What we do in life echoes in eternity.

The 7th May marks the 12th anniversary of the passing of Seve Ballesteros, the boy from Pedrena who became King of the World of Golf.

Like a tide that raises all boats, Seve led the charge in Europe to break the US dominance of the professional game. He burst on the stage at the 'The Open' at Royal Birkdale in 1976 and like a modern day gladiator, he capivated the World of Golf. He ignited participation in Spain and was the driving force behind European Ryder Cup team victory in 1985 at The Belfry. His matchplay peformances were legendary and he formed an unbeatable partnership with José María Olazábal?in Fourball and Foursomes. Then went on to Captain the European team to victory in his native in Spain in 1987.

Winner of 5 Majors, the Open 1979, 1984 and 1989 and The Masters 1980 and 1983 and won over 90 tournaments Worldwide.

A few quotes on Seve that describe him so well:

Winners are respected but not necessarily adored. Ballesteros appealed to the masses because he didn't just play golf: he attacked it, refusing to yield to the hard rules of nature that make it such a frustrating and difficult activity.

Ballesteros respected golf fans in Spain but loved golf fans in Britain. For them he could do no wrong. The way that he always showed his feelings appealed to a race of people who were taught to conceal theirs. That his golf was a confection of brilliant strokes mixed with an occasional very ordinary stroke made him human. If he hit a wild drive it did not matter. The fans knew he would probably follow it with a breathtaking recovery shot!

The "Seve" moniker was reminiscent of "Ali"; only the greats can be known by a single name. The eulogies for Ballesteros stretched so far that he is being talked about in that league. The common ingredient, as much as charisma, is skill, which he possessed in abundance: to be really mourned, the sportsman has to be capable of feats that would be impossible to his colleagues.

In the movie Gladiator, Maximus played by Russell Crowe seeks to inspire his troops before a battle scene when he says 'what we do in life, echoes in eternity!'

Seve was the greatest Golfer of his generation. He inspired his peers, fans and viewers. We will never see the likes of him again. Seve's legacy will echo in eternity.

RIP Seve.