A Handshake Deal at the Masters Led to a $75,000 Catering Bill, a Furious Courtroom Feud, and a Costly Jury Verdict

A handshake agreement to feed golf spectators during the Masters Tournament spiraled into a bitter legal brawl, leaving an amateur golf champion’s father on the hook for a massive five-figure payout. John Hagestad was ordered by a civil jury to pay more than $60,000 to Hanna Carroll Restaurant Group after refusing to settle an unquoted catering bill that escalated to nearly $85,000.

The dispute proves that even high-end hospitality arrangements without signed paperwork can lead to enforceable, high-stakes contract liability in court.

How an Impressive Dinner Turned Into an Unsigned Master’s Agreement

The dispute began after John Hagestad and his wife dined at an Orange County restaurant operated by the Hanna Carroll Restaurant Group. Thoroughly impressed by the dining experience, the couple reached out directly to the company’s chief operating officer, Dave Hanna.

Hagestad requested that the restaurant group provide upscale catering for an entourage of 20 to 30 guests watching his son, Stewart Hagestad, compete at the prestigious tournament in Augusta, Georgia.

The culinary team crafted and agreed upon an extensive menu before the tournament kicked off. Yet, neither party ever finalized a pricing schedule or signed a written contract.

A chef in a black and white uniform expertly plates portions of food from elegant buffet trays.

Over the course of five days, the catering firm supplied daily breakfasts, dinners, and a full open bar for roughly 25 attendees per meal. When the hospitality concluded, the group issued a bill that caught the client entirely off guard.

The Invoice Shock: From $75,000 to an Escalated Penalty

Following the final round, Hanna Carroll Restaurant Group submitted an invoice totaling $74,960. Hagestad objected immediately in writing to Dave Hanna, asserting that he never would have approved the service had he known the price tag in advance.

The restaurant group pushed back forcefully. Rather than negotiating a discount, leadership issued a revised bill for $84,960, revoking an initial $5,000 courtesy discount and adding a $5,000 late fee.

An informal agreement on services without pricing does not shield a client from liability once the services are accepted and consumed.

When Hagestad refused to remit payment, the restaurant group filed a formal breach of contract lawsuit to recover the full balance.

Myth vs. Reality in Verbal Catering Deals

Many private hosts assume that if no contract is signed and no price is quoted, a service provider cannot legally force them to pay an exorbitant final tab.

Contract law routinely rejects that assumption. When a client requests custom services, approves a detailed menu, and allows staff to serve food and alcohol over multiple days, courts recognize the formation of an implied-in-fact contract.

At trial, Hagestad conceded that the restaurant group provided the meals and drinks as described. His defense rested primarily on the argument that the billing rates were unreasonable and excessive.

The Post-Trial Battle Over Legal Fees

The jury found squarely in favor of the restaurant group, rendering a verdict for just over $60,000. However, the legal maneuvering did not stop at the jury award.

The Failed $80,000 Fee Demand

Hanna Carroll Restaurant Group filed a post-trial motion seeking more than $80,000 in cost-of-proof statutory fees. The company argued Hagestad had improperly denied formal requests for admission regarding whether he contracted for seven full days of tournament services.

A trial court granted only $1,950 of that claim, noting the restaurant group failed to show detailed expenses directly tied to proving contract formation. Both sides appealed the fee ruling, but an appellate court affirmed the decision.

The court stated that Hagestad “had a duty to admit the portions of the request that were true,” but he denied the entire request for admission.

The appellate court also upheld the trial judge’s rejection of more than $25,000 in court reporting costs because the firm could not prove they were legally recoverable transcripts.

📱 High-dollar events demand upfront paper trails, regardless of mutual connections or past dining experiences.

✨ While the hospitality group took home over $60,000, both parties incurred years of litigation costs that clear contract terms could have avoided entirely.

💬 Drop your thoughts in the comments below: Would you dispute a $75,000 catering bill if no price was discussed up front?

👇 Share this story with anyone planning private hospitality or catering for an upcoming tournament.