The opening day of the Estrella Damm Catalunya Championship, May 7, will coincide with the 15th anniversary of the passing of Severiano Ballesteros.
On this emotional occasion, the DP World Tour, with the invaluable support of the Ballesteros family, will pay tribute to Seve, a pivotal figure in the sport who reshaped the history of golf through his talent, his unrivalled charisma and his triumphs.
His passing also coincided with the 2011 Spanish Open at the Real Club de Golf El Prat, which reinforces the significance of this tribute, conceived as a celebration of his life, his legacy and his impact on golf.
Ballesteros’ connection with El Prat also includes happier moments, such as his victories at the 1981 Benson & Hedges Spanish Open and the 1985 Sanyo Open, which remain in the memories of many members and fans.
Seve, who would have turned 69 on April 9, will take centre stage throughout the week at the Estrella Damm Catalunya Championship.
“Seve is a hero all over the world and is honoured at every edition of the Ryder Cup,” said Guy Kinnings, CEO of the DP World Tour during the launch event of the Estrella Damm Catalunya Championship on March 30. “That is why we want the players to pay tribute to him on May 7, during the first round of the tournament.”
Therefore, players who wish to do so will honour the ace from Pedreña by wearing navy blue and white, the outfit in which Ballesteros starred in some of the most memorable moments of his career, such as his victory at The 1984 Open Championship at St Andrews.
Furthermore, prior to first tee shot on Thursday the starter will acknowledge Seve’s anniversary.
The tribute to Seve will also be visible throughout the course, with images displayed on the first, on the 18th green, in various key points and in the practice range.
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 Championship (1979, 1984 and 1988) and the Masters (1980 and 1983).
Severiano Ballesteros, whose 50 titles are a DP World Tour record, is one of the most inspiring figures for all the players who knew him and for new generations of golfers, and for that reason he will also be commemorated in the player locker room.
The Estrella Damm Catalunya Championship, a DP World Tour tournament included in the Race to Dubai as the first event of the European Swing, is held thanks to the essential collaboration of the Real Club de Golf El Prat.
It is sponsored by Estrella Damm and will kick off the Road to 2031 Ryder Cup, a journey that will end at the 2031 Ryder Cup to be held at Camiral.
