The trailblazing Spaniard – winner of a record 50 DP World Tour events – passed away on May 7, 2011 and on the 15th anniversary of that sad day, players across all global tours were invited to wear his signature colours.

Ballesteros’ son Javier and brother Manuel were in attendance as Seve was honoured on the first tee, with a picture of the five-time Major champion overlooking the competitors as they got their rounds under way.

“Today is a special day, for better or for worse, because it’s been many years since he passed away,” said Javier. “However, the fact that he is still being remembered on a golf course and at a tournament in Spain is very special. We are very proud and very grateful.

“I’m very happy to have experienced what we’ve experienced today and to see the players dressed like my father. The idea came from me and was very well received by Miguel Vidaor, the Tournament Director. We also knew that the tribute had to be on the golf course, just as he would have liked. The truth is, I’m very happy.

“That such young players, just joining the Tour, continue to see Seve as their idol even though they never got to know him is incredible. Above all, I’d highlight Jon Rahm – not just because he’s such a great player, but because so many times, one of the first things he’s done after winning a tournament has been to remember my father, even though he barely got to see him play. I imagine his father and mother must have instilled a bit of Seve in him, but it’s very touching and makes us feel very proud.

“(Angel) Ayora was wearing my father’s logo on his chest today, and as he himself said when making a difficult shot, he didn’t know if it was him or Seve who had done it… even if it’s just because he thinks about it sometimes, I’m sure it helps him mentally; it certainly doesn’t hurt.”

Born in 1957, Seve was just 19 when he won his first DP World title and between then and his last in 1995, he would rack up another 48 including two Masters Tournaments and three Opens.

He also played in eight Ryder Cups, winning three, and was the victorious captain on home soil at Valderrama in 1997.

His death at the age of 54 after a battle with brain cancer came on the third day of the Open de España at El Prat and as well as players wearing his colours, there are a host of other tributes taking place.

From Monday to Thursday, the flags on holes nine and 18 will be dedicated to Seve, and from Friday onwards the flag on hole five will represent his Major victories at The Open (1979, 1984 and 1988) and Masters (1980 and 1983).

Teeing off in the morning chill, Rocco Repetto Taylor had chance to wear the famous navy sweater

Miguel Viador, Tournament Director, said in the tribute on the first tee:“Today, here at Real Club de Golf El Prat, we remember a legend – and a man who shaped the identity of European golf, Severiano Ballesteros.

“Fifteen years ago, during this very week of the 2011 Spanish Open, we lost Seve. But his presence has never left this game.

“A charismatic champion and a true trailblazer, he changed what was possible, not just through his victories, but through his imagination, his courage, and his belief. He inspired generations of players, helped elevate the European Tour, now DP World Tour, and became the heartbeat of Europe’s rise on the Ryder Cup stage.

“This week, at the Estrella Damm Catalunya Championship, we honour him in the colours he made iconic – navy and white – worn with pride by our players, caddies, and staff here today and around the globe.

“Across this course, his story is visible: from the first tee to the 18th green, and in the flags that mark his five Major victories.

“Seve was from Pedreña, but he belonged to the world. And his legacy lives on in the spirit of this Tour.”

From www.europeantour.com

La entrada DP World Tour pays tribute to Seve in Spain se publicó primero en Seve Ballesteros.

The Player of the Year Award, named after the late, great Ballesteros, incorporates the former Golfer of the Year Award after the two accolades were combined in 2021 to become a single honour voted for by the DP World Tour’s members.

This accolade is one of several of the 35-year-old’s history-making achievements, having recently claimed his sixth Harry Vardon Trophy with his fourth worldwide victory in 2024 at the season-ending DP World Tour Championship, adding to his Hero Dubai Desert Classic, Zurich Classic of New Orleans, and Wells Fargo Championship successes.

McIlroy was in imperious form on the 2024 Race to Dubai, recording seven top-five finishes in addition to his two wins in Dubai, as he equalled Ballesteros on six season-long rankings victories.

