I took up golf when I was 14, hooked by the most inspiring man ever to step foot on a golf course – Severiano Ballesteros. Four years into my golfing addiction I found myself at The Open at Royal Birkdale – watching, not playing unfortunately! Nick Faldo was the man in form at that time and as a fellow Englishman I SHOULD have been following him. But I wasn’t. I was following the man who had three times as many people cheering him on. He was the Spanish magician, the one, the only Seve. People didn’t just come to watch him play great golf. They, like me, adored this man – he was The Master. We cheered every shot, good or bad, we willed him on with all of our focus and intent. He was our hero, our champion, the genius we could only dream of becoming. His swing was a thing of natural beauty, not manufactured mechanics. His creative flair was a thing of legend, his short game to die for. When it came down to it, despite Faldo’s immense skill, presence, mental focus, dedication and talent, we all wanted to be Seve!

I particularly loved Seve’s attitude on the golf course. I loved the way he could hit his drive into the car park, then play from the tarmac to 2 feet from the flag! I loved the way no challenge was ever too great for the Master. I remember reading an article by him teaching what to do if you slice it into the trees. He said don’t just chop out with a sand wedge. Instead take a six iron, grip down the shaft, open your stance and punch it under the trees! Nobody else would or could write this! Whilst mere mortals would hit a wayward shot and be wishing for the clubhouse, he would just become more determined to show the golf ball who was boss! It is very rare for us golfers to play perfect shots, making recovery one of, if not the, most important qualities of a great golfer. And he was the best, by far. This ability to always bounce back more determined than before, took him above every one else, ascending him beyond being what it is to be a man, into the mystical realms of Mastery.

Of the many lessons I have learnt through watching Seve, my favourite is the “never say die” attitude. If you hit a shot off course, then great, what a fabulous opportunity to learn how to play it from there!! Here was a man who truly loved every shot. So consider what you can learn from the Master:

• What would happen if you applied this thinking to your own game?
• How could it remove your fear about playing poor shots, leaving you free to give each shot 100%?
• How could it help you recover your attitude and focus after playing a poor shot?
• How could Seve’s attitude teach you to uncover just how much talent you have?

Thank you Seve. You were and always will be, The Master. You are a legend in every sense of the word and world of golf is so much richer for having you in it. You live for ever in our hearts. Rest in peace.

Adam Sprackling