Severiano Ballesteros

I watched the BBC Personality of the Year 2009 show last night. A annual pilgrimage, an annual tradition. I think I've probably seen everyone since the late 60's. It was a must see in our house, just as much, if not more, than the Queens Christmas Speech, the Fa Cup final, the University Boat Race, Wimbledon and the Grand National. Never ever missed it.

In fact, in the garage I have a box containing video recordings of every year from  1985, when a young chirpy Barry McGuigan won after beating Pedrosa, at QPR's football ground covered by BBC. (Surprise Surprise) until the late 90's when DVD recorder took over. The last I've got is Jonny Wilkinson in 2003 after England won the Rugby World cup. I might have Sky plus'd a few since then, but I don't think I got round to committing them to disc.

It used to be simple, Overseas Personality, Team of the year and then the top 3. I've seen them all, Henry Cooper, Princess Anne, Mary Peters the next year, who comments that the Pricess Royal had kept the trophy clean, I can just see her with her tin of Brasso!!!! Is Brasso still available. (Don't have many trophies to polish these days!)

Now, there less sport to see, as Sky have most of the decent stuff and it's cut down to 2 hours (it used to be 3 plus in the good old days), not exactly too "modern", but not as inspiring as before. We know the nominees, there are awards for best Coach, best "joe public" sports organiser, young personality and prbably a couple of others I missed whilst taking a comfort break or refilling my glass!!!

But they've recently had a new "life time achievement" awards, starting in 1996 with Frank Bruno.  Notable winners sincew have been, Pele, Ian Botham, Martina Navratilova, Bobby Robson, Bobby Charlton, Alex Ferguson, Bjorn Borg and last night it was Seve Ballesteros.

Strange that, since he also won a BBC Sports Personality life time achievement award in 1997!

So how come he got one again? I'm not saying he does'nt deserve one, but it seemed a little strange. What has happened since 1997? He has not, like Greg Norman, or Tom Watson, challenged for a major title. In fact his game has gone downhill fast, probably since before 1997.

No, he has had to cope with a major illness, a brain tumour, a cancerous brain tumour that caught him suddenly and without warning. He has battled the illness as you would expect a fighter like Seve to do so, but to put it bluntly, he did not look good last night,. He could not fly to London for the award, he was at home with Jose Maria Olazabal, his great friend, who presented the award and was quite obviously an emotional wreck and close to tears as he spoke of his friend Seve.

Let us hope that this was not the last chance to honour a true gentleman sprotsman, a character, a maverick, probably the most naturally talented golfer ever, a true legend! Tiger Woods, please take note.

When you start to get older yourself, the superstars in whatever field, sport, film and television, music that you grew up with, or made a mark on you, start to get old and eventually shuffle off! It is sad to see the once greats, get old. Is it that long ago that Seve was winning the Open Championship with bravado and a huge smile, or stuffing the Yanks in the Ryder Cup.

Whilst not brought to tears last night, it was close.......I recall sat alone in the early hours to watch the the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games at Atlanta in1996, seeing the torch handed over to the Legend that is Muhammad Ali, seeing him stood shaking with the Parkinsons Disease that had taken over, tears streaming down my face to see him struck down in that way! He was so determined to be part of the Olypmics again! I've just watched it on You Tube and it still moves me now.

Let's hope that last night was not the last time we get to honour Seve, that he is well enough to get to, if not compete in the Open in 2010.

As he said, he is currently playing in the "6th Major" and it's the toughest course he has ever had to play!