The Northern Irishman was presented with the trophy by one of Seve’s sons, Javier, who travelled to Dubai ahead of this week’s Hero Dubai Desert Classic, won by his father more than 30 years ago, and by McIlroy on four occasions in 2009, 2015, 2023, and 2024.

McIlroy earned 46% of the votes cast by his fellow DP World Tour members, with Amgen Irish Open champion Rasmus Højgaard taking second place and Thriston Lawrence third. The four-time Major Champion was also voted Player of the Year in 2012, 2014, and 2015.

World Number Three McIlroy started the 2024 DP World Tour season with a record-breaking fourth Hero Dubai Desert Classic win as he successfully defended his title on a dramatic afternoon at Emirates Golf Club.

McIlroy came into the weekend ten shots back before a stunning third-round 63 put him into the final group on Sunday, where he went on to claim a famous victory in the desert.

He finished second at the U.S. Open in May, then recorded top-five finishes in the next three Rolex Series events: the Genesis Scottish Open, BMW PGA Championship, and Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship. He also finished second at the Amgen Irish Open at Royal County Down, before claiming his third DP World Tour Championship win and 18th DP World Tour title.

“The Seve Ballesteros Award is special, as well, because it’s voted on by your peers,” McIlroy said. “They are the ones that have been out there on the course with you week-in, week-out, playing the same golf courses, competing.

“So to get their vote is very meaningful. I said to Javier, the legacy that his dad left on not just European golf but global golf will live on forever. Our whole motivation that we rally around on the Ryder Cup team is Seve, and we feel like we have an advantage because of that.”

Javier Ballesteros said: “It’s special for me, my brother and sister to have the Player of the Year award named after my dad, and it’s obviously special to present it to Rory. I think he’s one of the best players of all time in global golf.

“I told him when I presented him the trophy it was special to watch him at home win his sixth Race to Dubai title, and to speak the way he did about my dad after. I had a few tears in my eyes seeing him.”

Guy Kinnings, Chief Executive of the DP World Tour, added: “Rory’s remarkable consistency and success in 2024 is a fitting tribute to the legacy of Seve Ballesteros. To win this award for a fourth time, voted for by his fellow peers, is a reflection of the admiration and regard he holds across our sport. His performances last season, particularly his sixth Race to Dubai title and his victories around the world, were nothing short of exceptional.

“Having Javier Ballesteros present the award in Dubai adds a special significance, bringing the spirit of Seve to this moment.”

From www.europeantour.com

La entrada Rory McIlroy wins 2024 Seve Ballesteros Award se publicó primero en Seve Ballesteros.

The flag was lowered from the top of the grandstand and down to the bottom, as it revealed an image of Ballesteros with the words ‘Per Sempre Nei Nostri Cuori’. This means ‘Always In Our Hearts’.

The flag was presented as Rory McIlroy and Tommy Fleetood strode down the 1st fairway in their match against Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth.

Seve’s son Javier Ballesteros and former teammate Jose Maria Olazabal were standing down on the 1st tee as the flag was lowered.

European captain Luke Donald joined them before having a photograph with both Spaniards.

Ballesteros’ Ryder Cup record was impressive with a 60.81% winning record.

The five-time major champion won 22.5 points from a possible 37.

Ballesteros struck up an incredible partnership with Olazabal in the biennial contest. Olazabal and Ballesteros played together in 15 matches and won 11, tied two and lost two.

Ballesteros played in eight Ryder Cups from 1979 to 1995. He then captained the European Ryder Cup team to victory on home soil at Valderrama in 1997.

www.GolfMagic.com

Seve, forever in our hearts #TeamEurope #RyderCup pic.twitter.com/N7FZNSz8LU

— Ryder Cup Europe (@RyderCupEurope) September 30, 2023

Team Europe. This is your time #TeamEurope | #RyderCup pic.twitter.com/h8Aq3huCaJ

— Ryder Cup Europe (@RyderCupEurope) October 1, 2023

La entrada Ryder Cup pays tribute to Seve Ballesteros with giant flag in 1st tee grandstand se publicó primero en Seve Ballesteros.

