Friends and family bid last farewell to the Spanish golf legend Severiano Ballesteros
It was one of those mournful evenings at San Pedro de Pedrena when the time had come to a standstill. Family and friends gathered from all over the world to bid farewell to Europe’s star golfer amid tears and shearing wail of a lone bagpipe.
Seve Ballesteros' funeral was attended by no less than 1000 people, as they marched from Ballesteros family home to the church in Pedrena. Ballesteros passed away on Saturday May 7th, at the age of 54, due to severe deterioration of a lingering
brain tumour, which he had been fighting for three years.
Old compatriots and friends, who had played with the sturdy golfer for decades, came pouring in to pay their last tributes to the Spain’s legendary golfer, whose contribution to the development of the sport in Europe is incomparable.
Jose Maria Olazabal and Miguel Angel Jimenez, Bellesteros' Ryder Cup companions, were part of the procession and were also supported by Ballesteros' foreigner friends and golfers, Colin Montgomerie, Nick Faldo, Ian Woosnam, and Sam Torrance, all of whom
have led the European team in the Ryder Cup, at least once.
"He was so young and such a great man. A great champion -- the best Europe ever had," said Torrance.
The old fishing town of Pedrena was drenched in sorrow and grief as they said final prayers of their son who earned so many laurels, unprecedented in the history of the village. Family and friends cried and embraced each other on their way to the church,
where Ballesteros' final prayers were said and his ashes were later spread under an old Magnolia tree of late champion’s choice.
The urn carrying Ballesteros' ashes was carried by his eldest son Javier and was followed by around 400 relatives and friends who walked all the way to the church on an overcast day.
"We all wanted to be here to support Seve and wish him the best. We loved him, he was great," Faldo said. "It's a sad time, we lost someone very special. European golf owes Seve a great debt. He was the best frontman we could have ever dreamed of."
Ballesteros won five majors in his career including the Masters in 1980 and 1983, US Open in 1987, the Open Championship in 1979, 1984 and 1988, and the PGA Championship in 1984. It was Ballesteros relentless efforts that continental Europe was included
in the fold of the Ryder Cup.
The late Spaniard kept a low profile after his soaring back pain caused him to take a back seat. He announced his retirement at the 2007 British Open with teary eyes.
His cancer revelation came to the fore after he reportedly fainted at the Madrid International Airport while boarding a plane for Germany. He had a surgery and went through several chemotherapy sessions, but the tumour kept bouncing back.
Ballesteros' death will mark the end of a long and fulfilling life of a champion who lived like the king on the course and died like a warrior.
Tags: