Sports

Tributes Pour in After Death of Spanish Golf Great Seve Ballesteros

MADRID (AP) – Tributes poured in from across the globe Saturday after five-time major winner Seve Ballesteros died of brain cancer, with players moved to tears by the passing of the dashing Spaniard who transformed European golf and the Ryder Cup.

Ballesteros died one day after his family said he had severely deteriorated in his recovery from multiple surgeries to remove a malignant brain tumor in 2008. He was 54.

“His creativity and inventiveness on the golf course may never be surpassed,” Tiger Woods wrote on Twitter. “His death came much too soon.”

George O’Grady, the chief executive of the European Tour, said Ballesteros was the inspiration behind the tour.

“This is such a very sad day for all who love golf,” O’Grady said on the tour website.

“Seve’s unique legacy must be the inspiration he has given to so many to watch, support, and play golf, and finally to fight a cruel illness with equal flair, passion, and fierce determination. We have all been so blessed to live in his era.”

The Spanish Open—site of Ballesteros’ record 50th and last European Tour win in 1995—planned to honor Ballesteros with a minute‘s silence during Saturday’s third round, where former Ryder Cup partner Jose Maria Olazabal broke into tears while practicing before his tee time.

“I‘m going to play because that’s the greatest honor I could give Seve,” Olazabal, who teamed with Ballesteros to form one of the Ryder Cup’s greatest partnerships, told Spanish media. “He would have wanted the tournament to go ahead.”

Olazabal, a two-time Masters champion, recalled Ballesteros’ “strength, his fighting spirit and passion for everything he did.” He said he last met Ballesteros on April 16.

“He wasn’t well but he was lucid,” Olazabal said. “We spoke about a lot of things and memories of the Ryder Cup. The best homage we can pay him is to continue playing but I don‘t think any of the homages we make will ever be sufficient enough after everything he’s done for golf.”

Ballesteros’ funeral will be held Wednesday in Pedrena, his native home in northern Spain, with family and close friends attending the subsequent wake. Three days of official mourning will be held in Cantabria, according to regional government head Miguel Angel Revilla.

“It is such a sad day for Spain, Europe and the world of golf, which has lost one of its icons,” said Colin Montgomerie, who knew Ballesteros well from the Ryder Cup. “But it is only right to celebrate his life. It was an honor to play for him and with him.”

Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero called Ballesteros a trailblazer.

“Severiano marks a before and after point in Spanish sports—his example opened the way for the extraordinary moment which our country’s sports is living through now,” Zapatero said in a statement. “He knew how to symbolize the image of the new, democratic Spain.”

Spanish golf federation President Gonzaga Escauriaza said Ballesteros was a “unique, unrepeatable person.”

“We have to recognize we are where we are now, that golf is a popular sport … in large part to Severiano Ballesteros,” Escauriaza said. “We all owe him a lot.”

No. 1-ranked Lee Westwood wrote on Twitter: “It’s a sad day. Lost an inspiration, genius, roll model, hero and friend. Seve made European golf what it is today. RIP Seve.”

Three-time major winner Nick Price said Ballesteros was “light years ahead” after seeing him for the first time when they were both 21, calling it a “mesmerizing” moment.

The pair dueled at the 1988 British Open, with Ballesteros rallying from a two-stroke deficit to beat Price by two shots with a final round 65 for his last major win.

“He did for European golf what Tiger Woods did for worldwide golf. The European Tour would not be where it is today if not for Seve Ballesteros,” Price, whose brother died from the same ailment last year, said from a Champions Tour event in Alabama. “His allegiance to the European Tour was admirable. The guy, he was an icon, just an incredible golfer.”

Fanny Sunesson, the former caddie for Nick Faldo during some of those Ryder Cups, was asked her recollections and began to cry. “The tears say it all,” she said.

Tom Lehman, the 1996 British Open champion, recalled Ballesteros’ kindness.

“Such a competitive guy, so I always appreciated that he took the time to say something nice,” Lehman said. “As a competitor, he didn’t have to do that, but he did.”

He also marveled at the Spaniard’s attitude.

“I think his body language was the strongest of anybody, maybe save Tiger in recent years,” Lehman added. “I’ve always said that his body language said, ‘Hey, I may have hit a really crappy shot right there, but if you miss this next one, you’ll miss the greatest shot ever hit.‘ That’s just the way he walked, the way he acted, the way he carried himself. He never seemed to ever doubt his ability. That’s what makes a champion.”

Four-time Grand Slam tennis champion Manolo Santana, Spain’s most celebrated athlete before Ballesteros burst onto the sporting scene, said the farmer’s son did for golf what he did for tennis.

“Seve was a tremendous sporting export for our country with his victories across the world,” Santana said. “Seve was an incredible person.”

Comments (30)

  • Getten
    Posted on May 10, 2011 at 10:54am

    Ballesteros was one of golf’s great classic competitors. The game is unique in the world of sports and the man was unique in the world of golf.

    Report Post » Getten  
  • Liberty7
    Posted on May 8, 2011 at 11:21am

    God created this incredible human being and golf was his way of sharing his creation with all the world. Golf has lost an icon and trailblazer and we are all the poorer with Seve’s death. Thanks for the memories Seve and oh, I have heard there are no bogeys in heaven.

    Report Post »  
  • MikeinIdaho
    Posted on May 8, 2011 at 9:51am

    RIP Seve, you were always fun to watch! And your attitude was always something to be admired and copied.

    Report Post » MikeinIdaho  
  • GRANNYMOO
    Posted on May 7, 2011 at 10:32pm

    Gonna be missed!! What a champion!!

    Report Post »  
  • MacWell
    Posted on May 7, 2011 at 9:51pm

    Never heard a bad word spoken about him, by anyone. Seve was one of the good guys and the game of golf is less because of loosing him.