The 36-year-old becomes the first New Zealander to win the prestigious award since Michael Campbell received the honour in 2005, and it comes after an outstanding season during which he won twice and finished in a career-best second place on the DP World Tour Rankings presented by Rolex.

Fox polled 50% of the votes cast in total by the DP World Tour members, with DP World Tour Rankings winner Rory McIlroy taking second place ahead of the 2022 U.S. Open Champion Matt Fitzpatrick in third.

The Kiwi was presented with the trophy by one of Seve’s sons Javier and his daughter Carmen, both of whom travelled to this week’s Hero Dubai Desert Classic on the DP World Tour – a tournament won by Seve himself in 1992 – to officially welcome Fox to the illustrious list of winners.

Fox started 2022 in fine style, picking up his second DP World Tour title at the Ras al Khaimah Classic in February before an emotional victory at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship in St Andrews in October.

The 2016 Challenge Tour graduate dedicated his victory at the Home of Golf to the late cricketing great Shane Warne, whom he paired up with in the popular Pro-Am format on numerous occasions, including finishing runners-up together in the 2021 contest.

In addition to his pair of victories, Fox showed remarkable consistency to notch up four second place finishes – at the Soudal Open, Dutch Open, Horizon Irish Open and the Nedbank Golf Challenge – as well as a further four top tens.

In addition to his pair of victories, Fox showed remarkable consistency to notch up four second place finishes – at the Soudal Open, Dutch Open, Horizon Irish Open and the Nedbank Golf Challenge – as well as a further four top tens.

His excellent form led to a meteoric rise up the Official World Golf Ranking as he climbed from outside the top 200 into the world’s top 50 for the first time, peaking at a career-best 23rd after his victory at the Old Course.

The Player of the Year Award, named after the legendary Seve Ballesteros, last year amalgamated with the former Golfer of the Year award to become one singular honour voted for by the players, helping further commemorate the Spaniard’s incredible legacy.

Fox said: “It’s probably not something that I expected ever in my career. I would like to say it’s something I dreamed of, but you look at those names on the trophy and I probably don’t count myself as one of those. That is pretty cool, and to have Javier and Carmen come out and present it made it even more special.

“Last year I thought I had a chance but a few other guys played pretty well, Rory, Matt, Jon Rahm, especially at the end of the year. So when Keith Pelley told me I was pretty shocked and obviously pretty chuffed as well. To have your peers vote for you makes it that extra bit special.

“Obviously Dunhill Links was a big highlight for me last year, to win around the Home of Golf, it doesn’t really get any better. I shared the experience with Shane Warne for the previous four or five Dunhills that I played, and it was a bit sad without him there last year. To honour him that way made it even more special.

“Seve is such an icon of golf, and I’m a bit of a golf nut. I knew the history of Seve but probably didn’t quite understand then, growing up in New Zealand, quite the influence he had over here. It’s cool to hear the stories from some of the older guys that played with him, but to have my name on the Seve Ballesteros Award, it’s kind of surreal. It’s pretty cool to be part of a little bit of history in that regard.”

It’s cool to hear the stories from some of the older guys that played with him, but to have my name on the Seve Ballesteros Award, it’s kind of surreal. – Ryan Fox

Keith Pelley, Chief Executive of the DP World Tour, said: “Ryan’s form throughout 2022 was nothing short of outstanding. His two wins were undoubtedly the highlight, but to record a further eight top tens shows a remarkable level of consistency that clearly impressed his peers.

“Ryan is not only an immensely popular member of the DP World Tour, but also someone who cares deeply for the Tour as is illustrated by the valuable work he does, and the intelligent opinions he offers, as a member of our Tournament Committee.

