Sports commentator Peter Alliss has been hailed as the “voice of golf” who became a “true friend to the game” following his death on Saturday aged 89.
Alliss, who won more than 20 tournaments during his career and played on eight Ryder Cup teams, later moved into broadcasting and enjoyed a lengthy stint with the BBC.
His death at home in Surrey was announced by the European Tour, whose chief executive Keith Pelley described him as “truly one of golf’s greats”.
‘Remarkable legacy’
“Peter made an indelible mark on everything he did in our game, but especially as a player and a broadcaster, and he leaves a remarkable legacy,” he added.
Born on 28 February 1931 in Berlin, where his father Percy worked as a club pro, Alliss followed in his father’s footsteps and quit school aged 14 to work for him at Ferndown Golf Club in Dorset.
Two years later he turned professional himself, though his career was later put on hold by two years of national service in the RAF from 1949 to 1951.
Upon completion of this, Alliss soon began to make a name for himself and finished ninth in the 1953 Open, a performance that helped him gain selection for the Ryder Cup in October.
Alliss and his father became the first father and son duo to play in the biennial contest. He later moved into broadcasting and in 1978 became the BBC’s lead commentator.
In November, Alliss commentated on the Masters from home due to the coronavirus pandemic and his own failing health and next year he was due to celebrate his 60th year in broadcasting.
Match of the Day host Gary Lineker, who worked with Alliss at the BBC, was among those to pay tribute and said he was “deeply saddened” by his former colleague’s death.
“A wonderfully witty and truly brilliant commentator,” the former England star wrote on Twitter. “Golf will never be the same.”
Former Ryder Cup captain Thomas Bjorn also paid tribute, describing Alliss as a “great voice” and “true friend” of golf.
“Peter was a brilliant broadcaster but an even better player,” he said. “We will miss him dearly but we should also celebrate a life well lived. Thoughts are with the Alliss family.”
Alliss is also known to have struck up a friendship with the late James Bond actor Sir Sean Connery after he gave him golfing tips for scenes in the 1964 Bond film Goldfinger.
After Sir Sean’s death at the end of October, Alliss said the actor was a “dear friend” and a “good companion” who “thought going to Gleneagles was fantastic”.
‘Voice of golf’
In a statement released by the BBC on behalf of the Alliss family, they said his death was “unexpected but peaceful” and described him as a “devoted husband, father and grandfather”.
Barbara Slater, director of BBC Sport, said Alliss was the “voice of golf” and was an “absolute master of his craft with a unique ability to capture a moment with a magical turn of phrase”.
“He transcended his sport as one of the greatest broadcasters of his generation,” she added. “He will be terribly missed and our thoughts are with his family, friends and colleagues at this very sad time.”
