Jose Maria Olazabal and fellow Spaniard Miguel Angel Jimenez joined Tour officials and other dignitaries in unveiling a special Seve Ballesteros commemorative plaque at the entrance to the Crans-sur-Sierre course.
Ballesteros was the youngest-ever winner of the Omega European Masters in 1977 and he became still the only player to successfully defend the title the following year before also winning again in 1989.
Jose Maria Olazabal proudly lays a plaque to commemorate Seve Ballesteros' success in Switzerland as Omega's President, Stephen Urqhardt and the Euroepean Tour's George O'Grady look on.(Photo - Fran Caffrey/www.golffile.ie)
Olazabal was asked to place a bronze plaque in wet cement before the ceremony was moved just yards up the main Crans-sur-Sierre street when Jimenez unveilved a plaque to commemorate his 2010 Swiss success.
“I have many, many memories whenever we talk about Seve,” said Olazabal.
“I started my career playing with Seve. He took me under his win but unfortunately he passed away far too early.
“It was a sad moment for all us last May but in laying a plaque to him today somehow brings back wonderful memories, and to have Seve’s name here at the entrance to the golf course, and a place where he loved coming to so much, is a wonderful memory to him.
“He won here three times and I am sure if saw this plaque he would have a nice smile on his face.”
However Olazabal has apologised to Scottish fans as Ryder Cup commitments means he has had to pull out of the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship later this month.
“The start of the Ryder Cup qualifying means it also gets a little busier for me as I have a couple of meetings at the Vivendi,” said Olazabal.
“I then have to go to Chicago the week after to look at the Medinah course, look at the hotels and meet the local media and officials.
“That’s one of the reasons I am disappointed I am not going to be able to play the Dunhill as I need to be in Chicago the Tuesday of the Dunhill (Sept 27th).
“So I am sorry to all those Scottish fans looking to see me play in the Dunhill.
“So while it will get busier and busier for me, I am also trying to cut down that part of what I have to do as much as possible.”
