Author Topic: Seve Ballesteros a sporting legend dies (Read 3044 times)

conman · « **Reply #120 on:** May 9, 2011, 03:52:54 PM »

"Seve was the Maradona of Golf"
- Diego

Football legend Diego Armando Maradona was another of sport’s greats to pay homage to Seve Ballesteros.

“I want to send my condolences to Seve’s family,” he told Marca’s Juan Castro in a Saturday morning phone call. “The news [of his death] has really touched me profoundly. Those of us who are huge fans of his sport understand and hugely value the effort he made to stand up and fight this terrible disease.

“I met him a few times and he struck me as a normal guy, a genius who had his feet on the ground. Despite the fact that he was such a giant, he always treated me wonderfully.”

While he was once a keen golfer, Maradona no longer plays the game. But he described Seve as an historic player.

“You could say he is the Maradona of golf,” the Argentinian suggested. “The Tiger Woods phenomenon is more recent. I’m more of Seve’s era, he’s part of my generation along with other greats like [13 time world champion motorcyclist] Angel Nieto. You could say that we are from the same litter and that’s why our affection was mutual.”

Speaking of Seve’s death at the age of 54, Maradona added: “You could say that these things are distractions by God. God sometimes gets distracted and lets people go who gave others such pleasure while leaving the worst people on earth. God turned his back for a moment and Seve left us. That prevented the people from continuing to show Seve their love for him.

“I will always cherish the same image of Seve in my mind: neat and tidy with his hair perfectly coiffed… he was a young gentleman, a great. I am truly sorry and pass on my condolonces to the family.”

conman · « **Reply #121 on:** May 9, 2011, 03:57:09 PM »

oh my workmate was saying this morning that he went to the Irish open in Royal Dublin, perhaps in '85?
Well, he visited with his friend who brought along his big German Sheppard. The dog was trained and was immaculatley well behaved, responded to any order and was as quiet as can be on a Golf course.. Shows how Sport has changed now when you think about it, Dogs and so forth are not allowed anywhere near such an event these days. But anyway, they followed Seve in a practice round, the 2 lads and the German Sheppard. Seve kept on looking over after each hole, intrigued and curious about a big dog well behaved and following him around a golf course.. So after the 12th hole he headed over to the lads, got down in his hunkers and said "niceee Dog", and stayed for 2-3 mins chatting about German Sheppards and how lovely this one was..

he really understood that Golf was about entertainment as well as sportsmanship, terrific guy..

conman · « **Reply #122 on:** May 9, 2011, 04:03:50 PM »

“I went as a boy to watch a practice round for the Irish Open at Royal Dublin. There might have been only 20 or 30 people around the tee at the par four 16th at the time and, with typical Irish humour, somebody challenged him to try to drive the green on his knees. The hole was about 280 yards and he did it.”
- Paul McGinley..

RedRabbit · « **Reply #123 on:** May 9, 2011, 04:06:01 PM »

The most natural golfer I've ever had the privilege to see play the game.

Thank you Seve. You were a genius.

redoneusa · « **Reply #124 on:** May 9, 2011, 05:44:28 PM »

RIP. Not much of a fan of the sport but he ranks amongst the very best.

Inspired many to play the game I am sure, always came across as a nice bloke.

Chaztastic · « **Reply #125 on:** May 10, 2011, 11:44:30 AM »

I was away at the weekend and somewhat out of the loop in terms of current events, but I caught a brief glimpse of Jose Maria Olazabal on screen surrounded by a mob of reporters and just knew what must have happened.

I won't pretend to be a huge fan of golf having not played the game since I was a young shaver, but what I will say is every so often a human being comes along who transcends their sport, someone who is not so much head and shoulders above everyone else, but a virtual deity amongst men. For me Seve Ballesteros is an exemplar of this. I can think of few in modern sporting history with such talent and charisma in equal abundance. It takes a lot to move me, but a tear was shed this weekend.

R.I.P. Seve.

The 5th Benitle · « **Reply #126 on:** May 10, 2011, 07:34:55 PM »

Another pic of me and my bro with the great man. Happy days.

Chaztastic · « **Reply #127 on:** May 11, 2011, 10:16:47 AM »

Quote from: The 5th Benitle on May 10, 2011, 07:34:55 PM

Another pic of me and my bro with the great man. Happy days.

Great photo James. A memory to cherish.

Chaztastic · « **Reply #128 on:** May 11, 2011, 12:37:01 PM »

Seve's funeral is underway. Once again the tributes are overwhelming.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/golf/13344400.stm

May he rest in peace for all eternity.

conman · « **Reply #129 on:** May 11, 2011, 12:46:22 PM »

Quote from: Red Tsar on May 11, 2011, 10:16:47 AM

Great photo James. A memory to cherish.

certainly is

only5times · « **Reply #130 on:** May 11, 2011, 03:10:01 PM »

Buried in the same grave as his dad. He's one over pa again.

