Seve…

Like football’s Pele, the name Seve is all that’s required to recognize one of the most iconic figures in world golf.
Last year, I read Seve’s auto-biography.  Last week, I read Ollie Brown’s interview with Seve at his home in Pedreña.
I was saddened by his autobiography, surprised that such phenomenal success was blighted with self-pity, imagined slights against him, especially by the hierarchy of the U.S.P.G.A. and a general feeling that the world had failed to appreciate his genius.  Ollie Brown’s harrowing interview for the Daily Telegraph put all of Seve’s grievances into perspective, following as it did only a few months after his devestating illness with a brain tumour. The self-pity was still in evidence, but with some justification, as it was clear that Seve felt he was nearing the end of his life.
Since his life had always revolved round golf, a game he could no longer pursue, it is easy to imagine that life as he had always known it, was indeed, over. His fans will regret, as Seve clearly does, his inability to travel to St. Andrews during the Open this week. Perhaps he will recover sufficiently to leave the solitude of his home and play some sort of role in golf. At the relatively young age of 53, with memories of Major victories and Ryder Cup triumphs as player and captain, Seve has much to offer the game which he helped to transform into one of the most universally popular sports.
Long live Seve.

Tags: Football