A life-sized bronze statue of Seve Ballesteros, the legendary Spanish golfer who won five major championships, has been stolen from a park in his hometown of Pedrena, Spain. The theft was reported on Instagram by the Marina de Cudeyo town council over the weekend, prompting authorities to launch an investigation.
The 2009 statue, created by sculptor Salvador Garcia Ceballos, depicts Ballesteros celebrating a famous victory at the Open Championship in St Andrews in 1984. It was installed permanently in La Barqueria Park in 2017 and had become a popular tourist attraction in Pedrena.
Ballesteros, who won four Ryder Cups as player and then captain, died of brain cancer in 2011 at the age of 54. His legacy continues to be celebrated by golf fans around the world, including in Spain, where his hometown has taken steps to preserve his memory through the statue and other tributes.
If anyone has seen suspicious movements or activity around La Barqueria Park, they are urged to contact the Civil Guard or local police authorities immediately. The statue's disappearance is a significant blow to the community, which had come to revere Ballesteros as a hero of Spanish golf.
The 2009 statue, created by sculptor Salvador Garcia Ceballos, depicts Ballesteros celebrating a famous victory at the Open Championship in St Andrews in 1984. It was installed permanently in La Barqueria Park in 2017 and had become a popular tourist attraction in Pedrena.
Ballesteros, who won four Ryder Cups as player and then captain, died of brain cancer in 2011 at the age of 54. His legacy continues to be celebrated by golf fans around the world, including in Spain, where his hometown has taken steps to preserve his memory through the statue and other tributes.
If anyone has seen suspicious movements or activity around La Barqueria Park, they are urged to contact the Civil Guard or local police authorities immediately. The statue's disappearance is a significant blow to the community, which had come to revere Ballesteros as a hero of Spanish golf.
This is so crazy! I mean, who steals a bronze statue of a legendary golfer? 
It's not just any statue, it's a piece of history for Seve Ballesteros fans in Pedrena, Spain. The fact that it was reported on Instagram makes me think it might be an inside job or someone who wants attention. 
I hope they catch the thief and recover the statue soon. It's really disappointing that something like this happened to a community that had come to cherish Seve's legacy. 
... it's like we're losing a piece of history, you know? This statue wasn't just a tribute to Seve Ballesteros, it was a connection to the past for so many people in Pedrena and beyond. I mean, think about all the memories that people must have made standing in front of that statue, feeling inspired by his achievements on the golf course... now, it's gone 
.
i mean whats next? stealing all the memorials to famous people? its like the community of pedrena is losing its identity 
anywayz, lets get a reward for finding it or smthn lol 
it's not just about the monetary value or whatever, it's about preserving history and paying respects to a legendary figure like seve ballesteros. i'm literally feeling so sad for the community right now 
... I mean, who needs a life-sized bronze statue of a golfer in a park? It sounds like someone's got nothing better to do than swipe art worth thousands 
. But hey, on the bright side, it's not like they're stealing historical landmarks or anything... just a random statue 
. Can't say I'm shocked, though - Pedrena does seem like the type of place where people might be a little lax with security 
. Guess we'll just have to wait and see who did it and why 
.
I mean, five major championships, what?! 
The way that statue looked at me every time I passed by La Barqueria Park brought back memories of watching golf tournaments with my mates during uni days 
those were the days... anyway, hope they catch whoever did this and put it back where it belongs 
this is such a shame! that statue was like, super iconic in pedrena and i can only imagine how sad it must be for the locals now 
hopefully it gets recovered soon, would be heartbreaking if it's lost forever