Golf

Masters Pimento Cheese: History of the $1.50 Sandwich Legend

The Masters pimento sandwich

Amidst the manicured greens, blooming azaleas, and hushed reverence of Augusta National, another Masters tradition holds nearly as much legendary status as the Green Jacket itself: the pimento cheese sandwich. Wrapped in simple green plastic and famously priced at just $1.50, this humble concoction of cheese, mayonnaise, and pimentos served on plain white bread is more than just a snack – it’s a taste of history, albeit one with a surprisingly complex and somewhat secretive past.

Humble Beginnings: The Herndon Kitchen

While Nick Rangos is often credited with popularizing the sandwich, the story likely begins earlier. In the late 1940s, as the Masters Tournament was establishing itself, an Augusta couple named Hodges and Ola Herndon reportedly managed concessions. From their home kitchen on Kissingbower Road, they prepared simple, affordable sandwiches – including pimento cheese and egg salad – which their son Tom would deliver to the course.

Sold for just 25 cents, these sandwiches were apparently quite good. A letter dated April 12, 1948, signed by Masters co-founders Bobby Jones and Clifford Roberts, thanked the Herndons for their service and complimented the quality, noting they “were particularly pleased to learn that you could provide a really good sandwich for twenty five cents.” The Herndons continued serving the growing crowds for about a decade until the early 1950s, when the operation became too large for their home setup.

The Reign of Rangos: An Icon is Born

Around the mid-1950s (some accounts say the 1960s), concession duties shifted to Nick Rangos, a caterer from nearby Aiken, South Carolina (or Augusta, depending on the source). Rangos developed his own pimento cheese recipe, and this version became the stuff of legend. For over four decades (reports vary from 40 to 45 years), Rangos and his family supplied the Masters with his signature pimento cheese sandwiches. His recipe, served consistently year after year, became intrinsically linked with the Masters experience, earning the spread nicknames like “Carolina Caviar” or the “Pâté of the South.”

Secrets and Switches: Enter “PimentoGate”

The first major change came in 1998. Augusta National, reportedly citing food safety concerns or simply seeking a change, awarded the concessions contract, including the pimento cheese duties, to Ted Godfrey, owner of the local Wife Saver restaurant chain (which already provided fried chicken sandwiches).

Nick Rangos, unhappy about losing the business after so many years, famously refused to share his secret recipe. This left Godfrey with a significant challenge: replicating a beloved, iconic taste without the formula. Godfrey embarked on a months-long quest, experimenting with countless types of cheese to match the distinct orange color and flavor profile Rangos used. According to reports, a breakthrough came when a tournament worker provided a frozen sample of Rangos’ original spread. By analyzing this and possibly consulting Rangos’ former suppliers, Godfrey eventually developed a recipe that passed muster with the Augusta National concessions committee and satisfied patrons.

However, the saga didn’t end there. In 2013, Augusta National decided to bring all concession operations in-house. Following history’s lead, Ted Godfrey, like Rangos before him, refused to share his hard-won recipe with the club. This second instance of recipe secrecy, coupled with noticeable changes in the sandwich’s taste and texture (described by some as spicier, with more mayonnaise, or sometimes resulting in soggier bread), became known among Masters fans and media as “PimentoGate.”

Why the Legend Endures

Despite the recipe changes and behind-the-scenes drama, the pimento cheese sandwich remains a cherished Masters tradition. Several factors contribute to its enduring appeal:

  • Price: In a world of escalating costs, the $1.50 price tag is remarkably low and a point of pride for the tournament.
  • Simplicity: It’s uncomplicated, familiar comfort food.
  • Nostalgia & Tradition: For many attendees, eating the sandwich is a ritual passed down through generations, connecting them to the tournament’s past.
  • Regional Identity: Pimento cheese is a quintessential Southern food, fitting perfectly with the Augusta, Georgia setting.

A Taste of Mystery

Today, the pimento cheese sandwich served at the Masters is made by Augusta National’s in-house team. While many enjoy it, purists still debate whether it truly captures the magic of the Rangos or even the Godfrey eras. Nick Rangos passed away in 2015, taking his original secret recipe with him. Ted Godfrey also kept his version under wraps.

So, while you can find countless copycat recipes online (some claiming to be reverse-engineered from ingredients lists), the precise taste enjoyed by Masters patrons for nearly half a century remains a delicious piece of Augusta lore. The $1.50 sandwich endures, a simple, affordable, and slightly mysterious icon wrapped in green plastic.