In 1963, Masterton Public Relations Officer Len Bergman came up with a great idea of how to bring tourists and recognition to the town. An ambitious sporting spectacle staged over two weeks consisting of 40 sports and talent from all over the country. The Masterton Golden Games were the start of a proposed biennial festival which would help put Masterton on the map. From rugby to living chess and from local sportspeople to Peter Snell, the 1963 Golden Games were an event well worth celebrating and a proud moment of our history.