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AUGUSTA, Ga. — On Tuesday night the most exclusive group in one of the most private clubs in the United States had its annual dinner. They drank wine and enjoyed a menu chosen by its newest member, a traditional Basque feast that spoke to his ancestry.

They sat and told stories. Of Seve Ballesteros, a Spaniard who played the game of golf four decades ago with such joy and artistry he defied convention and blazed his own way. He was a member of this group once, but taken away too soon. Those who knew him will never tire of speaking about him, and those who didn’t, including Jon Rahm, the man of honor on this night, will hang on every word of those tall tales.

It was a wonderful night full of laughter and camaraderie, those who attended the Champions Dinner at the 88th Masters said, and at the end of it, Tom Watson asked Augusta National Golf Club Chairman Fred Ridley if he might mind if Watson spoke to the other 33 men in the room. Ridley urged him to do so.

“I’m looking around the room, and I’m seeing just a wonderful experience everybody is having. They are jovial. They are having a great time. They are laughing. I said, ‘Ain’t it good to be together again?’” Watson says.

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