Golf Club Atlas
GolfClubAtlas.com => Golf Course Architecture Discussion Group => Topic started by: David_Tepper on December 12, 2024, 03:45:54 PM
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......at the Masters.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2RIIwxaae4Y
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Seve was the best!!!!
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Saw Seve at Oak Hill. He was hitting it off the planet and getting up and down from garbage cans. Truly amazing.
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I only saw him once, in 1987 at Olympic Club where he finished T3 with Crenshaw and Langer.
Surprising result given how tight that US Open layout was.
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One of the reasons I posted that link is there are likely some young guys here who never saw Seve in his prime or even saw him at all. They sure missed something.
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He’s the only golfer I’ve ever spent money to watch in person. He’s the Miles Davis of golf: every round was a master class in improvisation. Nick Price said something to the effect that “Out here on Tour, we can all shoot 63. And we can do it about a dozen different ways. Seve can do it a hundred different ways.”
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I followed him around at a practice round at the Players in 1995. Watching him practice his short game shots was amazing. He was also having fun interacting with the crowd.
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I first saw Seve at the Carroll's Irish Open at Royal Dublin. I think it may have been on this occasion in 1985 (but possibly even 1983 or 1984):
https://www.rte.ie/archives/collections/news/21197875-ballesteros-wins-irish-open/ (https://www.rte.ie/archives/collections/news/21197875-ballesteros-wins-irish-open/)
I recall getting his autograph at the practice green before he started his round. I just remember he was like a God; handsome, tall and so colourful in yellow slacks. The pen (biro) I have him was playing up and I think he made a couple of attempts to sign his autograph on a tiny little note book I had. It was so sad when he passed away.
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I first saw Seve at the Carroll's Irish Open at Royal Dublin. I think it may have been on this occasion in 1985 (but possibly even 1983 or 1984):
https://www.rte.ie/archives/collections/news/21197875-ballesteros-wins-irish-open/ (https://www.rte.ie/archives/collections/news/21197875-ballesteros-wins-irish-open/)
I recall getting his autograph at the practice green before he started his round. I just remember he was like a God; handsome, tall and so colourful in yellow slacks. The pen (biro) I have him was playing up and I think he made a couple of attempts to sign his autograph on a tiny little note book I had. It was so sad when he passed away.
Donal,
I can't believe you weren't out watching me!
Seriously, I watched him play all four days of the 1978 Australian PGA at Royal Melbourne. Back when no one drove at the 10th green he took driver every day and smashed it all the way across the bunker and most of the really bad trouble. From there he blew it out of the sandy, heathland to a few feet and made 3 birdies and a par.
Alister MacKenzie would have loved the audacity and skill it took to hit those drives (one one of the best holes he ever built) and anyone who thought Seve a bad driver clearly didn't see those shots.
I played with him a bit and when people ask me the highlight of my 15 seasons on the European Tour I always say "playing with Seve."
He was the best player ever to watch play the game.
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One of the reasons I posted that link is there are likely some young guys here who never saw Seve in his prime or even saw him at all. They sure missed something.
Well done for appreciating this David and thus your post.
The number of times I’ve mentioned the names of elite players from yesteryear and seen blank expressions of non-recognition on the faces of modern era golfers continues to disappoint me. Rather sad.
Atb
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Stories from Seve's caddies (and others) here:
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=seve+ballesteros+caddie+stories
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I love the short game and practice it more than I do the long game. It is fun and Seve was as good as anyone.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0PmBJChnsAM
Number five needed imagination and nerves of steel.
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One of the reasons I posted that link is there are likely some young guys here who never saw Seve in his prime or even saw him at all. They sure missed something.
Well done for appreciating this David and thus your post.
The number of times I’ve mentioned the names of elite players from yesteryear and seen blank expressions of non-recognition on the faces of modern era golfers continues to disappoint me. Rather sad.
Atb
It is sad. Although not limited to golf. There is a recency bias in sports coverage that drives the phenomenon. No network wants their announcers to discount the greatness of current players even if only by implicit comparison. It also is driven by stats obsession. Seve’s brilliance can never be captured by stats.
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Question: was it Seve who first used the low hands, wide low stance sand game? Was it his influence that we see in current sand play? I have that impression, but not sure it is correct. Did he ever use a 60? I remember he used the STX putter at some point. Not to thread Jack, but I think you guys are a good source.
