5/07/2011
Severiano Ballesteros 1957 - 2011
Today, at 2.10 a.m. Spanish time, Seve Ballesteros passed away peacefully surrounded by his family at his home in Pedreña.
The Ballesteros family is very grateful for all the support and gestures of love that have been received since Seve was diagnosed with a brain tumour on 5th October 2008 at Madrid Hospital la Paz.
At this time the family asks for respect and privacy at such a painful time.
Thank you very much.
5/06/2011
Seve Suffers Deterioration in Health
The family of Spanish golfer Seve Ballesteros has announced that the 54-year-old has suffered a 'severe deterioration' as he battles a brain tumour.
The five-time major winning Spaniard, who is being cared for at home in the northern Spanish town of Pedrena, is recovering from surgeries performed in 2008 to remove a malignant tumor from his brain.
A statement on his official website read: 'The family of Seve Ballesteros can report a severe deterioration in his neurological condition.'
Ballesteros, who announced his retirement from golf in 2007, collapsed at Madrid Airport in October 2008 and two days later it was confirmed he was suffering from a brain tumour
He underwent an initial 12-hour operation, but further surgery was necessary before he was well enough to return home and begin chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment.
'I am very motivated and working hard, although I am aware that my recovery will be slow and therefore I need to be patient and have a lot of determination,' he said at the time.
The five-time major winner Ballesteros was forced to retire from the game in 2007 due to his condition
After a second course of chemotherapy at Madrid's Le Paz Hospital in February 2009 he said on his website: 'The results of the check-up were really positive, better even than the first ones.'
Two more courses followed and four months later Ballesteros made his first public appearance, saying it was 'a miracle' to be alive.
In December 2009 he appeared on television to receive the BBC's Lifetime Achievement Award at the Sports Personality of the Year event.
He won the Open three times, the Masters twice and played an inspirational role in the Ryder Cup, helping Europe to lift the trophy in 1985, 1987, 1989 and 1995 before captaining them to another victory at Valderrama two years later.
Ballesteros turned professional in 1974 at the age of 16 and made his first huge impact two years later by finishing second in the Open alongside Jack Nicklaus at Royal Birkdale.
Golden touch: Ballesteros celebrated success in the Ryder Cup five times - four as a player and once as captain of Europe
His first major title came in the 1979 Open at Royal Lytham, he then became Masters champion in 1980 and 1983 and lifted the Claret Jug again at St Andrews in 1984 - arguably his greatest moment - and back at Lytham in 1988.
After a total of 87 tournament wins, his retirement came following years of battling an arthritic back and knee problems.
He was planning a farewell appearance for British fans at last year's Open at St Andrews - not in the main event, but in the four-hole Champions Challenge - but was not well enough to travel.
Only last month Phil Mickelson decided on a Spanish menu for the Champions Dinner at The Masters in Augusta in honour of Ballesteros.
5/05/2011
David Mortimer Take Clubs to Galway
David Mortimer [INPHO]
David Mortimer went into the final weeks of last season after a hectic period which had seen him qualify for Stage 2 of the European Tour Qualifying School at Dundonald Links in Scotland, then racing back to play in the Connemara Pro-Am, after which it was four rounds of the Ladbrokes Irish PGA Championship at Seapoint Golf Club – which he won on the last green with an eagle putt.
From the moment he won the Glenmuir PGA Championship at The Oxfordshire last August the season continued to be good for David Mortimer even though the final event of the season at Mount Juliet brought disappointment with a round of 78. Having been in the chase for the title Mortimer uncharacteristically struggled in the one day final event but still finished the season in 3rd spot in the Lexus Race to Mount Juliet.
At Stage 2 of Q School Mortimer in November Mortimer also fell short failing to make it to the final stage at the PGA Catalunya
On the Irish PGA Region last season Mortimer notched up five wins including the Dundrum House Pro-Am and most significantly, the 2010 Irish PGA Championships title for a second time – following his win at the Druids Heath in 2006. The rewards this season for Mortimer include a start at the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth later this month and the Irish Open in Killarney in July.
Mortimer will combine these events with his new role as the professional at Galway Golf Club.