“I also want to say thank you to Javier and Carmen Ballesteros for making the effort to travel to Dubai to present the award to Ryan. It meant a lot to him and to every one of us at the DP World Tour to have them there to represent their father.”

Javier Ballesteros said: “Well, I’m very happy that Ryan got the award. I think it’s important that Ryan got it with two wins, and of course he played a full season on the DP World Tour. It left me very happy, considering he’s a fantastic guy as well.

“For me, it’s very important and we are very proud to have our father’s name on this award. It’s a prize that is given by the players and to have his name on the award, it’s a very good way to keep his legacy alive.”

La entrada Ryan Fox wins the 2022 Seve Ballesteros Award se publicó primero en Seve Ballesteros.

The Spaniard scoops the prestigious accolade for the second time in three years after another spectacular season in which he claimed his first Major Championship, spent 27 weeks as World Number One and finished as Europe’s leading points scorer at the Ryder Cup.

Rahm became the first Spanish player to win the US Open, and just the fourth player from his country to win any Major, when he finished one shot clear of Louis Oosthuizen at Torrey Pines Golf Course in June.

The 27 year old, who only two weeks earlier had tested positive for Covid-19, produced a sensational finish to hold off the challenge of South African Oosthuizen, draining a 25 foot birdie putt on the 17^th hole before closing out with another birdie from 18 feet on the last.

Earlier in the year, Rahm finished tied fifth in the Masters and tied eighth at the US PGA Championship, and he extended his remarkable form in the Majors by finishing in a share of third position in the Open Championship at Royal St Georges in July.

His impressive 2021 season also included a share of fifth position in the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play and seventh place in the abrdn Scottish Open, the second Rolex Series event of 2021, while his statistics were equally notable on the PGA TOUR where he recorded 15 top ten finishes in total.

Rahm also took his stunning individual form in golf’s biggest events into September’s Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits where he finished as Europe’s leading points scorer with 3.5 points from his five matches. Three of those points came from his undefeated partnership with compatriot Sergio Garcia which evoked memories of the legendary Spanish pairing of José María Olazábal and Seve Ballesteros.

Rahm also followed in the latter’s footsteps by returning to the Number One spot on the Official World Golf Ranking, spending more than half the calendar year at the summit of the game.

He receives the Player of the Year award named in his compatriot’s honour which, for the first time this year, now also incorporates the former Golfer of the Year award into one singular honour voted for by the players, helping further commemorate Ballesteros’ incredible legacy as the European Tour group embarks on its 50^th anniversary year.

Rahm said: “Winning anything with Seve’s name on it is a huge honour for me, as is the fact that this is voted for by the players of the DP World Tour.

“It is very unique to be recognised by your peers like this. It is a true honour to be able to win this award for a second time and hopefully I can continue to make the DP World Tour proud.”

Keith Pelley, Chief Executive of the European Tour group, said “In the first year of this being the Tour’s combined Player of the Year award named in honour of one Spanish great, it is fitting the winner is another incredible Spaniard who is creating his own remarkable legacy on the global stage.

“Jon’s form throughout 2021 was simply outstanding and his victory at the US Open, in front of his family, was undoubtedly a highlight that will live long in the memory. That cemented his place among the pantheon of Europe’s all-time leading players and his contribution in the colours of Europe at the Ryder Cup also demonstrated what an extraordinary competitor he is.”

La entrada Jon Rahm wins 2021 Seve Ballesteros Award se publicó primero en Seve Ballesteros.

Keith Pelley, Chief Executive Officer at the European Tour, said: “I don’t think it is any surprise that Lee Westwood has won the Seve Ballesteros Award after such a tremendous season. At 48 years of age he is an icon, a former World Number One, our most recent Race to Dubai winner and like Seve, Lee is a true champion. He has an unwavering will to succeed, and he has proven that over and over again in his career.

“Lee is one of the few remaining European Tour players to have competed alongside Seve and to have had the honour to call him a friend. They are two players who will be long remembered in the pantheon of European Tour and Ryder Cup greats.”

