[Photo: David Berding]
We’re going to have to start this post with an apology. In the past handful of years, I’ve been compiling our annual list of tributes for golf greats who have passed away. Golf lost some icons in 2025, from Judy Bell to Fuzzy Zoeller to Kultida Woods. Unfortunately, I forgot to add a critical figure that looms over Masters history and had become a home away from home for golf legend John Daly:
The Augusta Hooters at 2834 Washington Rd.
RELATED: ‘Sad day for America’: Witness the demolished Augusta Hooters that John Daly once made home
Not only was the vaunted restaurant closed in 2025, but it was eventually demolished, ensuring that no Masters patrons will be able to devour Hooters Daytona Beach® Style Wings in between rounds. As many are aware, Daly was known for camping out at the chain restaurant, signing merchandise, selling cigars and perhaps even drinking a Miller Lite or two. This was a hell of a loss for the 59-year-old, but as always, Daly has found a solution.
Jim Nantz: “Welcome to the springtime melody that is the Masters, that timeless Augusta tradition.”
John Daly, signing a Hooters calendar: “people put oranges in their Blue Moon but I prefer a little splash of nacho cheese” pic.twitter.com/yZuEQo4WFH
— Clue Heywood (@ClueHeywood) April 9, 2023
The Masters is three months away, however Daly has already announced that he’ll be teaming up with Top Dawg Tavern, which is also located on Washington Rd. The site is just a few metres away from the decimated Hooters, which is a beautiful tribute from one of golf’s most illustrious figures.
Top Dawg Tavern is a self-described “casual tavern featuring fried eats, burgers and wings”, so it’s not too difficult to imagine Daly setting up shop there. And yes, thankfully for everyone involved, they have Miller Lite.
John Daly has been an Augusta staple, posting up in his RV in the Hooters carpark since 1997. We’re glad to see that Daly won’t let late-stage capitalism slow him down. The man wants to kick it with lucky golf nerds and Georgia locals for a week or so every April, and doggone it, he’ll find a way!