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Question: was it Seve who first used the low hands, wide low stance sand game? Was it his influence that we see in current sand play? I have that impression, but not sure it is correct. Did he ever use a 60? I remember he used the STX putter at some point. Not to thread Jack, but I think you guys are a good source.
If Seve had used a 60 degree wedge he would have made it go back over his shoulder!
I didn’t get to see him as often as Clayts, but luckily for me, Ben Crenshaw loved to play practice rounds with Seve, and I got to walk inside the ropes with them at Butler National and the TPC at Sawgrass. Included in that was a demonstration of his grip pressure (“like holding a baby bird”) and instruction on how to hit 2-iron out of a greenside bunker.
The shot he hit between the bunkers on the last hole at Birkdale (to secure a tie for second place, at age 19) is a testament to his genius. Nobody else would ever have seen it, much less tried.
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The shot over the wall in Switzerland was beyond belief. (European Masters 1993)
Billy Foster come into the player's lounge and said "Ive just seen the greatest shot ever hit"
I went back the next year and saw the plaque marking the spot.
It was crazy how close to the wall it was - and I asked Billy if that was where the ball really was.
The amazing thing was despite Billy imploring him to chip out Seve insisted it was possible and took what Billy assumed was a sand iron from the bag. He walked out on to the fairway to watch, looked in the bag and the sand wedge was still there.
"My God - he's got a wedge."
It's maddening the TV didn't film the shot (or the bunker shot at the 1983 Ryder Cup)- but he chipped in from the edge of the green for a birdie - only to lose to Barry Lane by a shot.
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Question: was it Seve who first used the low hands, wide low stance sand game? Was it his influence that we see in current sand play? I have that impression, but not sure it is correct. Did he ever use a 60? I remember he used the STX putter at some point. Not to thread Jack, but I think you guys are a good source.
The wide stance and low hands approach to bunker play goes back way beyond Seve. Yee olde photos show elite players from decades before adopting such a technique. Each to their own if it works successfully.
Atb
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My favorite Seve story only tangentially involves Seve. He was playing a match against Azinger (Ryder Cup maybe?). Azinger was standing over a ball in a very bad lie, shaking his head. Seve came by and Azinger asked for relief, which Seve denied. “Fine,” said Azinger, “It’s your ball.”
I hope it’s true. 🤷♂️
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The shot over the wall in Switzerland was beyond belief. (European Masters 1993)
Billy Foster come into the player's lounge and said "Ive just seen the greatest shot ever hit"
I went back the next year and saw the plaque marking the spot.
It was crazy how close to the wall it was - and I asked Billy if that was where the ball really was.
The amazing thing was despite Billy imploring him to chip out Seve insisted it was possible and took what Billy assumed was a sand iron from the bag. He walked out on to the fairway to watch, looked in the bag and the sand wedge was still there.
"My God - he's got a wedge."
It's maddening the TV didn't film the shot (or the bunker shot at the 1983 Ryder Cup)- but he chipped in from the edge of the green for a birdie - only to lose to Barry Lane by a shot.
Amazing stuff. Just watched the recap clip of the event and the photo
I suppose? he used the PW due to the lack of bounce allowing him to open the face and create more loft than his SW?
Or maybe he wanted a little slice to boot:)
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Sadly he went down the rabbit hole of jumping from teacher to teacher and never got back his full swing artistry
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Sadly he went down the rabbit hole of jumping from teacher to teacher and never got back his full swing artistry
Wonder if that wasn’t from the early stages of the brain tumor.
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My favorite Seve story only tangentially involves Seve. He was playing a match against Azinger (Ryder Cup maybe?). Azinger was standing over a ball in a very bad lie, shaking his head. Seve came by and Azinger asked for relief, which Seve denied. “Fine,” said Azinger, “It’s your ball.”
I hope it’s true. 🤷♂️
It was an exhibition match with Tony Johnstone - all done in good humour.
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The shot over the wall in Switzerland was beyond belief. (European Masters 1993)
Billy Foster come into the player's lounge and said "Ive just seen the greatest shot ever hit"
I went back the next year and saw the plaque marking the spot.
It was crazy how close to the wall it was - and I asked Billy if that was where the ball really was.
