Legend is a word far to freely used in the sporting world these days but I do not think many people would argue against using it to describe the genius that was Seve Ballesteros
Playing a sport that over the years has not been averse to elitism, sexism and indeed racism Seve showed us a different kind of game and moved from being a European star to a Global superstar mentioned in the same breath as the likes of Palmer, Nicklaus and Player
But it was about far more than his talent as a golfer. It was about the way he played the game, with a style and flair unlike any other and this endeared him to sports followers worldwide
His smile was infectious and his film star good looks made him the pin-up boy of golf but to me the lasting memory of Seve will be his celebrations at St Andrews in 1984 after his superb putt on the 18th. This has to be one of the most iconic moments in sport and still gives me tingles when I watch it today. This was a man at the top of his game doing what he loved although it always seemed to me that whatever Seve had decided to do in life he would have been a success at it and would be doing it with a smile on his face
He won 3 Opens and 2 Masters and was inspirational in the Ryder Cup as player and captain alike. The tributes paid to him by his fellow professional golfers show just how highly he was respected and revered. It is said that his great friend Jose Maria Olazabal was in tears most of the day playing his round at the Spanish Open at the weekend.
I am not a golfer myself but can still appreciate the talent and charisma that was Severiano Ballesteros. Via Con Dios Seve!
In a week that also saw us lose Henry Cooper and the great snooker commentator "Whispering" Ted Lowe I heard with sadness today that John Walker of the pop group The Walker Brothers had died in California at the age of 67 so as a mark of respect this week's blog is missing the usual flippant asides and I leave you with the words from one of hits of The Walker Brothers
The sun ain't gonna shine anymore
The moon ain't gonna rise in the sky
The tears are always clouding your eyes
Playing a sport that over the years has not been averse to elitism, sexism and indeed racism Seve showed us a different kind of game and moved from being a European star to a Global superstar mentioned in the same breath as the likes of Palmer, Nicklaus and Player
But it was about far more than his talent as a golfer. It was about the way he played the game, with a style and flair unlike any other and this endeared him to sports followers worldwide
His smile was infectious and his film star good looks made him the pin-up boy of golf but to me the lasting memory of Seve will be his celebrations at St Andrews in 1984 after his superb putt on the 18th. This has to be one of the most iconic moments in sport and still gives me tingles when I watch it today. This was a man at the top of his game doing what he loved although it always seemed to me that whatever Seve had decided to do in life he would have been a success at it and would be doing it with a smile on his face
He won 3 Opens and 2 Masters and was inspirational in the Ryder Cup as player and captain alike. The tributes paid to him by his fellow professional golfers show just how highly he was respected and revered. It is said that his great friend Jose Maria Olazabal was in tears most of the day playing his round at the Spanish Open at the weekend.
I am not a golfer myself but can still appreciate the talent and charisma that was Severiano Ballesteros. Via Con Dios Seve!
In a week that also saw us lose Henry Cooper and the great snooker commentator "Whispering" Ted Lowe I heard with sadness today that John Walker of the pop group The Walker Brothers had died in California at the age of 67 so as a mark of respect this week's blog is missing the usual flippant asides and I leave you with the words from one of hits of The Walker Brothers
The sun ain't gonna shine anymore
The moon ain't gonna rise in the sky
The tears are always clouding your eyes
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