Javier Ballesteros, Seve’s oldest son, added: “I am personally very happy Lee Westwood is the winner of the Seve Ballesteros Award for his incredible season. Lee is playing some great golf, I think he is physically in great shape and when you enjoy not only golf but life away from the game, things go well for you, and that has shown in how he has played not only last year but over the past few years around the world.”

David Howell, European Tour Tournament Committee Chairman, said: “It’s obviously not the first time Lee has won the Race to Dubai, and last year was of course a strange year, but it seems fitting that whenever something slightly different comes along Lee Westwood is there to remind us that things are normal.

“Whilst Seve was a worldwide player, a Major winner and one of the biggest stars in the game, you always felt that his heart was with the European Tour. I think that came out with his Ryder Cup heroics and you just knew Seve cared deeply about the growth of the European Tour, and similarly with Lee, while he has been at the top of the tree for many years you just know his heart is with us and he has always supported the European Tour where possible. He has been one of the biggest names for over two decades now and it is great to see someone so loyal to our Tour coming up trumps again last year.”

La entrada Westwood named 2020 Seve Ballesteros Award winner as Players’ Player of the Year se publicó primero en Seve Ballesteros.

Seve, one of the greatest sportsmen of his generation, passed away on 7 May 2011 aged just 54, following a battle with cancer having been diagnosed with a brain tumour two years earlier.

The tributes include the production of a feature-length documentary film, the publication of a stunning photobook by renowned sports photographer David Cannon and an 18-month exhibition at the British Golf Museum in St Andrews, the Home of Golf.

Martin Slumbers, Chief Executive of The R&A, said, “Seve always was the supreme showman and he played a huge part in deepening my love of golf. I hope that fans will truly enjoy these wonderful tributes that tell the story of this charismatic, flamboyant and inspirational golfer who is without doubt one of the greatest of all time.

“As we approach a special milestone in the history of The Open and reflect back over its many unique moments, Seve’s iconic and joyful celebration after holing the putt on the 18th green at St Andrews in 1984 is one memory that always sticks out in my mind. Sadly, he was taken from us too young and we must settle for the memories. But what glorious memories they are.”

The R&A is working with ZigZag Productions, Egoli Media and North Ridge Films to create ‘Seve’, a documentary film which will premiere in autumn of this year.

It will profile Ballesteros’ remarkable life on and off the course, from its humble beginnings in Cantabria, Spain, where, as a young boy, he learned to play golf on its beaches, through to realising his dream and become one of the most decorated and celebrated golfers in the history of the sport.

The landmark documentary will feature contributions from his family, including his children Javier, Miguel and Carmen Ballesteros, and fellow sporting heroes, including close friend José María Olazábal, Sir Nick Faldo, Gary Player and Colin Montgomerie.

Javier Ballesteros, Seve’s son, said, “My dad considered his winning moment at St Andrews the crowning achievement of a very special sporting career filled with tour wins, Major Championship victories and Ryder Cup triumphs, which makes it very fitting that we have been able to work with The R&A on these special tributes.

“For me, Miguel and Carmen, he was an even better father than he was a golfer which tells you everything about him as a man.  We would like to thank our dad’s fans for all the passionate and continuous support throughout the years.  It means so much to all of us that his legend lives on.”

The R&A and the European Tour have also supported the publication of a stunning new book “Seve: His Life through the Lens” which has been compiled by renowned sports photographer David Cannon of Getty Images and published by Vision Sports Publishing.

As well as photographs from Cannon’s portfolio and the archives of Getty Images, the book features many of the finest action images and portraits captured by other prominent golf photographers. The book is now available to purchase at TheOpen.com/Shop.

An exhibition celebrating the life of Seve will launch when the British Golf Museum in St Andrews is re-opened after refurbishment later this year. It will run for 18 months and visitors to the Home of Golf will enjoy a unique collection dedicated to his greatest achievements in golf, including winning The Open on three occasions in 1979, 1984 and 1988.

