Images show how Augusta National has transformed in the past 80 years |

It has hosted some of the greatest sportsman in history and staged some of the most memorable moments in golf.

Legends such as Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer have graced the fairways and taken home the coveted green jacket, and on Thursday the likes of Jordan Speith will be looking to do the same in the 80th Masters tournament.

But before Augusta National became and one of the most famous courses in the world, and the stage of one of the biggest events in the sporting calendar, the grounds were not as much of a golfer's haven.

The site where the iconic 18 holes sit was once Fruitlands Nursery, where millions of peaches were planted every year.

The last owners of the huge property, which now acts as the clubhouse, were Belgium immigrants, father and son Louis and Prosper Berckmans.

Then, in 1933, legendary golfer Bobby Jones founded the course. A year later he hosted the first Masters tournament.

Every year since it has been the first major tournament of the year - followed by the British Open, the US Open and the PGA Championships.

The earliest known photo is taken of the Augusta National Clubhouse in the 1890s (left), around 40 years before it hosted the first Masters tournament

Now it is one of the most recognizable buildings in sport

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The earliest known photo is taken of the Augusta National Clubhouse in the 1890s (left), around 40 years before it hosted the first Masters tournament. Now it is one of the most recognizable buildings in sport

In the 19th century, the clubhouse was used as a residence by the family of Louis and Prosper Berckmans, who owned the Fruitlands Nursery that dominated the site

A general view of the clubhouse during the Drive, Chip and Putt Championship at Augusta

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In the 19th century, the clubhouse was used as a residence by the family of Louis and Prosper Berckmans, who owned the Fruitlands Nursery that dominated the site

In 2015, crowds gather around the 16th hole, also known as Redbud, which is the focal point of the final stretch of holes and

Cows are seen grazing the fields outside the clubhouse in 1944 as part of the war effort. The golf course had been open for 10 years by that time

Over the years a number of architects have made subtle changes to the layout - such as changing the shapes of greens or adding bunkers - but the main landmarks have remained in place.

Over the years they have also hosted other, more unusual residents. In 1944, a herd of cows was allowed to graze outside the clubhouse as part of the war effort.

But, despite the unwavering commitment to tradition, Augusta National has been accused of being stuck in the past but club chairman Billy Payne on Wednesday assured that the home of the Masters is prepared for change.

Even at staid Augusta National, change is inevitable and Payne was asked to gaze into a crystal ball and comment on everything from his own future and Arnold Palmer's status as an honorary starter to tweaking the golf course that hosts the year's first major.

Certainly these are far less turbulent times for one of the world's most exclusive and secretive clubs, allowing Payne to almost whimsically project about what lies ahead while speaking at his annual State of the Masters address.

Intensely private, Augusta National was in an unwanted and uncomfortable global spotlight in the early 2000s because of its long standing men-only membership policy.

After years of mounting pressure, the club finally relented and in 2012 opened its stately doors to women.

Much about Augusta National, however, remains closed with the culture of privacy intact.

Charming and chatty on the eve of the 80th Masters, Payne was loathe to reveal many details, no matter how insignificant, preferring instead to talk about the grander big picture.

'All of our members are very much aware of the responsibility that we have inherited to organise and then execute a golf tournament which we hope and believe is one of the premiere annual sporting events in the world,' said Payne.

Bobby Jones (right) who founded the course in 1933, plays his tee shot on the first hole in front of a crowd during the 1935 Masters tournament

In the distance, Jones tees off again during a competition some years later, the date of which is not known

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A spectacular aerial view captures Augusta just after it had been completed in 1933. Now the course is dotted with stands and spectator areas for the annual blockbuster event

'Our founders, Bobby Jones and Clifford Roberts, set incredibly high standards as they continuously, obsessively mandated that our tournament be better every year.

'We do try hard to meet the already very high expectations of the players, our patrons, our millions of fans around the world, and you, the press.

'Whether working to grow the game, or making the tournament better for our many constituents, we at Augusta National Golf Club remain committed, when called upon by our partners, to help, or to create when we happen to have a promising idea.'

Payne took over from Hootie Johnson as club chairman in 2006 and has shepherded Augusta National into a new era, welcoming Condoleezza Rice and Darla Moore as the first women members and developing a social media and digital media presence while expanding the Masters global television coverage.

In recent years, the club has displayed progressive vision and long-range planning as it focuses its considerable resources and efforts on growing the game around the world while widening the club's boundaries at home.

Augusta National continues to buy up property as it expands its borders with ambitious plans that include at new state-of-the-art media centre that will connect journalists to the course via an underground tunnel.

With increased property for the course, there are studies underway looking at lengthening holes, including the par-five 13th which concludes the famous three-hole stretch that is widely known as Amen Corner.

'We build these buildings, we stay on top of all technologies, because we are going to be the best,' declared Payne, who oversaw the running of the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. 'Nobody is going to be better than us in that respect.

Hailstones cover the putting green which sits in front of the clubhouse. It's where players will make their final preparations for their round

An early general view of Magnolia Lane leading into what is now Founder's Circle at Augusta National Golf Club in the 1920s in Augusta, Georgia

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An 1920s general view (left) of Magnolia Lane leading into what is now Founder's Circle at Augusta National Golf Club

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An image is captured from the back of the 17th tee in the early years of the course. On the right Lee Westwood tees off during the third round of the 2014 Masters

'Slammin' Sam Snead, of Hot Springs, Virginia, drives during opening round play at the Masters' golf tournament around 70 years ago. Snead carded a 71, one stroke under the course par.

A picture from above captures the stunning Eisenhower cabin at Augusta National Golf Course

The building (pictured in 2012) was constructed in the early 1950s after Dwight Eisenhower was elected as president. There are 10 cabins on the grounds of Augusta National Golf Club, available to members (and their guests) as lodging

A painting of the clubhouse and a nearby cabin at Augusta circa 1935

Images show how Augusta National has transformed in the past 80 years

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