I was deeply saddened today to hear of the passing of golf legend, Seve Ballesteros. As I reflect on the influence he had on me at a young age, I can’t help but think it went much deeper than golf.
Seve was my first golfing hero when I took up the game at 12 years old. He was young, dashing, confident, had great charisma, and was a Spaniard (I’m half Colombian with the Spanish genes). As I grew up playing golf, I always imagined playing like Seve. I picked up his swashbuckling, big risk-big reward style. Ironically, as I think about him today, I realize that style carried over into my personal and business life. Maybe his influence has a lot to do with how I’ve attacked my life, not just my golf game. He was also a terrific ambassador for the game and philanthropist. He passed way too young at 54 years old.
Seve exuded confidence, passion, flare, and was never afraid to take risks to reap rewards, As we all do, he sometimes failed. As Alan Weiss says, “If you’re not failing, you’re not trying.” Through my maturation as a golfer and as a person, I believe I took those characteristics with me into life. I can honestly thank the influence of Seve Ballesteros in my life.
Here’s a great video of one of his classic shots…
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g5JfA1D1pkc&w=425&h=349]
© 2011 Dan Weedin. All Rights Reserved
