Saturday 7 May 2011

He Won The Battles But Lost The War



He was spoken of as charismatic and a gentleman by those who knew him in Santander, which is across the Bay of Biscay from Pedrena, the town of his birth. Along with others from this golf-crazed area of Scotland, I have participated in the 'Seve Pilgrimage' to North Spain. Mention Seve to anyone and their eyes light up with adoration and fierce pride.

To high achievers in any sport battling the odds is their motivation. So it was for Seve Ballesteros and he won many battles; the British Open three times and the Masters twice.

However, sadly, he lost the war to cancer today at the young age of 54. RIP.

9 comments:

forfar-loon said...

A true legend, very sad news after such a brave fight. RIP Seve!

Jo G said...

God bless him and may he rest in peace. A gent and a genius of a player. He fought so hard during these health battles. He appeared on a news programme in the last 18 months (I think) and gave a short interview. I don't recall if it was BBC or ITV but he was clearly overwhelmed by the good wishes he'd received from all over the UK and thanked people for thinking of him. And he managed that smile of his.

Anonymous said...

A sad day for golf and golfers all over the world.

subrosa said...

Throughout my lifetime I've dragged myself along to big golfing events for various reasons but watching Seve was a pleasure rather than a punishment FL.

subrosa said...

I'm told by one who spoke to him back in the early 90s that his black eyes sparkled like fireworks when he spoke about golf. A passionate player although some 'experts' said he didn't stick to the 'how to play golf' rules Jo.

It shows bending rules is worthwhile. :)

subrosa said...

It is Junican and there was a slight sadness at local golf clubs today. 54 is no age at all.

Jo G said...

My dad didn't play but loved to watch golf. It drove mum insane except when Seve was playing. It was those sparkling dark eyes I think. He was so handsome.

Anonymous said...

Here is a little tale.

I was a keen golfer. Around 1979, I took my daughter (aged 14) to watch Sebe (because she liked him) at Hoylake in the English Open (I think).

I remember coming to a critical junction on the way there at which I could have turned left and gone to North Wales for the day (just me and her), or turned right and go to Hoylake. ERM.......go right.......

And so we watched the golf, ate ice cream, drank pop, and enjoyed the day in really pleasant weather. And we stayed on to the end - the presentation. Sebe did not win, but the whole occasion was magical.

Ah!......Memories!

subrosa said...

Lovely story Junican. I was dragged round golf tournaments by my mother and well remember 1950 whatever, when Peter Thomson won the Open at St Andrews. I saw nothing because I was so small. Regardless I managed to get the autographs of the great and good. Bobby Locke, Peter Thomson et all. My mother must have thrown out the autograph book (as she did both her childrens' memories) because there was no sign of it when I cleared her house after her death.

Now I am a golf groupie but quite enjoy it. I get the days to myself usually because I don't always follow players and I also get the nightlife. Not a bad deal and beats staying at home.

If you lived here you'd still play. They are always on the lookout for over 55s. My neighbour of 77 will be nearly finished his daily round by now. He goes off at 6.30am in summer and daybreak in winter.

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