The amazing thing was despite Billy imploring him to chip out Seve insisted it was possible and took what Billy assumed was a sand iron from the bag. He walked out on to the fairway to watch, looked in the bag and the sand wedge was still there.
"My God - he's got a wedge."
It's maddening the TV didn't film the shot (or the bunker shot at the 1983 Ryder Cup)- but he chipped in from the edge of the green for a birdie - only to lose to Barry Lane by a shot.
Amazing stuff. Just watched the recap clip of the event and the photo
I suppose? he used the PW due to the lack of bounce allowing him to open the face and create more loft than his SW?
Or maybe he wanted a little slice to boot:)
I assume he used a wedge because he was 110 yards away - at least - and thought he needed it to reach the green.
Either way - no one else even thinks of hitting the shot, let alone pulling it off.
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In view of Mikes comments above time to post this …. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=OrP5R3gFAgo (https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=OrP5R3gFAgo)
Enjoy.
Atb
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Thomas: Great link! The best part is his Seve impression. Perfect.
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In view of Mikes comments above time to post this …. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=OrP5R3gFAgo (https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=OrP5R3gFAgo)
Enjoy.
Atb
You see that photo of the shot and the wall - truly beyond belief.
"Talent hits a target no one else can hit.
Genius hits a target no one else can see."
Arthur Schopenhauer.
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The shot over the wall in Switzerland was beyond belief. (European Masters 1993)
Billy Foster come into the player's lounge and said "Ive just seen the greatest shot ever hit"
I went back the next year and saw the plaque marking the spot.
It was crazy how close to the wall it was - and I asked Billy if that was where the ball really was.
The amazing thing was despite Billy imploring him to chip out Seve insisted it was possible and took what Billy assumed was a sand iron from the bag. He walked out on to the fairway to watch, looked in the bag and the sand wedge was still there.
"My God - he's got a wedge."
It's maddening the TV didn't film the shot (or the bunker shot at the 1983 Ryder Cup)- but he chipped in from the edge of the green for a birdie - only to lose to Barry Lane by a shot.
Amazing stuff. Just watched the recap clip of the event and the photo
I suppose? he used the PW due to the lack of bounce allowing him to open the face and create more loft than his SW?
Or maybe he wanted a little slice to boot:)
I assume he used a wedge because he was 110 yards away - at least - and thought he needed it to reach the green.
Either way - no one else even thinks of hitting the shot, let alone pulling it off.
Whoa. I didn't realize the shot was that long-wow.
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Thanks for posting that. Truly amazing.
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When we are talking about golfers who changed the sport since 1900, it is a short list: Jones, Hagen, Palmer, Seve, and Tiger. I am not talking about the best players, but rather transformational players.
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When we are talking about golfers who changed the sport since 1900, it is a short list: Jones, Hagen, Palmer, Seve, and Tiger. I am not talking about the best players, but rather transformational players.
Add in "The Triumvirate" and that's a pretty good list.
Of the Triumvirate, James Braid was (especially in the way he played) the most charismatic with an astonishing recovery game.
I recently described him as "The Scottish Seve" (TM) ;-)
In terms of worldwide reach of course its Harry Vardon (but that's only because he travelled overseas, and Braid due to his sea-sickness didn't join him on his US Tours, despite multiple invites) but was famous by dint of his incredible consistency, rather than style.
JHT was perceived as more of a workmanlike inexorable grinder.
But collectively, and in terms of column inches, unrivalled at a key point of growth in our game
(Pre-1900 Allan Robertson, Young Tommy, and John Ball Jnr. would of course enter the conversation)
Those who want to learn more should start by asking for Stephen Proctor's excellent book "Long Golden Afternoon" in their Holiday stocking.
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When we are talking about golfers who changed the sport since 1900, it is a short list: Jones, Hagen, Palmer, Seve, and Tiger. I am not talking about the best players, but rather transformational players.
Ira
Care to elaborate why you think each of the above changed the sport ?
Niall
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Ryder Cup was just about dead until Seve came along.
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When we are talking about golfers who changed the sport since 1900, it is a short list: Jones, Hagen, Palmer, Seve, and Tiger. I am not talking about the best players, but rather transformational players.
Ira
Care to elaborate why you think each of the above changed the sport ?
Niall
And perhaps the biggest question in my mind... the omission of Jack.
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Kalen, it is not a list of the best players but ones who had the biggest impact on the sport beyond their playing accomplishments.