    Report Post » MacWell  
  • RightPolitically
    Posted on May 7, 2011 at 9:44pm

    Terrible end to a great guy, loved by many in and out of golf. Prayers for his family.

    Report Post » RightPolitically  
  • kingofrants
    Posted on May 7, 2011 at 7:10pm

    Seve was the first golfer I ever saw that broke the rules of playing the course as it was laid out – and it was genius. I remember watching him as a boy tear up Augusta by hitting balls into different fairways just to attempt to get better angles into the lightning fast greens of Augusta in a late final round afternoon. His spirit and fearlessness rubbed off noticably on Olazabal, Garcia and likely a cast of young talented onlookers who were amazed by the wild but yet effective style of his game.

    The guy could flat out putt when it mattered too.

    Golf has lost another legend but through this loss we are reminded of how much of a gamechanger he was for the game 30 years forward from his prime.

    Report Post »  
  • Divothead
    Posted on May 7, 2011 at 5:45pm

    Shot maker, player … CHAMPION. RIP Seve.

    Report Post »  
  • sandyn
    Posted on May 7, 2011 at 5:15pm

    No one loved the game more than Seve. He played with a passion and dedication few give to anything these days. He was admired and respected by his peers and that tells all.

    Report Post »  
  • TRONINTHEMORNING
    Posted on May 7, 2011 at 4:46pm

    I feel terrible for his family! What a loss and I don’t even play golf.

    Report Post »  
  • EP46
    Posted on May 7, 2011 at 3:55pm

    No one ever looked as great in the Green Jacket as Seve did. Great golfer.

    Report Post »  
  • retriever
    Posted on May 7, 2011 at 3:42pm

    Seve was good guy. R.I.P. SEVE!

    Report Post »  
  • Rob
    Posted on May 7, 2011 at 3:42pm

    Never heard of him

    Report Post »  
  • Steel Awesome
    Posted on May 7, 2011 at 3:26pm

    From all accounts, Seve was a true gentleman who elevated the sport of golf every time he set foot on a course.

    Report Post » Steel Awesome  
  • Chicago Ray
    Posted on May 7, 2011 at 3:14pm

    Couldn’t a been a dozen crack dealers, or Michael Moore, or Charlie Sheen, got to be someone actually doing some good in the world as usual :( To young to go at 53.

    Yet we have people like Lohan and friends begging for death and get life in return with mounds of money attached nonetheless….. Only in America. :(

    Report Post » One Man Progressive Wrecking Crew  
  • dealer@678
    Posted on May 7, 2011 at 2:48pm

    I grew up watching this man play golf. Was’nt afraid of any shot. Very exciting to watch

    Report Post »  
  • Marylou7
    Posted on May 7, 2011 at 2:29pm

    Golf is not my game but this gentleman always stood out. May God be with his family.

    Report Post » Marylou7  
  • MidWestMom
    Posted on May 7, 2011 at 2:22pm

    Sad & tragic loss. Prayers to his family & friends. I remember when he was a “rookie” on the pro tour…..

    Report Post »  
    • grandmaof5
      Posted on May 7, 2011 at 2:51pm

      It speaks to the quality of the man when the menu honors Seve on the eve of The Masters because he could not be there in person. This man was a true hero and will be sorely missed by the golfing world, family and friends. RIP.

      Report Post »  
    • ISeeDanger.com
      Posted on May 7, 2011 at 2:52pm

      Seve had something most do not…
      Character…
      A great man.
      http://www.ISeeDanger.com

      Report Post » ISeeDanger.com  
    • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
      Posted on May 7, 2011 at 2:55pm

      Another one of the great changers of the world, in their own ways, has passed on to the heavens above; his influence will continue on for many generations in making the game he so loved, and the lives he touched better always.

      Now the golf courses of paradise await him, and the smile of God and the angels as well.

      Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • poverty.sucks
      Posted on May 7, 2011 at 3:01pm

      Rodriquez was a gentleman.

      Report Post » poverty.sucks  
    • Professional Infidel
      Posted on May 7, 2011 at 3:22pm

      Whats golf, Who’s he?? Myself I play the radio, the best!!

      Report Post »  
    • Finch88
      Posted on May 7, 2011 at 3:49pm

      Prayers to the family.

      http://politicalbowl.com – Political Videos

      Report Post »  
    • We Are Not Alone
      Posted on May 7, 2011 at 4:24pm

      Prayers to the family, he will be missed….. watched him for years and loved him….. great smile…. he’s smiling down from heaven… I hope they have golf courses in heaven but I’ll wait to get there, I hope.

      Report Post » Want our country back  
    • Steverino
      Posted on May 7, 2011 at 4:49pm

      Man, Seve could STRAIGHT OUT play the game. Tiger owes, in some small part, a debt of gratitude to this man. I saw him pull some stuff off that was considered impossible. Until, of course, Tiger made it somewhat more “normal”. Great imagination and shotmaker. A loss to the world of golf and his family no doubt.
      Hopefully he‘s up there knockin’ the snot out of that little white ball with the big guy…
      Steve

      Report Post »  
    • GONESURFING
      Posted on May 7, 2011 at 5:09pm

      Seve was a great inspiration to many, gone way too soon, may he rest in peace in the great golf course in the heavens.

      Report Post » GONESURFING  
    • grumpyt
      Posted on May 7, 2011 at 5:45pm

      Makes you wonder if cell phones are to blame. My “brother” Mike “Deltoid” Bland, Teddy Kennedy and now Seve. Lots of cases of brain cancer lately.

      Report Post » grumpyt  
    • Deb C
      Posted on May 7, 2011 at 6:39pm

      People die way before their time.

      Report Post » Deb C  

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