Dubai: Tributes were pouring in from members of the UAE golfing community for an ‘inspirational' Seve Ballesteros, whose Dubai Desert Classic triumph in 1992 is regarded as the turning point for the popular European PGA tournament.
The Spanish great died yesterday at the age of 54 following a long battle with cancer and was being remembered mostly as a sportsman who had a wonderful ability to inspire friends and peers.
Leading the accolades was Mohammad Juma Bu Amim, Vice Chairman and CEO of golf in Dubai, who said: "Seve has been so good to the game and especially for us as he actually set the benchmark for the Classic. He came here when he was at his best and winning our tournament gave it the impetus for it to become what it is today.
"He was special and had an aura about him, similar to what Tiger Woods has. He was a very emotional person and perhaps that's what drove him to become what he was. And I think that's what people will remember him for most."
A perfect gentleman
Supporting Bu Amim was Dubai Golf CEO Rod Bogg who recalled standing behind the ropes at the Emirates Golf Club in 1992 watching his ‘hero' win the Classic following a playoff with Ireland's Ronan Rafferty.
"I also had the real privilege of playing in the Pro-Am with him. He was fantastic, but I wasn't. That's what happens when you play golf with your hero," said Bogg with a laugh. "But he was by far the most charismatic golfer on the planet. He was also a perfect gentleman and in short, a very, very nice man."
Adel Zarouni, secretary-general of the Emirates Golf Federation said the sport has lost one of its most wonderful characters.
"He was a true legend on and off the course. He played golf with a lot of passion and he had a very competitive spirit," said Zarouni. "He was a very good ambassador for the game and will truly be missed."
Former seven-time UAE golf champion Esmail Sharif marvelled at the Spaniard's skills.
"Seve was a master of the short game. He had a fantastic touch that nobody in the game could match," Sharif recollected. "He was a loving father and husband, and he had a great sense of humour. I remember him joking with me as I was learning some trick shots with his brother Vicente. He said: ‘Esmail, if you want to join a circus then you've come to the right place. But if you want to become a golfer you need to find a real coach."