Niall,
Jones—reached audiences way beyond traditional golf audiences to make the game known and popular plus throw in starting the Masters.
Hagen—gave dignity and status to golf professionals.
Palmer—made golf a TV sport and brought it out at least for a time from its elitist cultural standing.
Seve—what Rob said plus prompted Europe to get into the game in a truly serious way.
Tiger—pretty self evident.
Good cases could be made for the Big 3 as Simon points out as well as Ouimet, Babe Zaharias, Peter Thomson, Player, Lee Elder, and Annika.
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One of my all-time favorite clips is Seve on the 5th at TOC in The Open hitting a long-ish iron with the ball above his feet and on a downhill lie. Trevino saying, "Touch of class, baby. Touch of class. Get up! Buena, Seve." lives in my head forever.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P3hKyCg_uD8
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One of my all-time favorite clips is Seve on the 5th at TOC in The Open hitting a long-ish iron with the ball above his feet and on a downhill lie. Trevino saying, "Touch of class, baby. Touch of class. Get up! Buena, Seve." lives in my head forever.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P3hKyCg_uD8 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P3hKyCg_uD8)
I too love that clip. Trevino recognized genius when he saw it and gave a great shot the praise it deserved. For me, Trevino and Seve were the most charismatic golfers we’ve seen in the last 50 years. They seemed to come from similar humble backgrounds and learned to become great shotmakers in similar ways — Trevino learned by beating balls on a driving range in Texas and Seve learned with a 3 iron on the beach.
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I too love that clip. Trevino recognized genius when he saw it and gave a great shot the praise it deserved. For me, Trevino and Seve were the most charismatic golfers we’ve seen in the last 50 years. They seemed to come from similar humble backgrounds and learned to become great shotmakers in similar ways — Trevino learned by beating balls on a driving range in Texas and Seve learned with a 3 iron on the beach.
Back in time BBC UK used to have a show called Pro-Celebrity golf hosted by Peter Alliss.
Various pros and celebs took part including for some episodes Seve and Lee.
Here is one of the episodes they featured in -
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Qa3_4ywEj-Q&pp=ygUlQmFsbGV0ZXJvcyB0cmV2aW5vIHBybyBjZWxlYnJpdHkgZ29sZg%3D%3D (https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Qa3_4ywEj-Q&pp=ygUlQmFsbGV0ZXJvcyB0cmV2aW5vIHBybyBjZWxlYnJpdHkgZ29sZg%3D%3D)
Enjoy
Atb
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Another sight of Seve which I’ll never forget is at the US Open at Oakland Hills (mid 80’s) on the 1st tee where he was taking left handed warmup swings. They were the prettiest and most fluid swings I saw all week from any player. Seriously.
And while we’re posting links and speaking of both Seve and Trevino on a golf architecture site, here’s a video of a one club challenge featuring the aforementioned, played at aThe Old Course.
You can’t teach genius…..
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Nlh5E9SVxiE&pp=ygUcb25lIGNsdWIgY2hhbGxlbmdlIGdvbGYgc2V2ZQ%3D%3D (https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Nlh5E9SVxiE&pp=ygUcb25lIGNsdWIgY2hhbGxlbmdlIGdvbGYgc2V2ZQ%3D%3D)
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Kalen, it is not a list of the best players but ones who had the biggest impact on the sport beyond their playing accomplishments.
Niall,
Jones—reached audiences way beyond traditional golf audiences to make the game known and popular plus throw in starting the Masters.
Hagen—gave dignity and status to golf professionals.
Palmer—made golf a TV sport and brought it out at least for a time from its elitist cultural standing.
Seve—what Rob said plus prompted Europe to get into the game in a truly serious way.
Tiger—pretty self evident.
Good cases could be made for the Big 3 as Simon points out as well as Ouimet, Babe Zaharias, Peter Thomson, Player, Lee Elder, and Annika.
Ira
The game has grown since the 1850's so using your logic you could probably start with Allan Robertson and then list every pre-eminent player along the way up until today. However I tend to think that accomplishing remarkable things/results doesn't necessarily equate to changing the game.
Niall
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I think more in terms of agronomy and equipment developments and maintenance practices changing the game far more than players. I can only speak for myself so far as players changing the game. Without question Jack stands alone for me because he was the dominant player when I was learning the game.
