Peter Williams: Stage set for worship at Holy Grail

The US Masters actually has no right to be called a major. Compared to the venerable British Open, first played in 1860, and the US Open which began in 1895, the Masters is a mere child.

It has by far the smallest and weakest field, not only of the four majors, but of the entire year on the PGA Tour. Nowhere else do you get septuagenarians like Billy Casper playing in a serious tournament alongside the game's modern stars. There were only 93 in the in the field when things started and the scores of some old champions like Casper and Tommy Aaron and Charles Coody were so high the television coverage doesn't even include them "out of respect".

But in its 71-year history, the Masters and its famed venue have evolved into the game's Holy Grail. An opportunity to play is the most sought invitation in golf, a chance to be a 'patron' is the hottest admission ticket in sport and the securing of press accreditation the ultimate badge of honour for a writer or broadcaster.

It hasn't happened by accident. The Masters started as the Augusta National Invitation Tournament in 1934. The club and the course had opened two years prior in depression-ravaged America. Club founders Clifford Roberts and Bobby Jones needed a prominent tournament to give the place some publicity in order to sell memberships to pay for it.

It wasn't easy and Augusta National was close to going under more than once in the 1930s. But the single-mindedness of Roberts combined with Jones' legendary status, helped by financial patronage from the Singer sewing machine company, kept it afloat. The tournament officially became the Masters from 1939.

Just when, and why, it was elevated to major championship status alongside the two national opens and the US PGA is still a matter of debate. Some historians have suggested that Gene Sarazen's albatross, or double eagle, at the par five 15th in 1935 was the catalyst. Others think the Masters achieved major status when Byron Nelson beat Ben Hogan in a playoff in 1942.

There probably never was an exact time. The tournament's status evolved to its current level of importance because it's always been played on the same golf course, the most famous and recognisable in the world, and because the Masters has always set innovative standards in presentation and organisation.

The Masters was the first tournament with food and refreshment kiosks on course for spectators. Other firsts include: the paying public had on-site car parking; daily pairing sheets and a map of the course were provided free; a four-round tournament played over four days; grandstands for spectators; roped-off areas where only players and caddies were allowed; an on-course scoreboard network and, significantly, the use of the 'under and over par' scoring method instead of the unwieldy cumulative strokes total.

These are aspects of modern-day golf tournament players and spectators take for granted. All of them were introduced during Clifford Roberts' rule at Augusta National. Until his death by suicide in 1977, Roberts' word was law at Augusta National but the standards he set have been maintained as the Masters evolved.

We've become as familiar with Augusta National's back nine as we are with the layout at our local club. We love the tradition of the green jacket. The Masters is special and sport is the better for it.

- HERALD ON SUNDAY