Born in Connemara Mortimer saw golf enter his life early on after discovering the Par 3 course at Renvyle House just beside the family home. Since those days David has taken more than a passing interest in golf receiving recognition along the way at Interprovincial level, Irish Youths and Irish Seniors level.
Fact File:
DOB: August 23rd, 1975
Attachment - Galway Golf Club
Turned Professional - 2002
Achievements
2010 Winner Irish PGA Championship, Seapoint Golf Club
2010 Winner of Glenmuir PGA Championship, The Oxfordshire
2006 Winner of the Irish PGA Championship in 2006
2005 2nd British Assistant Championship; 6th Irish PGA Championship
2004 1st Stage 1 European Tour Qualifying School
2003 2nd Irish Assistant Championship and 10th Irish PGA Championship
Selected for the Connacht youths team in 1994 and senior team.
Played 9 years with the Connacht Senior Interprovinical team from 1994 - 2002.
In 2000 selected to represent Irish in the Governor Hugh Carey Cup.
www.galwaygolf.com
5/04/2011
Ted Higgins Tees Off in Tullow Venue
Ted Higgins Jnr
Last season Ted Higgins finished in seventeenth place in the Irish PGA Lexus Race to Mount Juliet, in association with PING and Failte Ireland, playing an impressive round of golf on the final day of the season at the Mount Juliet venue – coming close to winning the one day tournament. In the end the more natural order of things ensured that it was his cousin David Higgins, the full time professional, who took all the honours, and deservedly so after a seven under par round of 65.
It was a memorable return to the Kilkenny course for Ted Higgins, who had been Head Professional and Assistant Director of Golf at Mount Juliet between 1997 and 2002 proving his talent at the season finale on the Irish PGA Region. Since leaving Mount Juliet has regularly played Irish PGA Tour, Euro Pro Tour, European Challenge Tour and Mini Tour events in the U.S.A during the winter months, which culminated in the European Tour Qualifying School in 2007 where he secured a European Challenge Tour ranking for the 2008 season.
Prior to Mount Juliet in 1997 Higgins was Senior Assistant Professional at Royal County Down Golf Club, in Newcastle, County Down.
After returning to Northern Ireland in 2002 Higgins became involved in cross community teaching in association with several local schools and golf clubs in Fintona and his experience included the Irish Special Olympic team, individual coaching for Curtis Cup and Ladies European Tour player, Susie O’Brien. In 2005 the Professional Golfers’ Association (PGA) awarded Ted the status of “Advanced PGA Professional”.
As an amateur Higgins played junior and senior golf winning competitions at national level in individual and team events. In addition was selected for Cork, Munster and Irish Teams with selected golfing achievements as an amateur that include, Runner up Munster Youths Sports Star of the Year, Player of the Year in Christian Brothers College, Won Senior Presidents Prize in Ballybunnion, County Kerry and Amateur Course Records
In September 1995 he turned Professional in September and became a fully qualified PGA professional in November 1997.
In 2009 Ted Higgins put his time into building a team of Irish professionals all focused on breaking through European Tour Qualifying School into the major ranks within two seasons and as a result created FORE Ireland, which also included David Mortimer, Michael Collins and Mark Staunton. In 2010 the team was joined by 1995 Ryder Cup star, Philip Walton.
Although the objective of reaching the major paid ranks was not achieved the team enjoyed much success on the Irish Region for two seasons and all finished with improved records in 2010. For David Mortimer it was a bumper year winning the Irish PGA Championship at Seapoint Golf Club and the Glenmuir PGA professional Championship at The Oxfordshire. For Michael Collins a top eight finish in the Lexus Race to Mount Juliet last October ensured a return trip to the Irish Open in Killarney next July, with Mark Staunton narrowly missing out his chance by a few points.
This week Ted Higgins embarks in his new role as the Professional at Mount Wolseley Hotel, Spa and Golf Resort in Tullow, County Carlow, returning to his natural vocation having given the game his full attention for last two seasons.
Factfile:
Date of Birth: December 28th, 1972
Attachment: FORE Ireland / Mount Wolseley
Turned Pro: 1995