Sadly, I never saw Seve swing a club in person.
Ciao
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My favorite Seve story only tangentially involves Seve. He was playing a match against Azinger (Ryder Cup maybe?). Azinger was standing over a ball in a very bad lie, shaking his head. Seve came by and Azinger asked for relief, which Seve denied. “Fine,” said Azinger, “It’s your ball.”
I hope it’s true. 🤷♂️
It was an exhibition match with Tony Johnstone - all done in good humour.
Another Tony Johnstone story (I think) and as I remember it;
TJ was practising bunker shots on the practice area when Seve went by. After a bit of chat they decide to have a little competition to see who could get the ball closest on a best of 3 basis. After they had both played one shot each, Seve was the closest so he was one up. With the second shots, TJ was closest so the “match” was all square.
As it was TJ’s honour he played his 3rd shot first and proceeded to hole it. Delighted with the shot he danced about the bunker, punching the air and generally hooping and hollering. Seve glared at him, and when TJ had calmed down a bit, he asked him to be quiet so he could play his shot.
Seve then proceeded to hole his shot and when the ball went in he calmly turned to TJ and said “now you can celebrate your half”.
Niall
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I was recently rewatching the extended highlights of the 1984 Open. Was that tournament the apex of the combination of great players (Seve and Watson at the top of their games), course and playing conditions (TOC, a beautiful brown, playing firm and fast but without the need to have the tees outrageously moved as far back as possible to combat equipment), and equipment (persimmon woods, blades, balata balls, plus actual golf shoes with real metal spikes). It was everything I wish golf still could be at the highest level.
Speaking of the 1984 Open, what the hell was Tom Watson thinking hitting a 2 iron into the Road Hole? How was that ever going to be anything but over the green and up against the wall? Regardless, it was wonderful seeing long irons come into play on par 4s (and not just off the tee).
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Ira -
I like your list of "impactful" players. I think I would add Ben Hogan and Jack Nicklaus. Hogan for the mystique/legend that evolved around his career, persona, work ethic, etc. and Nicklaus for his major wins and especially winning the Masters in 1986 at 46 years old. That was one of the huge moments in golf over the past 50 years.
It is interesting that Sam Snead seems to have become forgotten over the past 20-30 years, especially given how many tournament he won and how long he played. He certainly was very prominent in the game during his lifetime, but now you rarely hear him mentioned. You don't see videos on youtube studying his swing or articles about him in golf magazines.
DT
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My favourite Seve shot is probably one that wouldn't rate in his top 100...
https://youtu.be/83PInODS0xM?feature=shared&t=3283 (https://youtu.be/83PInODS0xM?feature=shared&t=3283)
It's the final day of the 1995 Ryder Cup at Oak Hill and Seve is out first against Tom Lehman. Seve's drives so far have went left into an unplayable lie, right into trees, left into a tree (only travelling 70 yards) and now, on the 5th, he's hit it right into the trees again. Ken Brown and Larry Mize are following the match and discussing whether he should pitch it out to the left or to the right. But they grow increasingly bemused that he keeps looking up at the big trees in front of him. The camera angle (from above) when he hits the shot is also brilliant, as is the joy of the commentators.
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I was recently rewatching the extended highlights of the 1984 Open. Was that tournament the apex of the combination of great players (Seve and Watson at the top of their games), course and playing conditions (TOC, a beautiful brown, playing firm and fast but without the need to have the tees outrageously moved as far back as possible to combat equipment), and equipment (persimmon woods, blades, balata balls, plus actual golf shoes with real metal spikes). It was everything I wish golf still could be at the highest level.
100%
And not just for and at the highest level either.
Atb
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Seve was before my time, I only recall watching him a few times. While I can appreciate his swash-buckling schtick, sounds like he really needed to spend more time on the range with woods in hand. ;) Or perhaps have developed a tiger like 2 iron stinger?
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Seve was before my time, I only recall watching him a few times. While I can appreciate his swash-buckling schtick, sounds like he really needed to spend more time on the range with woods in hand. ;) Or perhaps have developed a tiger like 2 iron stinger?
Not really. See my post above about his finish at the 1987 US Open at Olympic Club....about as hard of a place to play if you missed a fairway. His swagger was part of his playing DNA. He lost a bit of it when he went down the golf swing rabbit hole with Mac O'Grady and other gurus.
