Saturday, May 7, 2011
Reactions to the death of Seve Ballesteros
Seve Ballesteros of Spain hiting a tee shot at the 4th hole during the second round of the 71st Masters Golf Tournament in Augusta, Georgia, April 6th 2007.
Tributes to Seve Ballesteros have poured in following his death at the age of 54, with Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus among those speaking of his talent, creativity and influence, while IOC president Jacques Rogge called him a "once in a generation" athlete.
A selection of tributes to Spain's five-time major winner follows:
Jack Nicklaus: "Today, golf lost a great champion and a great friend. We also lost a great entertainer and ambassador for our sport.
"I have always had wonderful respect for Seve's ability, how he played the game, and the flair he brought to the sport while achieving the success he did. It was his creativity, his imagination, and his desire to compete that made him so popular not only in Europe but throughout American galleries, too.
"He was a great entertainer. No matter the golf that particular day, you always knew you were going to be entertained. Seve's enthusiasm was just unmatched by anybody I think that ever played the game...
"...Seve was, without argument, a terrific player -- his record speaks for itself -- but more important was his influence on the game, especially throughout Europe.
"Through the years, his involvement with the Ryder Cup, as both a player and captain, served to further elevate the stature of the matches. He was probably the most passionate Ryder Cup player that we've ever had. I think his teammates always rallied around him and that passion of his.
"He was Europe's emotional and spiritual leader, the heart and soul of their team. The Ryder Cup was something that was very, very special to Seve. And Seve was very special to us." -- Statement.
Tiger Woods:
"I was deeply saddened to learn about the passing of Seve Ballesteros.
"I always enjoyed spending time with him at the Champions dinner each year at the US Masters. Seve was one of the most talented and exciting golfers to ever play the game.
"His creativity and inventiveness on the golf course may never be surpassed. His death came much too soon." -- Twitter.
Nick Faldo:
"I am deeply saddened by the news on the passing of Seve. He had a real impact on me and on my life in this sport.
"He was a leader; bringing the spotlight to the European Tour, paving the way to European success at the Masters and bringing his relentless passion to the Ryder Cup.
"Today I would call him Cirque du Soleil. For golf, he was the greatest show on earth. I was a fan and so fortunate I had front row seat." -- Statement.
Jose Maria Olazabal:
"What impressed me most in Seve was his strength, his fighting spirit and the passion he put into everything he did.
"The best tribute we can pay to Seve is to go on playing for him, although no tribute will ever do justice to everything he did for golf and to everything he gave us." -- Told reporters at Spanish Open.
World number one Lee Westwood:
"It's a sad day, lost an inspiration, genius, role model, hero and friend. Seve made European golf what it is today. RIP Seve." -- Twitter.
European Tour Chief Executive George O'Grady:
"Seve's unique legacy must be the inspiration he has given to so many to watch, support, and play golf, and finally to fight a cruel illness with equal flair, passion, and fierce determination.
"We have all been so blessed to live in his era. He was the inspiration behind The European Tour." -- Statement.
Four-times major champion Phil Mickelson:
"He's certainly had an impact on the game, but to me the greatest thing about Seve is his flair and his charisma. Because of the way he played the game of golf, you were drawn to him. You wanted to go watch him play. He had charisma and he kind of had so many shots that it was fun to watch him play." -- Speaking at Quail Hollow Championship in North Carolina.
Davis Love III, the 2012 US Ryder Cup captain:
"He was an icon in the game and somebody that I looked up to. I copied his swing. Everybody wanted to be as exciting and fun and flashy as Seve. Maybe hit a few more fairways, but everybody wanted that style. They wanted to be aggressive and able to play like that." -- Speaking at Quail Hollow Championship.
Dave Musgrove, Seve's caddie for his first major victory at the 1979 British Open:
"Seve was a hard task-master, very hard on his caddies. He was hard on himself as well, though. He was always off to find a battle somewhere.
