MANUEL BALLESTEROS, BROTHER OF THE GREAT CHAMPION AND A FORMER PROFESSIONAL GOLFER
Three decades have gone by since the Oliva Nova golf course designed by Severiano Ballesteros was opened. His brother Manuel, a PGA European Tour champion and his coach during his professional life, recalls the project’s beginnings, which marked a turning point in Valencian golf and in the Cantabrian champion’s career.
“I remember getting to know the project’s entire founding family, the Borhos, and we had many conversations,” says Manuel Ballesteros from his residence in Cantabria. “Their children and ours were still small, and throughout that time we spent quite a lot of time together.”
Through his brother’s company and as a shareholder in it, Manuel oversaw the evolution of the course, ensuring that the design respected Seve’s philosophy: “I was in Oliva Nova several times and I have very fond memories of the nearby sea and the growing facilities at that time,” he explains.
“Seve liked golf courses to keep their natural look, avoiding shifting big earthworks as much as possible. This was made possible thanks to the terrain chosen and its flatness, in contrast to other more complex locations.”
Manuel emphasises the balance of the course: “It’s a varied course, and not at all monotonous. There are very interesting holes that are deceptively simple, but not easy to play. Thirty years ago it was an achievable yet very innovative course, and it still is because there are more and more players, and they are better prepared.”
Time has also changed the game. “I’ve played the entire course several times and I remember how golf has changed since then, when woods really were made of that material. Now they’re actually metal and hit further, even though they still have the same name,” he muses with a nostalgic smile.
Finally, Manuel evokes an unforgettable image: “I have a vivid memory of my brother playing alone, enjoying the course, and sometimes even caddying for himself.”
