Golf stars join family, friends and fans for final farewell to Seve

FAMILY, friends and admirers of golfing legend Seve Ballesteros gathered in the Spanish village of Pedreña to bid farewell to the one of the sport’s favourite stars.

The golfer, who lost his three-year battle with cancer early on Sunday morning at the age of 54, had his ashes scattered at his home estate.

Earlier an estimated 400 people packed themselves into the nearby San Pedro church for a 90-minute funeral service. A picture of Ballesteros punching the air as he claimed The Open at St Andrews in 1984 was placed alongside the urn containing his ashes inside the church.

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It was preceded by a procession, led by a piper and the Ballesteros family, which weaved through the village to the church.

Among those in attendance were former Ryder Cup captains Colin Montgomerie, Nick Faldo and José María Olazábal, the latter of whom was especially close to Ballesteros.

Giant screens broadcast images of the funeral in the village square while Spanish television networks filmed the entire occasion live.

Billy Foster, Ballesteros’ former caddie, said: “To kiss his urn, it’s very final. It’s tough to stomach. There will never be another Seve.”

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Montgomerie said: “He was a legend here. It was a very sad and moving service.

“To see this local support is phenomenal. These aren’t golfers here. They are just townspeople. He is hero to them, not just the golfing world.”

The cremation was carried out at a private location in Pedreña, as was the golfer’s wish. Members of the local rowing club formed a guard of honour while many houses flew Spanish flags with black ribbons attached.

Meanwhile, pressure is mounting on the European Tour to have an image of Ballesteros as part of their logo, replacing the current motif of a silhouette of Harry Vardon – Open champion a record six times between 1896 and 1914.

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