European Tour Statement on alleged incident
at The Spanish Amateur Championship on September 12, 2004, at the Real Club de Golf de Pedreña, Santander, involving Severiano Ballesteros and European Tour Tournament Director José Maria Zamora.
George O’Grady, who becomes Executive Director of The European Tour on January 1, 2005, today announced that, following inquiries with regard to this incident, no further action will be taken.
O’Grady said: “There was an incident. Both Seve and José Maria regret that it took place. Words were spoken in the facilities of a private golf club and Seve accepts that he should have talked to José Maria in private so that the issue was left between the two of them.
“I have had a full and frank talk with Seve and I am now aware how bad he feels about the whole situation he has been going through. We do not condone what took place but there are mitigating circumstances for an incident so totally out of character during a career stretching more than 30 years.
“Seve has expressed how upset he feels about the incident. I have accepted this and Seve has assured me that is the end of the matter. Earlier this year Seve offered total support for my new role as Executive Director of The Tour. He has re-affirmed his commitment to me and his allegiance to The European Tour. He remains a true Champion and he has an important and influential role to play as an ambassador for the Tour and our sport.”
Seve Ballesteros said : “I talked to George O’Grady to whom I offered my account of what happened at a private Golf Club in Spain. Being a very reasonable person, George understood my thinking. I am aware who I am and what I represent and thus regret what happened. During my extensive professional career, I have always respected the noble rules of this Game both on and off the course. As far as the incident is concerned, my apologies to The European Tour and to those affected by my wrong manners.
“I am a passionate character and the high tension of the moment were detrimental to the situation. Neither as a player nor an individual do I hide away from my responsibilities.
“I would like to express my annoyance over the incident in the clubhouse at Pedreña last September which has attracted so much recent media attention. I can only say that I am distressed about any uncomfortable situation it may have caused The European Tour and my fellow professionals with this private matter being brought into the public domain.
“In talking with George O’Grady I stressed to him that I have the utmost respect for the rules of the Tour and the standards we set ourselves as professional golfers. In my 30 years as a professional I have prided myself on living up to those high standards while entertaining golf fans across the world to the best of my ability.
“I am extremely proud of the part I have been able to play in making the Tour such a success and introducing The Seve Trophy event which helps our best young players prepare for the unique challenge of The Ryder Cup.
“I have formally conveyed these words in a letter to George O’Grady which I believe provides both George and the Tournament Committee of The European Tour with evidence of my true displeasure and genuine regret.”
José Maria Zamora said: “What happened at Pedreña should never have been taken to the level that it has. Seve and I had our differences in Madeira where as the Tournament Director I was obliged to discuss with him, no different to any other Member of The European Tour, a ruling on which we disagreed. But it would be wrong to imply, as has been the case, that there is on-going friction between us, and as far as I am concerned I look forward to Seve being able to compete again. He remains one of Spain’s leading sportsmen, let alone the greatest golfer we have ever produced, and he is an inspiration to all our young players because of his achievements.”
