How Seve Ballesteros’ Gold Putter Came Into Ian Poulter’s Possession: Story From the Vault
KILLENARD, IRELAND - SEPTEMBER 26: (FILE PHOTO) Seve Ballesteros, captain of the European Team, plays a tee shot during the Pro-Am for the Seve Trophy 2007 held at The Heritage Golf and Country Club on September 26, 2007 in Killenard, Ireland. It was announced on October 12, 2008 that 51 year old Spanish golf legend Severiano Ballesteros has been diagnosed with a brain tumour, after being admitted earlier in the week to La Paz hospital in Madrid for tests following brief loss of consciousness. Ballesteros is due to undergo a biopsy in the coming week. SEVE BALLESTEROS - ZUMAs70_ 75889139st
KILLENARD, IRELAND - SEPTEMBER 26: (FILE PHOTO) Seve Ballesteros, captain of the European Team, plays a tee shot during the Pro-Am for the Seve Trophy 2007 held at The Heritage Golf and Country Club on September 26, 2007 in Killenard, Ireland. It was announced on October 12, 2008 that 51 year old Spanish golf legend Severiano Ballesteros has been diagnosed with a brain tumour, after being admitted earlier in the week to La Paz hospital in Madrid for tests following brief loss of consciousness. Ballesteros is due to undergo a biopsy in the coming week. SEVE BALLESTEROS - ZUMAs70_ 75889139st
Former World No. 1 Seve Ballesteros’ untimely passing caused an emotional upheaval in the golfing community. As a sign of respect, Ian Poulter also added Ballesteros’ gold putter to his collection.
Ballesteros has been posthumously honored at various events. Notably, The Players' Player of the Year Award on the European Tour was renamed in his honor.
“So when Seve passed away [in] 2011, The Ping Vault gave his Open championship winning putter, that was from the vault, to the charity, Seve’s Foundation,” said Poulter.
The 2006 Open Championship Seve Ballesteros during the second round on 21st July 2006 The Open Championship 2006, Royal Liverpool GC, Hoylake, England,UK. Copyright: xMarkxNewcombex
The 2006 Open Championship Seve Ballesteros during the second round on 21st July 2006 The Open Championship 2006, Royal Liverpool GC, Hoylake, England,UK. Copyright: xMarkxNewcombex
The putter was auctioned off at the "Ole Seve" pro-am day at Wentworth in 2011. Poulter was not letting this opportunity slide. He spent £55,000 on the gold putter and revealed the club would take pride of place in his trophy cabinet.
"It's something I will really treasure," stated Poulter.
The event raised more than £618,000 for the Ballesteros Foundation and Cancer Research UK, and Poulter played a huge role in that.
Poulter’s collection also comprises the ball that Ballesteros presented to him at the 1991 British Masters. He was 15 then, and twenty years later, he got hold of his idol’s putter.
In 2014, former Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie praised Poulter for having a ‘street fighter’ mentality just like Ballesteros.
“Seve was Seve, Seve was awesome. To see what he could do around links golf courses, which was the imagination side of golf, was fantastic,” said Poulter in 2014.
Poulter and Ballesteros had paired up at the Royal Liverpool in 2006, which was the Spaniard’s final Open appearance. Poulter also mentioned the charisma Ballesteros possessed and his incredible prowess around the greens.
Ballesteros finished his career with five major titles and a defining impact on the Ryder Cup.
Ballesteros’ Legacy
Golf Digest magazine ranked Ballesteros as the greatest Continental European golfer of all time in 2000.
Ballesteros won a total of five majors, two at Augusta and three Open Championships. Moreover, he was the first European to secure the Green Jacket and was the youngest winner at that time.
Most importantly, Ballesteros played a leading role in the resurgence of European golf, helping the European Ryder Cup team to five wins as both a player and captain.
Ballesteros’ influence is immense on younger generations of pros, with Poulter being an example of that.
Read more at Club Golf!
Written by
Avishek Sarkar
Edited by
Pulkit Prabhav