Merengue · « **Reply #131 on:** May 11, 2011, 05:37:32 PM »

More about the funeral here (only in spanish)
http://www.eldiariomontanes.es/

The 5th Benitle · « **Reply #132 on:** May 11, 2011, 05:38:27 PM »

Quote from: Red Tsar on May 11, 2011, 10:16:47 AM

Great photo James. A memory to cherish.

Certainly is mate. And reading Seve's words out at my Dad's funeral was very moving, looking back on it now even more so.

sisterbliss · « **Reply #133 on:** May 11, 2011, 05:53:03 PM »

Just seen on the news about Seve's funeral so so sad that another great and humble man can be taken at such a young age. Never forgot his roots where he will live on forever.

RIP Seve

Upanishad · « **Reply #134 on:** July 11, 2011, 01:12:23 PM »

Did anyone else see the documentary about him last night? I found it very emotional.

Thought Gary Lineker was really poor as the presenter. Some great clips and funny stories from his caddies. What a man!

rednile · « **Reply #135 on:** July 11, 2011, 01:18:01 PM »

For anyone who never seen Seve The Legend

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b012lt4d/Seve_The_Legend/

Upanishad · « **Reply #136 on:** July 11, 2011, 01:24:20 PM »

I want to get a framed copy of that photo of Seve and Olazabal shaking hands after their epic win at Kiawah Island. Used to have it as a kid, the shadow photo with orange sky. (p.s. what a crying shame Langer couldn't roll in that putt to win the cup!....)

Upanishad · « **Reply #137 on:** July 11, 2011, 01:27:40 PM »

Here it is, they reckoned it was their best ever round together:
http://www.gettyimages.co.uk/detail/79035472/Bob-Thomas-Sports-Photography

stevied · « **Reply #138 on:** July 11, 2011, 01:51:06 PM »

excellent programme last night, loved the man a true inspiration to many and loved by all his fellow golfers , the Woods bit about the bunker lesson was fantastic
I assume there will be a big Seve tribute at the Open this week i hear there are big Seve posters in the village on course, legend gets used to often not in this case though

Ziltoid · « **Reply #139 on:** July 11, 2011, 01:54:46 PM »

I started to watch but i got all emotional for no real reason. Got it recorded so i might watch it tonight.

stevied · « **Reply #140 on:** July 11, 2011, 01:57:01 PM »

Quote from: Ziltoid on July 11, 2011, 01:54:46 PM

I started to watch but i got all emotional for no real reason. Got it recorded so i might watch it tonight.

Its worth watching mate, i thought i was going to get emotional but kept with it and was ok , theres a bit with Ken Brown thats a gut wrencher but you will feel better for watching it

rednile · « **Reply #141 on:** July 11, 2011, 02:08:59 PM »

Quote from: stevied on July 11, 2011, 01:57:01 PM

Its worth watching mate, i thought i was going to get emotional but kept with it and was ok , theres a bit with Ken Brown thats a gut wrencher but you will feel better for watching it

It was hard to watch near the end and did bring tears to your eyes , Great man and great player .

The part were he was playing Nick Price in the World Matchplay did make me laugh - funny .

Upanishad · « **Reply #142 on:** July 11, 2011, 02:11:31 PM »

Quote from: stevied on July 11, 2011, 01:57:01 PM

Its worth watching mate, i thought i was going to get emotional but kept with it and was ok , theres a bit with Ken Brown thats a gut wrencher but you will feel better for watching it

Seve's message to everyone at the end of the programme saying "don't worry about me, I've had a wonderful life, others have suffered more" was very touching also.

Stussy · « **Reply #143 on:** July 11, 2011, 03:31:20 PM »

Wonderful programme. Do watch it.

Red_Rich · « **Reply #144 on:** July 11, 2011, 03:41:39 PM »

Quote from: Upanishad on July 11, 2011, 01:12:23 PM

Did anyone else see the documentary about him last night? I found it very emotional.

Thought Gary Lineker was really poor as the presenter. Some great clips and funny stories from his caddies. What a man!

Great programme, just watched it. You're right, Lineker was shite and I loved it when that young lad in the Ballesteros family said to him "yeah, I've seen you on TV" hahahahahahaha. Not "Yeah, you're a footballing legend" but only that he presents BBC footy.

conman · « **Reply #145 on:** July 11, 2011, 08:04:12 PM »

It was a great program alright, watched it last night.. will have do grab a copy of both these documentaries ..

Mad Men · « **Reply #146 on:** July 14, 2011, 08:55:36 AM »

Always remembered. Never forgotten. What a legend.

In Fowler we trust · « **Reply #147 on:** July 14, 2011, 09:54:16 AM »

I watched the tribute - very moving

Used to fancy him like mad when I was younger

RIP Seve