Golf great Seve Ballesteros dies at 54

[BaaBaa.]

Spanish golf legend Seve Ballesteros has died after a protracted battle with cancer.

The 54-year-old had health problems since being diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2008 after losing consciousness at Madrid Airport.

The five-time major winner had four operations to remove the tumour as well as undergoing chemotherapy.

Tennis star Rafael Nadal described Ballesteros as a "reference point" for Spanish athletes.

"He's one of the greats of this country without a doubt," he said.

Ballesteros, who claimed 87 titles over his career, won the Open in 1979, 1984 and 1988 and became the first European to win the Augusta Masters in 1980, repeating the feat in 1983.

He also enjoyed a successful Ryder Cup career as both player and captain - playing in eight Ryder Cups and winning 20 points from 37 matches before guiding Europe to victory over the United States at Valderrama in 1997.

He appeared in public for the first time following the surgery in May 2009 when he went to watch his local football team Racing Santander and was given a standing ovation.

He had called his battle against the tumour the "hardest challenge of my life."

BBC

[barrys]

That's really sad - he did so much to popularise golf with his direct, aggressive play and enthusiasm.

A great ambassador for the sport - he'll be greatly missed.

RIP Seve

[HAPPYGOLFER]

Spanish state television TVE reports online that former golfer Severiano Ballesteros has died.

Rest in peace my friend, one of the great ,great golfers has past away The world has not only lost a man, but a great human beeing

[HAPPYGOLFER]

http://www.seveballesteros.com/noticia. ... ews=70&pg=

This website is his own, and can tell you more his life

[petercr]

Really sad news, a great human being indeed

[JimmyGreaves]

Yes, very sad news and so so young!

[redzonerocker]

Really sad news but not totally unexpected

A real legend in the world of golf & a genuine likeable guy.

R.I.P Seve

[JW]

Cant believe it. Quite simply the saddest day in golf. Seve was such a star and was key in the growth of world golf, a kid who started hitting stones on the beach with a cobbled together 3 iron became an icon and a hero to the whole world of sport. There are so many people out there today who feel a huge loss - when Seve made eye contact with you and gave that famous smile you really felt like he connected, he appreciated his fans and always went out of his way to let you know. Anyone out there who saw him live will know that feeling. Many tears shed today for the great man.
Never ever to be forgotten.

[hhfarang]

^ Agree with that very good post JW. I watched him play half of my life and admired him every time I saw him in a tournament. Not only could he hit the perfect shot, but when he didn't he was one of the most imaginative and successful recovery shot makers I've ever seen. He will be missed by all serious golf enthusiasts of our time.

R.I.P. Seve, I hope there are great courses wherever you are now!

[JW]

The man had an aura that you couldn't fail to feel, very special guy to watch, please you had the chance to see him HHF. Hope that the European tour honour Seve by changing their logo, there are a lot of players pushing for this, would be a fitting tribute.
I also hope that there are some great places to play where he is now,hopefully with some car parks....and a fully fit back!

[hhfarang]

The man had an aura that you couldn't fail to feel, very special guy to watch, please you had the chance to see him HHF.

That was mostly on TV JW. I did see him play (briefly) in person once though. I was at the 1982 U.S. Open at Pebble Beach and watched him on the range saw some of his shots on Thursday and Friday (unfortunately, he didn't make the cut that year).

From everything I've read about him, he was a great man both on and off the course.

[JW]

Its shame you didnt get to see him on the course, me and my mates always made a point of watching Seve for a few holes whenever we could - seeing him play badly was more fun than watching Faldo shoot 63!
Saw him hit a 1 iron from a bear sandy lie at Turnberry - he had about 210 yards into a gale - with a bush in front - the shot had about 30 yards of cut and flew about 8 feet high to 2 feet - that shot and the noise it made will never leave my memory....
I took my mum to the Open at Birkdale and she melted when she saw Seve (shit he's handsome were her exact words!), on one of the tee boxes he did his usual smile to those around the tee and just gave my mum an extended look and a nod - he was my hero for that, I guess he did it maybe a 100 times a day but he made mum really happy!
His influence on the world of golf is huge and its so sad that he didnt get to play into old age.

[Big Boy]

I'm not a golf fan , but the one time I watched it live was at a Ryder Cup at the Belfry. It seemed every tee shot I saw him make was an absolute disaster. However, every 2nd shot was a stroke of genius.

[JW]

Thats what made him great to watch, these mad shots that no one else had to hit!

Here's one -

Enjoy!