Seve progressing

In roughly the Spanish equivalent to the BBC’s ‘Sport’s Personality of the Year’ award, Seve Ballesteros, looking noticably stronger after his long battle with a brain tumour, received a standing ovation from the 200 strong invited audience as he received the ‘Francisco Fernandez Ochoa’ lifetime achievement award. Paradoxically Seve was often better known and, dare I say it, loved abroad especially during his heyday; having to contend with the average Spanish señor’s conception of golf as a minority sport. This was borne out by his singular determination to bring the Ryder Cup to Spain in 97 without much in the way of institutional support – unlike Madrid’s campaign for 2018. It was fitting then that he received the award at the hands of King Juan Carlos who jokingly gave him a gentle slap and enquired whether he needed help lifting it. Not a chance! Seve picked up the trophy with the same  pride as he did to match the 80 plus tournaments won around the world. He also expressed that, although taking each day at a time, his immediate goal was to participate in the ‘Champions Event’ at St Andrews on the eve of The Open. Thirty-two other past winners have also been invited to play in this special four-hole curtain raiser event. Many tears have been shed over the years witnessing the likes of Jack Nicklaus bringing their careers to a close on the Swilken Burn bridge. For a fellow European that inspired a generation of golfers to pick up a club in the first place, what is the likelihood, upon reaching the bridge, that there will be a dry eye left in the house?

Tags: Seve Ballesteros, Severiano Ballesteros