"If he'd hit a bad shot he never dwelt on it. His shoulders never slumped. If he could see the ball and get a swing on it he'd never worry about it. And if he went in a bunker he looked upon it as an advantage." -- Told Reuters at the Spanish Open.
Former Ryder Cup captain Bernard Gallacher:
"Every European Tour player today should thank Seve for what they're playing for. America had Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer -- Seve was our Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus rolled into one." -- European Tour website.
2010 European Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie:
"It's a great loss -- for Spain, Europe and the world of golf. We may never see such a talent again. We've lost one of the great icons of the sport.
"But may we now celebrate Seve's life? It's only right that we should. I played with him many times and it was an honour to play under him in the Ryder Cup. What a character and what a passionate man.
"There are a lot of guys out here swinging golf clubs because of Seve. This tour would not have the strength and depth that it has if it were not for him." -- Told reporters at Spanish Open.
Spanish prime minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero:
"I would like to express my deepest condolences on the death of Severiano Ballesteros, one of the finest golfers of all time and a legend in world sport.
"Severiano represented a beginning and an end in the history of Spanish sport: his example paved the way for the extraordinary success our sport is currently enjoying.
"He was the mirror which Spanish athletes who have reached the pinnacle of world sport looked into. Severiano was loved and respected for his great charisma and strength, which he showed until the very end of his life." -- Statement.
IOC President Jacques Rogge:
"Seve Ballesteros was a man of incredible skill, charisma and courage as a sportsman, and the dignified way that he fought against the disease was characteristic of the man and was an inspiration to us all.
"He was a 'once in a generation athlete' in his sport, and his influence on the game will live long after him.
"On behalf of the Olympic Movement I would like to send our condolences to his family but also our huge appreciation for the life of a remarkable man." -- Statement.
PGA of America President Allen Wronowski:
"Seve Ballesteros, the gallant warrior from Pedrena, Spain, was the ultimate competitor. We were fortunate to have had him choose golf, where he did more than win championships, but proudly became an ambassador for our sport's global appeal.
"Seve played with a rare combination of talent and heart, and his intensity endeared him to his teammates in the Ryder Cup, a competition that elevated his talent and leadership. As long as the pipes may play to call teams together for the Ryder Cup, they will play for Seve. We shall miss him dearly, and we mourn with his family and his many friends and fans throughout the world."
A selection of tributes to Spain's five-time major winner follows:
Jack Nicklaus: "Today, golf lost a great champion and a great friend. We also lost a great entertainer and ambassador for our sport.
"I have always had wonderful respect for Seve's ability, how he played the game, and the flair he brought to the sport while achieving the success he did. It was his creativity, his imagination, and his desire to compete that made him so popular not only in Europe but throughout American galleries, too.
"He was a great entertainer. No matter the golf that particular day, you always knew you were going to be entertained. Seve's enthusiasm was just unmatched by anybody I think that ever played the game...
"...Seve was, without argument, a terrific player -- his record speaks for itself -- but more important was his influence on the game, especially throughout Europe.
"Through the years, his involvement with the Ryder Cup, as both a player and captain, served to further elevate the stature of the matches. He was probably the most passionate Ryder Cup player that we've ever had. I think his teammates always rallied around him and that passion of his.
"He was Europe's emotional and spiritual leader, the heart and soul of their team. The Ryder Cup was something that was very, very special to Seve. And Seve was very special to us." -- Statement.
Tiger Woods:
"I was deeply saddened to learn about the passing of Seve Ballesteros.
"I always enjoyed spending time with him at the Champions dinner each year at the US Masters. Seve was one of the most talented and exciting golfers to ever play the game.
"His creativity and inventiveness on the golf course may never be surpassed. His death came much too soon." -- Twitter.
Nick Faldo:
"I am deeply saddened by the news on the passing of Seve. He had a real impact on me and on my life in this sport.
"He was a leader; bringing the spotlight to the European Tour, paving the way to European success at the Masters and bringing his relentless passion to the Ryder Cup.
"Today I would call him Cirque du Soleil. For golf, he was the greatest show on earth. I was a fan and so fortunate I had front row seat." -- Statement.
