocked station with a sleek design. Keep plenty of elegant glassware on hand to enhance the bouquet and flavors of the spirits you will be serving. Our golf-themed glassware with iconic quotes from Bobby Jones is a great option for a Masters-themed party.
Champions in their own right, but named after the champion who founded The Masters, The Bobby Jones Whiskey Collection is the only whiskey with ties to the roots of Augusta. Available in three expressions The Clover Single Barrel Stright Bourbon Whiskey, The Clover Single Barrel Tennessee Straight Bourbon, and The Clover Single Barrel Straight Rye Whiskey, they appeal to a wide variety of personal tastes and can be used in classic cocktails. Offering guests tastings with our whiskey flight tray is a fun and interactive way to engage your guests, while also learning their preferred pour.
From the honorary starters to the awarding of the green jacket to our new champion, there is no shortage of occasions for you and your guests to toast to during Masters week.
Golf-Themed Entertainment
Masters Trivia: Who is the biggest fan of the Masters at your party? This one might be hard to prove, but whoever wins your Masters Tournament trivia contest will certainly get some bragging rights afterward. Keep things entertaining during commercial breaks by playing golf trivia. Just like the players, your guests can keep a scorecard of who gets the most questions right. And what competition would be complete without a prize? It may not be a green jacket, but sending them home with their very own Clover Gift Set will help them relive their victory every time they pour a glass of whiskey at home. If you’re looking for some trivia questions to ask, visit The Clover on Instagram.
Raising the Stakes: Golf’s finest gentleman didn’t shy away from a bet every now and again. In fact, he bet on himself winning The Grand Slam in 1930 against great odds, winning $60,000 as a result. We’re not suggesting you raise the stakes that high, but a little friendly competition is very much a part of The Masters. At the start of your party have guests write down who their favorite for the green jacket this year will be. You can start a small pool, or you can simply award those who guess correctly with a prize, like this premium set of rocks glasses designed by Clayton & Crume.
Party Favors: Sending your guests home with a themed gift bag is a thoughtful way to thank them for spending the day with you and offers a personal touch to your party. Let the items you choose to put in your gift bags reflect your personality and the personality of your friend group. These Masters tote bags with inside jokes from The Masters would make great gift bags that guests can reuse afterward. We suggest including items that the avid golfer can never have too much of–such as golf balls, tees, or ball markers. Include a recreation of the clover pendant that Bobby Jones was known to carry in every tournament he played. Guests can add The Clover pin to their favorite golf bag or shirt for a sophisticated touch of luck. Including viewing party decorations that double as lasting mementos of the fun day is a great way to keep the memories alive until the next year's festivities. Consider these slate coasters and drinking glasses with golf quotes, perfect for any golf-themed party.
The After Par-tee
After a day of festivities and excitement, your guests may not be ready to go home just yet. Take a moment to pour one final drink together and reminisce on the highs and lows of the day. Wind down the party with one last pour of The Clover as you watch some post-match coverage or gather around the fire pit and share a final few laughs together.
After the close of the greatest week in golf, we’re ready to reminisce with you too! Join our Masters of The Glass and share photos of your Masters party set-up and your preferred way to drink The Clover during the tournament. Simply tag @thecloverwhiskey and #MastersOfTheGlass to be featured on our Instagram. Get your clubhouse-worthy bar stocked for your next championship golf viewing party–find The Clover Collection nearby or order online to have golf’s finest single-barrel whiskeys delivered straight to your door. Cheers!