A series of content dedicated to celebrating his life will also be published on RandA.org and TheOpen.com and The Open’s and R&A social media channels, including Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.

A share of the proceeds from these tributes will be donated to the Seve Ballesteros Foundation to support the important work that it does to introduce young people to golf and encouraging their development and for vital scientific research that is used for the treatment of brain cancer.

La entrada 10 years on: the R&A celebrates the life of Seve Ballesteros se publicó primero en Seve Ballesteros.

The combination of temozolomide and dianhydrogalactitol acts synergistically, overcomes this resistance and increases survival in mice with brain tumours.

Treatments for glioblastoma have not improved in the last 20 years. The authors argue for the need to translate these results into clinical trials to study whether this combination therapy is also effective in patients with this disease.

Glioblastomas are the most common and most aggressive brain tumours. Their survival rate has barely increased over the last 50 years, indicating an urgent need to develop new therapeutic strategies. In a paper published this week in the journal Molecular Cancer Therapeutics, a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research, the team led by Massimo Squatrito, Head of the Seve Ballesteros Foundation Brain Tumour Group at the Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), proposes a novel therapeutic strategy based on the combination of temozolomide, the first-line treatment for these patients, and dianhydrogalactitol, a drug that is being tested in clinical trials and is already approved for the treatment of other tumours.

Currently, the main and virtually only treatment for glioblastomas is the combination of radiotherapy and the chemotherapy agent temozolomide, after surgical resection of the tumour mass. Like most chemotherapeutic agents used, temozolomide induces damage to the genetic material of tumour cells, causing them to break down and die.  However, in almost half of the patients, such tumours become resistant to the drug and the tumour continues to grow even while undergoing treatment.

“Although the incidence of glioblastoma is not excessively high in adults, they are the most common brain tumours, and there are no effective treatments or markers of response to treatment or of the generation of resistance,” says Squatrito.

DNA repair, the basis of resistance

Why do patients with glioblastoma stop responding to temozolomide? Squatrito and his team shed light on this central question last year in a paper published in the journal Nature Communications: some glioblastomas produce genomic rearrangements in the DNA repair gene MGMT, which increases its production and repairs the DNA damage induced by temozolomide so that the tumour manages to grow and evade treatment.

In the paper published now, the researchers studied temozolomide resistance in depth by using glioblastoma cell lines in which several key genes were silenced. The results show that this resistance not only depends on the MGMT gene but that it may also be mediated by failures in the MMR (DNA repair) pathway so that when any of its components are altered, tumour cells accumulate mutations that give them the ability to evade the effects of temozolomide.

Tumours are complex systems that use multiple tools to trick the body into supporting their growth and development. Combination therapies, targeting several components involved in the tumour process, are a revolution that brings hope to many patients. Advances in the understanding of the molecular biology of tumours allow the emergence of new therapies and targeted combinations thereof to fight the tumours and to avoid any type of resistance they may develop.

Combination therapy with dianhydrogalactitol

In the present study, the researchers focused on the drug dianhydrogalactitol, a chemotherapeutic agent that is able to cross the blood-brain barrier and reach the central nervous system, where it induces DNA damage in tumour cells. Dianhydrogalactitol is currently being tested in clinical trials for gliomas and other types of cancer such as ovarian cancer and is already approved in China for the treatment of acute myeloid leukaemia and lung cancer.

The results of this study show that temozolomide and dianhydrogalactitol act synergistically on tumour cells in vitro, resulting in slower growth of these cells compared to when they are treated with each drug individually. The researchers observed similar results in mice with brain tumours, which survived longer when treated simultaneously with temozolomide and dianhydrogalactitol.

