Golfing great Seve Ballesteros has died

IT was sad to hear of the death of Seve Ballesteros who had been battling brain cancer for a number of years.

His life was cut short at the age of only 54, however he had achieved so much in the world of golf.

He won the Open Championship in 1979 at Royal Lytham & St Annes Golf Club, at St Andrews in 1984 and again at Lytham in 1988.

Seve also clinched the US Masters in 1980 and 1983.

Many other European golfers were inspired by Seve after his triumphs in the majors.

His success was the beginning of a halcyon period for European golf with Bernhard Langer, Nick Faldo, Sandy Lyle and Ian Woosnam all taking major after Seve’s first Open triumph in 1979.

The Spaniard also played a big part in the achievements of the European Ryder Cup team.

Great Britain and Ireland (GB and I) had not won the cup since 1957. In 1979 it was decided to let players from Europe play against America. Seve played a part in the first European teams that began to turn the table against the Americans.

Europe were to win the Ryder Cup in 1985 and again in 1987 in America – the first time America had lost the cup on their own soil.

Seve was a successful Ryder Cup captain too and led Europe to a win against America at Valderrama in Spain in 1997.

He will be remembered for his flair and spirit. His driving was often wayward, but when he was at the top of the sport, his short game was the best in the business.

When he won his first Open, he was called the car park champion because he drove into a car park at the 16th, however Seve still managed to win.

Meanwhile it will be good to see The Apprentice return to our screens this week. The last series only finished at the end of last year and there are due to be some changes this time around.