Latest news with #Fireballs'
Press and Journal
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Press and Journal
'We'll miss him forever' - Evan Thomson's closest friends pay tribute to their pal
The friends and girlfriend of tragic Evan Thomson have paid emotional tributes to the fun-loving 26-year-old after he tragically died while on holiday in Ibiza. We previously reported how Evan, from the Hilton area of Aberdeen, was on the Spanish holiday island when he fell from a sixth-floor balcony and died on July 7. His family were reassured that he would not have suffered in the moments before his passing. Now, four of his closest friends have recalled their fondest memories of Evan, who made a living selling designer and collectors' items and had grand ambitions to launch his own property empire. His girlfriend Remi Duncan, 23, said: 'The last week has been indescribably awful, but the one small mercy is we've supported each other. 'Evan's passing has left a big hole in our lives and we will miss him forever.' Remi recalled with a smile how she first met Evan in January while on a night out in an Aberdeen bar. Remi said: 'I was at the bar in Prohibition on a Friday night. 'I was being polite,' she said. 'He'd been standing there for a bit longer than I had, so I tapped him on the shoulder and said 'you can go first'. 'The next thing I know, I had a shot coming over to me. It was a Fireball. 'I said 'I don't do Fireballs' and Evan replied: 'Well, tonight you do'. 'He had me laughing from the get-go and then we were just yapping for the rest of the night. 'His first impression really did work on me.' Remi added: 'We added each other on social media and were constantly talking. 'It got a little bit more serious. He would come round to mine. We started FaceTiming and calling and we became a couple. 'He'd keep me up until 7am sometimes, but would always have something to say and would keep me smiling. 'It was clear to see that Evan always wanted to be an entrepreneur and had the mindset of not letting anything get in his way. 'Evan would sit at night doing loads of research for hours – he put a lot of effort into his work.' Another pal, James Shand, 24, said he met Evan completely by chance after an event. James had left his wallet at the event and Evan found it – then went out of his way to track down James. After returning his wallet, Evan hit it off with James right away. James said: 'We'd spent time in a group on a 45-minute walk and, for the whole journey, I noticed that Evan and I stayed so close to each other. 'From the top of St Nicholas Centre to Hilton, me and him just chatted for so long – little did I know I was going to meet my best friend, all because of a missing wallet. 'He was such a caring person and he valued everyone so highly. 'We would play badminton together at Aberdeen Sports Village – and he would beat us all at it. 'He also liked to play FIFA on Xbox. 'Evan would lose – but he made sure after a while that would change by sitting at home and practising, then getting his revenge by beating us at the game.' Often while socialising, Evan's group would sit and watch reality shows like Love Island – but he would try to persuade others to turn the channel and 'watch something more educational so we can learn something'. James said: 'That's just his character – he was one of a kind. 'Last year, we went to Krakow in Poland. It was one of these spontaneous last-minute trips. 'It was such a good time. A city break – four or five days away. We did so much. 'Evan always said to me, because I'm a bit younger than him and I'd never been on holidays, 'we need to get you out of Aberdeen to see other places'. 'He changed people's lives for the better.' James added: 'On his 18th birthday, his parents (Graham and Lel) let him have some people round.' Remi added: 'You'd get two friends turning up, then more kept showing up, then more. 'Lel told me she became so stressed and Evan's friends were offering her cups of tea in her own kitchen.' James added that Evan's music taste ranged from classical to drill and everything in between – a song for every occasion. Lewis Davidson, 25, said: 'I went to Harlaw Academy. I think he joined my school when he was about 13 or 14, from St Machar Academy. 'He wasn't exactly one of the hardest people to miss in the corridor. 'He was the tallest, at 6ft 3in, and was always smiling. 'You could always hear him coming, whether he was laughing or making other people laugh. 'All you needed was one conversation and next thing you know you're speaking to him every time you see him.' Blair Robertson, 24, met Evan through James when Blair started university. He said: 'Evan was someone you always want to be around. He had an aura about him. 'Our friendship group is made up of people from different places and Evan was the glue of the group – he was the reason it formed.' Though Evan had a taste of university life by socialising at Blair's halls, he didn't fancy higher learning. Blair said: 'Evan always wanted to be successful. 'He was always doing something active – whether it be starting off a clothes brand or buying and selling other items. 