Furthermore, the results suggest that, unlike temozolomide, the anticancer effects of dianhydrogalactitol are independent of the MGMT DNA repair gene and the MMR pathway. “Our data show that dianhydrogalactitol could be an effective treatment that circumvents the resistance mechanisms that arise during temozolomide treatment,” explains Miguel Jiménez-Alcázar, first author of the paper.

“The results we obtained with this study are of great interest, as they could lead to a substantial improvement in the evolution of these patients,” says Squatrito. “It now becomes a matter of urgency to take these finding to clinical practice to see if this combination of drugs increases survival; both drugs are clinically available, which could accelerate the timeline of this new approach,” he concludes.

This study was funded by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation, the Carlos III Health Institute, the Seve Ballesteros Foundation, the Spanish Association against Cancer (AECC) and the European Molecular Biology Organisation (EMBO).

La entrada Molecular cancer therapeutics. Discovered a combination therapy that could improve the survival of patients with aggressive brain tumours se publicó primero en Seve Ballesteros.

Real Golf de Pedreña hosted this weekend the Final of the sixth edition of the Seve Ballesteros Foundation Challenge, a solidarity circuit that takes place every two years and that has travelled the national territory with the objective of raising funds that, as in the five previous editions will go to the Spanish National Cancer Research Center , to assist in the scientific work on tumors of the Central Nervous System led by researcher Massimo Squatrito.

Almost 2,000 players have taken part in the VI Seve Ballesteros Foundation Challenge and the final was played among the 23 qualified couples. In this edition, the bad weather prevented a normal day and the game had to be suspended when only a few holes were played. In the end, by lottery, the ‘victory’ fell to the couple formed by Francisco Javier García Cutrín and Manuel López Silva, of the Real Aero Club of Vigo, and as a fantastic prize they are invited to enjoy the days of July 18 and 19 of the Open 2020 Championship courtesy of The R&A, and guests in transfers and accommodation by The Foundation.

However, all participants received the reward of being able to visit the trophy room of the private house of Severiano Ballesteros where they could marvel at the trophies and the incredible memory of the Cantabrian player, such as the three claret jugs as winner of the Open Championship or the two green jackets as the winner of the Augusta National Masters, among endless trophies, prizes and details that mark the room.
Seve Ballesteros, born in Pedreña on April 9, 1957, died on May 7, 2011 due to a brain tumour. In 2009 he founded his Foundation in order to contribute to scientific research on brain tumours, as well as to help young people in the development of their sports careers and at the same time bring golf to children using it as an instrument to promote the values that entails.

In 2011, the Seve Ballesteros Foundation signed a collaboration agreement with the Spanish National Cancer Research Center , that since then carries out research tasks focused on advancing the knowledge of the different types of cancer that affect the central nervous system, and whose work has been endorsed and recognized by the reports and papers presented that highlight the quality and progress of the work performed.

The Seve Ballesteros Foundation has contributed, to date, more than 750,000 euros to this great research work. For María Blasco, director of CNIO: “We are very grateful to The Foundation because its contribution is fundamental in the work we are doing and helps to place the CNIO as one of the most important research centres in the world, and the first in Europe, especially in relation to brain tumours, in which there is still much to study. The group that Massimo Squatrito directs is leading in the world and has made great progress in recent years, so we have nothing but words of thanks to the Seve Ballesteros Foundation for its financing”

Similarly, much of the success is due to the important collaboration of Mercedes-Benz since the first edition. Roland Schell, president of Mercedes-Benz Spain, said: “Mercedes-Benz has many values in common with the Seve Ballesteros Foundation. And these are the ones that make us full of satisfaction to be able to collaborate with the Foundation in its support for research”.