Jose Maria Olazabal:
"What impressed me most in Seve was his strength, his fighting spirit and the passion he put into everything he did.
"The best tribute we can pay to Seve is to go on playing for him, although no tribute will ever do justice to everything he did for golf and to everything he gave us." -- Told reporters at Spanish Open.
World number one Lee Westwood:
"It's a sad day, lost an inspiration, genius, role model, hero and friend. Seve made European golf what it is today. RIP Seve." -- Twitter.
European Tour Chief Executive George O'Grady:
"Seve's unique legacy must be the inspiration he has given to so many to watch, support, and play golf, and finally to fight a cruel illness with equal flair, passion, and fierce determination.
"We have all been so blessed to live in his era. He was the inspiration behind The European Tour." -- Statement.
Four-times major champion Phil Mickelson:
"He's certainly had an impact on the game, but to me the greatest thing about Seve is his flair and his charisma. Because of the way he played the game of golf, you were drawn to him. You wanted to go watch him play. He had charisma and he kind of had so many shots that it was fun to watch him play." -- Speaking at Quail Hollow Championship in North Carolina.
Davis Love III, the 2012 US Ryder Cup captain:
"He was an icon in the game and somebody that I looked up to. I copied his swing. Everybody wanted to be as exciting and fun and flashy as Seve. Maybe hit a few more fairways, but everybody wanted that style. They wanted to be aggressive and able to play like that." -- Speaking at Quail Hollow Championship.
Dave Musgrove, Seve's caddie for his first major victory at the 1979 British Open:
"Seve was a hard task-master, very hard on his caddies. He was hard on himself as well, though. He was always off to find a battle somewhere.
"If he'd hit a bad shot he never dwelt on it. His shoulders never slumped. If he could see the ball and get a swing on it he'd never worry about it. And if he went in a bunker he looked upon it as an advantage." -- Told Reuters at the Spanish Open.
Former Ryder Cup captain Bernard Gallacher:
"Every European Tour player today should thank Seve for what they're playing for. America had Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer -- Seve was our Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus rolled into one." -- European Tour website.
2010 European Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie:
"It's a great loss -- for Spain, Europe and the world of golf. We may never see such a talent again. We've lost one of the great icons of the sport.
"But may we now celebrate Seve's life? It's only right that we should. I played with him many times and it was an honour to play under him in the Ryder Cup. What a character and what a passionate man.
"There are a lot of guys out here swinging golf clubs because of Seve. This tour would not have the strength and depth that it has if it were not for him." -- Told reporters at Spanish Open.
Spanish prime minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero:
"I would like to express my deepest condolences on the death of Severiano Ballesteros, one of the finest golfers of all time and a legend in world sport.
"Severiano represented a beginning and an end in the history of Spanish sport: his example paved the way for the extraordinary success our sport is currently enjoying.
"He was the mirror which Spanish athletes who have reached the pinnacle of world sport looked into. Severiano was loved and respected for his great charisma and strength, which he showed until the very end of his life." -- Statement.
IOC President Jacques Rogge:
"Seve Ballesteros was a man of incredible skill, charisma and courage as a sportsman, and the dignified way that he fought against the disease was characteristic of the man and was an inspiration to us all.
"He was a 'once in a generation athlete' in his sport, and his influence on the game will live long after him.
"On behalf of the Olympic Movement I would like to send our condolences to his family but also our huge appreciation for the life of a remarkable man." -- Statement.
PGA of America President Allen Wronowski:
"Seve Ballesteros, the gallant warrior from Pedrena, Spain, was the ultimate competitor. We were fortunate to have had him choose golf, where he did more than win championships, but proudly became an ambassador for our sport's global appeal.
"Seve played with a rare combination of talent and heart, and his intensity endeared him to his teammates in the Ryder Cup, a competition that elevated his talent and leadership. As long as the pipes may play to call teams together for the Ryder Cup, they will play for Seve. We shall miss him dearly, and we mourn with his family and his many friends and fans throughout the world."
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