Seve Ballesteros is undoubtedly one of golf’s most iconic figures and The R&A is celebrating his life and career with the launch of a dedicated exhibition within The R&A World Golf Museum and the launch of the documentary film, Artist, Fighter, Legend, Seve.
The new exhibition will run for 18 months, including throughout The 150th Open in St Andrews, and visitors will enjoy a unique collection dedicated to his greatest achievements in golf, including winning The Open on three occasions in 1979, 1984 and 1988.
The exhibition includes a selection of images from sports photographer David Cannon, whose portfolio of work on Ballesteros’s colourful career has been published by The R&A in a new book, Seve – His Life Through the Lens. The book and exhibition feature Cannon’s famous shot of Ballesteros’s iconic celebration after holing a putt on the 18th hole at the Old Course in St Andrews in 1984 to win The Open.
Cannon commented: “I built a great relationship with Seve over both our careers. There was never a day when I was photographing Seve that he failed to give me an opportunity to capture a wonderful photograph. In my 40 years photographing golf there has not been another golfer who excited me like Seve did. I have never seen a natural smile like his; that smile and passion for golf and life shines brightly along the walls of the exhibition in almost every photograph of his sadly far too short life.”
Angela Howe, director of The R&A World Golf Museum, said: “We are delighted to officially open the Seve exhibition and look forward to welcoming visitors over the next 18 months. The new exhibition tells the story of his life and greatest achievements through this wonderful new collection and a selection of iconic images from David Cannon.”
To celebrate the launch of the new exhibition, The R&A hosted a VIP screening last Wednesday of the new film celebrating Ballesteros’s life at the New Picture House Cinema in St Andrews.
Supported and co-produced by The R&A and directed by David White and Joss Holmes, Artist, Fighter, Legend, Seve tells the story of the three-time Champion Golfer through interviews with members of his inner circle and peers, and never-before-heard audio clips and footage of Ballesteros himself.
To read more about the screening of Artist, Fighter, Legend, Seve and about The R&A’s tributes to the three-time Champion Golfer, visit https://www.theopen.com/latest/seve-ballesteros-exhibition-film.
The R&A