Who is the Most Beloved Figure in Golf?

[Jeff_Brauer]

How about:

Whoever brings back the stymie?

[Marty Bonnar]

I was thinking maybe the Redanman.
Genial host, damn fine blogger, whisky connasewer, Ecossophile...what's not to love?

FBD.

[Ronald Montesano]

Seve is the most pitied, but has never been the most beloved; just ask Paul Azinger.
Payne Stewart was the most pitied but again, his earlier behaviors took away from who he later became.

Arnie stands alone on the USA side, in terms of most beloved professional male golfer.
Nancy Lopez, I believe, would be most beloved USA female professional golfer.

It all depends on your audience...most followers of the PGA Tour have no clue who is beloved on the LPGA tour, nor in amateur circles, etc.

Ron Balicki from Golf Week is well-liked among college kids, for his beat reporting.

Beloved is a term that cannot be applied loosely; it is akin to recognizing something or someone with a superlative.

[Tim Martin]

Martha Burk?

[Mark Pearce]

Seve is the most pitied, but has never been the most beloved; just ask Paul Azinger.

I can assure you that the vast majority of European golf fans couldn't give a monkey's backside what Azinger thinks of Seve.  Presumably, you missed the bit where we said Seve was the most loved in Europe?  You know what Europe is, don't you?

[Eric Smith]

You know what Europe is, don't you?

Mark,

Tricks knows that their biggest hit "The Final Countdown" reached No. 1 in 25 countries, including the United Kingdom, though it peaked at #8 in the US.

[Kalen Braley]

Hell Yea I know who Europe is too!

This Rocks!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_IKcMl_a9A

[Eric Smith]

Just locked the doors at the office and cranking that all the way up - thanks KB!

[Ronald Montesano]

The most beloved figure in golf is the personal message.

I'm not 100% convinced that Seve was so beloved, even in Europe, before his illness.

[Ronald Montesano]

And for your information, I was way more a fan of Asia (Heat of the Moment, beeches!) than of Europe.  I'm waiting for Antarctica's latest disc to drop, though.

[Mike Hendren]

I was thinking maybe the Redanman.
Genial host, damn fine blogger, whisky connasewer, Ecossophile...what's not to love?

FBD.

While I am very fond of  Bill, he is a Florida graduate.


Bogey

[Tim Martin]

Just locked the doors at the office and cranking that all the way up - thanks KB!

Eric-Its the kind of tune that needs to be played loud. Now that was a hair band.

[Mark Pearce]

Asia?  A poor man's Yes!

Brian,

I'm going to guess you're a bit younger than me.  Seve was, and is, no pitiful figure for me.  For me, he's the matador that took on the world and won.  He's the hero, the car park champion.  The man who even when his long game had deserted him inspired a Ryder Cup win in his singles by keeping a match going when he couldn't hit a green.  Forget anything post mid 90s, remember the great years when he was loved because he was (despite what Faldo might think) European golf.

[Ronald Montesano]

I'll agree with the comparison of rock groups...

Seve was the matador...he was awesome at Augusta and in the Ryders.

I said this as I did because beloved is not the same as respected, feared, "i'll follow him into battle."  Beloved to me is near the end of the story, knew how to transition into the hearts of the people. Arnie had this for his failings in the heat of battle, his stupid decisions, etc. Phil would be the heir apparent on this side of the pond.

[Ross Tuddenham]

I am too young to have watched Seve when he was in his prime but the way he was described to me be people of my dad's generation was in no way based on pity.  He was and still is seen as a great champion and a man of great charisma.  I get the feeling they particularly liked his ability to rile Americans.

[Kalen Braley]

I'm still not seeing how Seve meets the definition here.  Remember we are talking about "Most Beloved"....

Not "The baddest BadAzz"
Not "The guy you want to see take down those prick yanks"
Not "The best Swashbuckler"
Not "Most Respected based out of Fear"

Perhaps I've only been exposed to articles that were authored by guys on this side of the pond...

...but its seems like he was very surlish and loved to get people riled up and push thier buttons.  No doubt there is a time and place for that, and certainly he sounds like the kind of guy you absolutely want on your side when you go to war.  But it seems like its more in a Dennis Rodman kind of a way, as opposed to a Magic Johnson kind of a way.

So he may be all that, and a bag of chips...but I'm just not seeing the "Most Beloved" title fit here.

[Ronald Montesano]

Or, maybe them Euros define beloved differently than the colonists

[Jamey Bryan]

I'm a little surprised no one else has mentioned him, but I think (at least, for my age set) Payne Stewart is in the running.  He made golf exciting, and his story (from Pinehurst to his death) is strong.  Payne, then Ran is my vote.

Jamey

[Ronald Montesano]

Jamey/Sylvester...see my pm

[Sam Morrow]

I thought this thread was about McBride.

[David Kelly]

I'm a little surprised no one else has mentioned him, but I think (at least, for my age set) Payne Stewart is in the running.  He made golf exciting, and his story (from Pinehurst to his death) is strong.  Payne, then Ran is my vote.
Jamey

He always seemed like a jackass to me. Payne, that is.

[Mike_Trenham]

Fred Couples.

[Peter_Collins]

What do they say about Fred Couples . . .  all the women want to *$%& him, all the men want to be him.  I'm not sure if that qualifies as beloved or not, but he's got that going for him.   

But if my 75 year old mother in law, and all the old hens at her assisted living community are a good bell-weather, I'd say Hefty Lefty is the most beloved current player.   One of the ladies sent him a letter about the time was Amy was diagnosed with cancer and Phil sent her a hand written thank you note and a autographed 8x10 glossy.  These items are now the foundation a small shrine to him in the common area of the community. 

[Jim_Kennedy]

Arnold Palmer, hands down.

[Dónal Ó Ceallaigh]

Asia?  A poor man's Yes!

Brian,

I'm going to guess you're a bit younger than me.  Seve was, and is, no pitiful figure for me.  For me, he's the matador that took on the world and won.  He's the hero, the car park champion.  The man who even when his long game had deserted him inspired a Ryder Cup win in his singles by keeping a match going when he couldn't hit a green.  Forget anything post mid 90s, remember the great years when he was loved because he was (despite what Faldo might think) European golf.

+1

I don't pity Seve, but admire him for what his did on the golf course. I've written before in this DG about what he meant to youngsters playing golf in the late 70s and 80s in Europe. Everybody wanted to be Seve, not Watson, not Nicklaus, and not Faldo.

I first saw him at the 1983 Carroll's Irish Open at Royal Dublin. He was tall, tanned, charismatic and also mysterious. Seve was European golf. European golf was in the doldrums and there hadn't been a European winner of a major since Jacklin. Then Seve burst onto the scene in 76 and then won the Open in 79. He was a ground breaker too, winning the Masters in 80. Would Faldo, Lyle, Woosnam, Langer and Olazabal have made the break through if it wasn't for Seve?

Who will ever forget his celebration on sinking that putt on the 18th in the 82 Open?

His current situation is unfortunate and it is sad that he is lonely and alone. Considering his talent and genius, who wouldn't look a forlorn figure in the same circumstances?

I still treasure the autograph his signed for me in 1983. I can still remember him saying in his broken English as the crowds surrounded him: "A leetle room, please, a leetle room, please"