Severiano Ballesteros was one of the greatest golfers the game has seen. He won over 90 titles, including five major championships, in his trademark charismatic style, making him a hit with fans the world over. A new film entitled "Seve" documents his career.
Spain's ultimate matador —
Severiano Ballesteros was one of the greatest golfers the game has seen. He won over 90 titles, including five major championships, in his trademark charismatic style, making him a hit with fans the world over. A new film entitled "Seve" documents his career.
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There was seemingly no situation that Ballesteros couldn't extricate himself from, whether his ball be lodged in a hedge, behind a tree or in a stream. His infamous escape from a car park at Lytham saw him birdie one of his final holes on his way to a maiden major at the British Open in 1979.
The escape artist —
There was seemingly no situation that Ballesteros couldn't extricate himself from, whether his ball be lodged in a hedge, behind a tree or in a stream. His infamous escape from a car park at Lytham saw him birdie one of his final holes on his way to a maiden major at the British Open in 1979.
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Using dramatized recreations, "Seve" shows how Ballesteros learned the game by hitting pebbles with a makeshift golf club on the beach in his hometown of Padrena. The young Seve is played by José Luis Gutiérrez.
Practice in Padrena —
Using dramatized recreations, "Seve" shows how Ballesteros learned the game by hitting pebbles with a makeshift golf club on the beach in his hometown of Padrena. The young Seve is played by José Luis Gutiérrez.
Courtesy of Entertainment Film Distributors
Gutiérrez is also from Cantabria in northern Spain, and had never acted in anything other than the school play before he got the role as Seve. "I thought it was going to be difficult in the way he was such a unique player," he said of playing Seve. "But also, it was easy in the way that he has always been my idol, the master that I always tried to be like."
Local hero —
Gutiérrez is also from Cantabria in northern Spain, and had never acted in anything other than the school play before he got the role as Seve. "I thought it was going to be difficult in the way he was such a unique player," he said of playing Seve. "But also, it was easy in the way that he has always been my idol, the master that I always tried to be like."
Courtesy of Entertainment Film Distributors
Ballesteros' flamboyance endeared him to crowds all over the globe. He was often wild off the tee but had remarkable powers of recovery, attempting shots that other golfers wouldn't even contemplate, let alone pull off.
Style and character —
Ballesteros' flamboyance endeared him to crowds all over the globe. He was often wild off the tee but had remarkable powers of recovery, attempting shots that other golfers wouldn't even contemplate, let alone pull off.
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Ballesteros became the first European to win the Masters in 1980, going on to secure another green jacket in 1983. Compatriot and close friend Jose Maria Olazabal also claimed two wins at Augusta, in 1994 and 1999.
Augusta Masters —
Ballesteros became the first European to win the Masters in 1980, going on to secure another green jacket in 1983. Compatriot and close friend Jose Maria Olazabal also claimed two wins at Augusta, in 1994 and 1999.
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Ballesteros and Olazabal also excelled as a partnership in the Ryder Cup, which Seve is credited with reinvigorating from his first appearance in 1979 when the competition saw Europe take on the United States. It had previously been Great Britain and Ireland against the U.S..
Ryder Cup stars —
Ballesteros and Olazabal also excelled as a partnership in the Ryder Cup, which Seve is credited with reinvigorating from his first appearance in 1979 when the competition saw Europe take on the United States. It had previously been Great Britain and Ireland against the U.S..
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Ballesteros represented Europe eight times as a player and once as captain, when the contest was held at the Spanish resort of Valderrama. He led his side to a nail biting one point win in front of a rapturous crowd.
Spanish warrior —
Ballesteros represented Europe eight times as a player and once as captain, when the contest was held at the Spanish resort of Valderrama. He led his side to a nail biting one point win in front of a rapturous crowd.
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Ballesteros retained his links with Padrena his whole life and was laid to rest in the town. He often returned to the beach he learnt his craft on, this time with slightly better equipment.
No place like home —
Ballesteros retained his links with Padrena his whole life and was laid to rest in the town. He often returned to the beach he learnt his craft on, this time with slightly better equipment.
David Cannon/Getty Images/file
Ballesteros' popularity endures and at the 2012 Ryder Cup, his friend and European captain Jose Maria Olazabal -- as well as golf fans -- made sure he was remembered.
Gone but not forgotten —
Ballesteros' popularity endures and at the 2012 Ryder Cup, his friend and European captain Jose Maria Olazabal -- as well as golf fans -- made sure he was remembered.
David Cannon/Getty Images/file