The Crown Prince of Spain will lead the Seve Ballesteros mourners attending the memorial service at Pedrena while Iberdrola Open players will gather for a church service in Majorca.
Spain's Crown Prince Feilpe and his wife, Princess Letizia - leading mourners at Ballesteros memorial service.
Prince Felipe, who is next in line for the Spanish throne, will represent his father, King Juan Carlos. Accompanying the Prince will be his wife, Princess Letizia.
Joining the Crown Prince will be leading Spanish politicians and sporting identities who will travel to northern Spain for the 1pm (local time) service in the small parish church of San Pedro de Pedrena.
Heading those golfers paying their last respects to Ballesteros will be close friend and double Augusta winning, Jose Maria Olazabal.
Olazabal, who has been deeply saddened by Ballesteros’ passing, will travel by private jet in the company of Miguel Angel Jimenez from Majorca and venue for this week’s Iberdrola Open to be present at the service.
Other players attending include fellow Spaniards Pablo Larrazabal and Jose Manuel Lara along with England’s Steve Webster who left for Pedrena late today.
Victorious Ryder Cup Captains, Sam Torrance, Ian Woosnam and Colin Montgomerie will travel from the U.K. for the service, and Monty will then join the private jet returning to Majorca.
Those players attending the Pedrena service and competing in Majorca will be afforded afternoon tee times for the start of the event tomorrow (Thursday).
At Majorca, and venue for the Iberdrola Open, there will be a special church service in the unique Catholic chapel located beside the practice putting green at the Pula Golf Club (see photo).
The Catholic chapel close to the practice putting green at Pula Golf Club.
The chapel measures just 60 feet by 10 feet but it sure to jam -packed with golfers for the 8pm service tomorrow (Wed).
Also there will be black ribbons attached to all flags on the Pula course for the duration of Wednesday’s Pro-Am.
In addition there will be a minute’s silence at each of the 422 golf clubs in Spain.
George O’Grady, CEO of the European Tour, will lead a big European Tour representation that will also include the Ryder Cup Committee.
Also attending the Pedrena service will be the President of the Madrid Community, Ms. Esperanza Aguirre, who as a very keen golfer has been campaigning strongly for Spain to be awarded the 2018 Ryder Cup next Tuesday.
As well, Spain’s leading bull-fighter Enrique Ponce will be paying his respects to Ballesteros who last year became the first toreador to fight 200 bulls.
Thomas Aiken, winner of last week’s Spanish Open, arrived at Majorca to be congratulated on his maiden Tour victory and also complimented in dedicating the victory to Ballesteros.
Bizarrely, as the South African spoke today at the back of the 18th green at the Pula Golf Club, Olazabal was ending a practice round on the Majorca course he designed.
“We all knew last week in Barcelona how Seve’s passing affected Jose Maria and it was hard for none of us not to have tears in our eyes,” said Aiken.
“I saw Jose Maria a few times last weekend and I could gather how he was feeling.
“It’s just so sad for anyone, and someone as young as Seve, to pass away, and then for it to happen during a Spanish Open was remarkable.
“But I guess things happen for a reason and I’m a great believer in that.
“You can look back and you can gather that Seve lived his life to the fullest and he enjoyed every moment on the golf course.
“What a great human being he was. Not just as a golfer but as a person.
“It was only natural for me to dedicate my win to his memory and besides, I am sure any player last week would have done the same. We owe that to him for what he’s done for the game of golf.
“Golf is just a game and Seve made it that much better.”
