Ballesteros' love of English stops short at caddie

GOLF

In Plymouth harbour the trawlers are flying Canadian flags. Since Drake's day they've hardly lit a beacon for the Spanish, but Seve Ballesteros is an exception. "I enjoy England," he said. "It's my second country."

It was not a convincing performance. On the face of it he had reasons to be cheerful: 12 months ago here he ended a dreadful run, winning the Benson and Hedges International Open on one of the most mischievous courses in Europe. "Do you think you can win," he was asked yesterday, "without Jose-Maria Olazabal?" Ballesteros replied: "Probably not. I don't feel very comfortable with my swing."

A couple of weeks ago Ballesteros, in harness with Olazabal, won the Perrier fourball event in Paris. However, he seems to be going through a mid-life change. Ballesteros has parted company with his Yorkshire caddie, Billy Foster, and his American manager, Joe Collet. Both developments were, according to the Spaniard, by mutual consent.

Roddy Carr, son of the legendary Irish golfer, Joe Carr, and a vice-president of Ballesteros' company Amen Corner, has replaced Collet and Joey Jones is now carrying the bag instead of Foster. In a practice round prior to the Masters at Augusta National, Ballesteros and Foster had a disagreement.

"It's one of those strange things that happen in life," Ballesteros said. "I didn't expect that. He's a very good caddie, maybe the best I've had. He's a good guy, we're good friends. It was not an easy decision. We've shared so many good times and bad times."

On the recommendation of John Mulrooney, Olazabal's caddie, Ballesteros recruited Jones. The occupation of a caddie is even more precarious than that of a football manager and, considering that Ballesteros changes his bag carrier almost as often as he changes his socks, it is not advisable to give up the day job when taking it on. This, though, is what Jones has done, having started up this year a lucrative business on the Tour called Caddieshack Catering.

Ballesteros may be on first- name terms with his new assistant but he does not give the impression of being a bosom pal. "Jones?" Ballesteros said. "Is that his second name? He's Irish, no?" Eh, no Seve, he's from Liverpool. "From Liverpool? Same thing. It's okay. We haven't talked very much. I may not like the way he caddies for me. He may not like me."

The European Tour started in January but Ballesteros regards the Benson and Hedges, which has a purse of £650,000, as the "beginning of the season."

"Just about everybody's here but Faldo, no?" Ballesteros said. Er, no. He was reminded that Ian Woosnam was not playing. "Why?" Good question, Seve, and we can only assume that the Welshman does not like the course. Designed by Jack Nicklaus, who almost had to move heaven and earth to build 18 holes on exposed farmland, it is not everybody's cup of tea.

Olazabal, who won here in 1990, said: "There are good events and very good events and this is one of the very good events. I don't get upset when the weather gets bad. I like to test myself in all conditions."

According to the forecast, he is going to get the chance this week. Had the tournament been played on its original date, last week, it would, of course, have enjoyed a heatwave.

One thing that has not changed with the Benson and Hedges is the television coverage. The company, which in effect has copyright on the event, rejected the Tour's advances to become part of a comprehensive deal with Sky Sports. B and H's argument was that their viewing figures with the BBC would be considerably higher.

Other sponsors have not had the luxury of choice. The Tour signed with Sky for an undisclosed sum (it is believed to be around £35m) nearly two years ago and since then the Scottish Open, one of the events which switched from the BBC to Sky, has lost its sponsor, as has the European Open.

Others are not chuffed about the agreement, either. Murphy's, for example, who sponsor the English Open at the Forest of Arden next month, have reduced their investment in the championship on the grounds that with terrestrial television coverage they could expect an audience of around two and a half million. With Sky last year it was about 60,000.