The awards ceremony was chaired by Javier and Carmen Ballesteros, sons of Seve, that together with his brother, Miguel, foster his father’s legacy strengthened by the multitude of work carried out by the Foundation. “We appreciate the participation of the thousands of players of this edition, the great help of Mercedes-Benz and the rest of sponsors – without them all this would not be possible – as well as the great collaboration, once again, of the Real Golf de Pedreña – this is where my father started – and the rest of the clubs that have signed up for this biennial edition; and all in order to support the incredible work of the CNIO directed by María Blasco, a work that is not visible on a daily basis, but whose work will help many in a promising future. And we are also very happy with the rest of the projects carried out by the Foundation, especially with children, both in areas of golf learning in children’s oncological areas of different hospitals, and in golf facilities to teach new generations, the two main motives of the foundation that my father created,” said Javier Ballesteros.

Jesús Rodríguez, head of the Seve Ballesteros Foundation golf program in the different hospitals, said: “what started at the Marqués de Valdecilla University Hospital, in Santander, with a golf playground for children with oncology and psychiatry patients, and It has grown to five terraces and golf programs at the Gregorio Marañón Hospital in Madrid, which help children to better manage the treatment, learn values and improve their stay in the medical centres”.

Other awards programs in which the Foundation works, such as the inauguration a month ago of the Seve Ballesteros Sports Centre in Brea de Tajo, where the passion of the children of the CRA Los Olivos promoted the transformation of a soccer field into a golf facility that will serve as a boost for golf and its values as well as helping the youth of the Brea Minors Centre in its integration; or the reform and improvement of the Pediatric ICU of the Niño Jesús Hospital in Madrid, the largest project led by the Aladina Foundation.

La entrada The Seve Ballesteros Foundation continues to spread the legacy of its founder se publicó primero en Seve Ballesteros.

The dream of the children from Brea de Tajo, Madrid, and specifically those who attend the school CRA Los Olivos, has come true with the opening of the Seve Ballesteros Sports Center. 

From the start it was a promising project of the Madrid Golf Federation, with its golf programme at schools, and has grown thanks to the perseverance of the youngsters, with the support of the City Council and the funds of the rural development programme of Madrid as well as the solidarity and aid of the Seve Ballesteros Foundation. All have been crucial to the success of the project, with the opening of a golf premises, the Sports Center Seve Ballesteros, where a football ground once stood. 

Rafael Barcala, Mayor of Brea de Tajo: “The support of the City Council of Brea de Tajo, the Seve Ballesteros Foundation and the Madrid Golf Fed have been important in this project, but without the enthusiasm and determination of the children of CRA Los Olivos, it would have been imposible to achieve. They were key in mobilizing institutions and golf bodies involved and now it is a reality. Besides becoming an important part of the lives of Brea inhabitants with a programme of Family Golf and other initiatives, it will also stimulate youngsters and provide an activity for the juvenile facility “Teresa de Calcuta”, and elderly people will have another space for their leisure and enjoyment”.

At the same time, Daniel Esteban, director of the CRA, an agrupation of rural schools, Los Olivos, boosted the dreams of the kids at Brea de Tajo by starting the programme “Design for Change”, in which the students had to deliver a project that would change their environment and had to steer it from the beginning until the end. 

“It all started with Seve’s birth in 1957, and then things just seemed to happen, the creation of the Madrid Golf  Federation, then the Seve Ballesteros Foundaton and the birth of Design for Change or The Golf Programme at schools by the Madrid Golf Federation. With passionted work of people in different parts of the world, we have joined forces and children of Brea de Tajo have changed their village into a better place. They had a dream and worked hard as well as many people to reach their aim and not simply a dream.

To end the opening, Miguel and Carmen Ballesteros added:

 “My brother, Javier and sister, Carmen are delighted to collaborate in this exciting project, and golf will be part of the every day life of children and residents of Brea de Tajo. It is a very special project for the Foundation, that our father started and preserves his legacy, supporting the promotion of golf and its values. This dream has been possible thanks to the City Council of Brea de Tajo and the Madrid Golf Federation as well as the rest of institutions. But most of all has been possible thanks to the enthusiasm of the Director and children at CRA Los Olivos.   

La entrada Opening of Seve Ballesteros Sport Center at Brea de Tajo se publicó primero en Seve Ballesteros.