A bronze statue of golf legend Severiano “Seve” Ballesteros has disappeared from his hometown. Authorities are investigating the theft.
A life-sized bronze statue of the Spanish golf legend Severiano “Seve” Ballesteros, erected in 2009, has vanished from his hometown of Pedrena in the Cantabria region, according to city officials. Spanish authorities have launched an investigation after the council of the larger municipality Marina de Cudeyo announced on Instagram that the “unfortunate event” over the weekend suggests the statue was stolen. The municipal council appealed to the public for assistance in the investigation: “If anyone has observed suspicious activity, especially within the last 24 hours, please contact the Guardia Civil or local police immediately.”
The life-sized bronze statue captures the moment of Ballesteros’ victory at the Open Championship in St. Andrews in 1984. Ballesteros trailed Tom Watson in the final round but managed to turn the game around, securing a two-stroke lead and thus the Claret Jug, denying Watson a third consecutive Open title.
Severiano Ballesteros: One of European golf’s greatest figures
The bronze statue honored Spaniard Severiano Ballesteros, who helped his European team to four Ryder Cup victories as both a player and later as captain. His professional career achievements began at age 19 when he finished runner-up to Jack Nicklaus at the 1976 Open Championship. Ballesteros won three Open Championships (1979, 1984, 1988) and won the Masters in 1980 and 1983. He received numerous awards during his career, including Golfer of the Year, was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1999, and was named European Player of the Century in 2000. Ballesteros holds the record for 50 wins on the PGA European Tour. He passed away in 2011 at the age of 54 from a brain tumor.
The statue was created in 2009 by Spanish sculptor Salvador Garcia Ceballos and permanently installed in La Barqueria Park in 2017.