'Evan wanted to work for himself and do well.' James said: 'Of everyone in the group, Evan was the trendsetter and had an eye for fashion and trends. 'He would buy Supreme shoes at the time that they were in demand and they would sell instantly.' Lewis said: 'Some of us were considering forming a property business together with Evan. 'We went to open-house events. 'He was really looking forward to doing up the houses. 'Regardless of whether he was good at DIY – it wouldn't matter. If you gave him 10 minutes and a youtube video, he would have it done. 'He was really keen on going into property dealings. 'I used to wake up some mornings and he'd sent me four property web pages and I'm looking at the very early time he's sent it thinking 'what is he playing at there?' 'You could never accuse him of not being ambitious. 'He always wanted the best for himself and everyone around him.' James said: 'Evan's main thing in life is that he used to be so annoying for taking pictures and videos. 'I used to say to him 'why have you always got your phone out?' 'He would reply 'because we're making memories.'' James added: 'He had an impact on everybody and changed people's lives for the better.' Remi said: 'Evan really turned my world upside down and taught me not to care about what people think. 'He didn't care – and did what he wanted to do – and he really opened my eyes with that.' Blair, who has a young daughter, said: 'A couple of weeks ago, Evan was trying to teach my daughter how to crawl. 'He has always offered to get her to sleep and everything and. every time he saw me with my daughter, he'd say: 'I want one of these'.' Remi added: 'He definitely would mention that to me!' Lewis said: 'Blair's birthday was not so long ago and Evan bought him a camera – so he could capture all those memories with his daughter. 'That's the kind of caring person he was. And we will miss him.'
Daily Mirror
04-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
LIV Golf signs controversial Masters star who urinated in Rae's Creek
Josele Ballester was one of the most highly-rated amateur golfers in the world before he caused controversy at The Masters by urinating in Rae's Creek Josele Ballester, who turned heads at The Masters, has been revealed as the newest recruit for LIV Golf, joining forces with Sergio Garcia's Fireballs squad. The Spanish prodigy, currently ranked 6th in the World Amateur Golf Ranking, is set to make his professional bow at this weekend's event in Virginia. The competition kicks off this Friday at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Club. Ballester, 21, replaces Luis Masaveu on the Fireballs' roster - although the 22-year-old remains in play as a reserve and will be in action this weekend with David Puig sidelined due to injury. Ballester shares a deep connection with Garcia, with both hailing from Spain's Castellón province, More pertinently, Garcia's father, Victor, has been coaching Ballester since his early days. "We are very excited about Josele joining the team," an enthusiastic Garcia said. "Personally, I have known him since he could pick up a golf club and he has worked with my father as his coach throughout his golf career. Josele is going to be a great addition not only to the Fireballs but also to the LIV League and I can't wait to be with him by his side as he makes his professional debut." An Arizona State alum, during his final college year, Ballester was a standout, securing fourth place in the NCAA Championship. His stellar play earned him third spot in the PGA Tour University rankings, granting him a Korn Ferry Tour card. And he now joins LIV, despite other invites. He said: "First and Foremost, I want to thank my family, coaches, friends, and Arizona State University for supporting me and believing in me to make it to this step of my career. I am very excited about the opportunity to join Fireballs GC and continue to learn from Sergio and other greats." Ballester boasts an impressive track record, capturing the US Amateur title last year and triumphing at the European Amateur in 2023. His US Amateur victory at Hazeltine snagged him an invitation to The Masters at Augusta National, where he played alongside top golfer Scottie Scheffler and two-time major winner Justin Thomas - although he didn't make the cut. At Augusta National, Ballester not only brushed shoulders with golfing legends but also learnt valuable lessons about the club's revered traditions. During his debut round, spectators caught him relieving himself in Rae's Creek, a move that surprisingly earned him a hearty applause upon his return. However, others were less impressed by his actions, especially when he reiterated in a press conference that he would repeat his actions. After his second round, though, he backtracked and apologised. "I already apologised to the club, and I think we just move on from this moment. It will not happen again," Ballester told reporters. "I know there has been a lot said about what happened on social media, but I try to stay away from all that. "A couple of friends reached out just to say 'Hey, you'll be fine. I'm still your friend.' So it's good to have those friends that have your back when the news is not that good about you."