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His swagger was part of his playing DNA.
Never associated "swagger" with Seve but it's very apt.
I doubt he ever faced a bad lie or obstacle he did not ENJOY trying to pull off.
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His swagger was part of his playing DNA.
Never associated "swagger" with Seve but it's very apt.
I doubt he ever faced a bad lie or obstacle he did not ENJOY trying to pull off.
Seve also ENJOYED embroiling himself in rules confrontations with referees and playing partners in an effort to seek an advantage which is part of the “gamesmanship” he is noted for.
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His swagger was part of his playing DNA.
Never associated "swagger" with Seve but it's very apt.
I doubt he ever faced a bad lie or obstacle he did not ENJOY trying to pull off.
Seve also ENJOYED embroiling himself in rules confrontations with referees and playing partners in an effort to seek an advantage which is part of the “gamesmanship” he is noted for.
I once played an event where Jerry Stahl was the speaker. Jerry is an Oak Hill member who was a USGA rules official. I'm sure JohnVDB knows him. Anyway he talked about the big three. (Jack, Arnie, and Gary) Told interesting stories about all three in major championships. Jacks story was how he tried to intimidate him into getting good ruling. They ALL did it. After Jerry denied Jack relief, Jack looked at him and winked. Jack knew he was stretching the rules and acknowledged it.
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Seve was before my time, I only recall watching him a few times. While I can appreciate his swash-buckling schtick, sounds like he really needed to spend more time on the range with woods in hand. ;) Or perhaps have developed a tiger like 2 iron stinger?
I hear ya, Kalen. I remember watching both Miles Davis and Stevie Ray Vaughan play in person and while I can appreciate their improvisational schticks, if they would have listened to me and hired the right producers (after all, I was in my 5th, 6th and 7th grade school bands playing drums), they could have had a lot more top 10 hits like Britney Spears, the Spice Girls and the Jonas Brothers did….. ;)
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Seve was before my time, I only recall watching him a few times. While I can appreciate his swash-buckling schtick, sounds like he really needed to spend more time on the range with woods in hand. ;) Or perhaps have developed a tiger like 2 iron stinger?
I hear ya, Kalen. I remember watching both Miles Davis and Stevie Ray Vaughan play in person and while I can appreciate their improvisational schticks, if they would have listened to me and hired the right producers (after all, I was in my 5th, 6th and 7th grade school bands playing drums), they could have had a lot more top 10 hits like Britney Spears, the Spice Girls and the Jonas Brothers did….. ;)
Ha ha, well played David.
But if Seve wasn't hitting the ball all over the yard into every nook, cranny, and otherwise dark spaces of the course, then it follows he wouldn't need all them crazy recovery shots! ;)
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People go on about Seve's driving and he could be crooked at times - and I'm disregarding the period at the end of his career (1995v onwards) when he lost his game.
But he was a much better driver than people gave him credit for - and he hit the best/coolest drives.
Long. Different flights and different shapes depending on the questions the holes and the courses were asking.
Shots very few others were hitting.
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Looking back at the old footage of Seve, and indeed Watson (I've been reliving a lot of memories of the 1984 Open), what stands out for me is the rhythm of the swing, the crispness of the contact and the sound of it. In comparison modern pro's just seem to clobber the ball. That's just my perception and I dare say the real experts will tell me why I'm wrong in that.
My other perception of the 1984 Open final round was that Langer, who was playing with Seve, was playing better golf than either Seve or Watson, but that he basically two putted every green. Not saying that's an absolute fact but my perception was that he hit the fairways, then the greens and lagged the long putts stone dead and some how contrived to miss the makeable ones.
Niall
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Seve Ryder Cup highlights:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ql8VusszDgY
There are a lot of them!
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In his youth, Seve would take a 3 iron to the beach and try all manner of shots. He was an artist and the golf course was his canvas.
I only got close to him once. He was playing at the Westchester Classic outside NYC and hit his drive into the rough, where I was standing alongside a very attractive woman. He noticed her and had to collect himself before pulling off another great shot. As he moved on he looked back at her, as any man might have. I believe he wasn’t readily accepted by his wife’s family at first: they were Spanish banking royalty and the patriarch thought his daughter could do better than a professional golfer. But as we know, he was so much more and inspired generations of great Spanish players and revived the Ryder Cup.