Valle Romano Golf & Resort: A place to enjoy the sun, a place to enjoy golf

Seve´s Legacy

With these few lines we would like to give a brief sketch of Seve Ballesteros´ relationship with Valle Romano. There is so much to tell... but let us concentrate on his final years, after his life was shattered on that terrible day in 2008 at Barajas airport. From then on, he showed that as well as being a towering champion he was a great fighter and revealed the more human side of the celebrity, already a legend in golf.

We had more than just an ordinary professional relationship; it went beyond that to include admiration, affection, involvement on a personal level and familiarity. It is hard to describe, but what we do know is that he left us with so many memories, so many unique moments… Now this is his legacy and it is our duty to preserve and share it.

Since Valle Romano was no more than a plan, Seve had given it his backing and did so right up to the end. On our visits to Pedreña, as he battled against his illness, he always wanted to know, "How´s the course going? How are the houses?" Eager for any news, however insignificant it may have been. He would listen to us with endless attention and give his opinion, which was always welcome.

Valle Romano has a legacy which is now a treasure. We are part of the memory of one of the greats of the golfing world. Among this inheritance, we treasure the smallest of things, but also the most intimate, like his phrase at the beginning of the golf course visitors´ book, where he gave us an affectionate dedication: "If anything, I feel even more a part of the Valle Romano family…".

We also treat different objects he gave us as highly-prized treasures: signed caps, shirts and golf bags, a club bag and a club he used in one of his victories. Some of these are on show in the display cases of the Club House at Valle Romano, where there is also a sculpture of this brilliant sportsman´s hands holding a golf club in his famous, inimitable grip.

Moreover, every player who passes through Valle Romano will take away a special memory of Seve. Hole 9, the most distinctive one on the course, bears his name.

He did everything he could to be with us past June 2010 for the opening of the golf course, but it was no longer possible for him. He took the trouble to send us a distinguished representative, though. His close friend José Mª Olazábal, with contained emotion, unveiled a plaque in honour of Seve Ballesteros which will remain for ever in his memory at one of the entrances to the Club House.

We will always remember the message he recorded for us for the opening (another treasure): "I wish you all the best and that you´ll be very happy. And hit lots of birdies!".

May you be happy and carry on hitting lots of birdies, Seve!