Peter Alliss, the eight-time Ryder Cup player, 31-time tournament winner, golf course designer, author and legendary golf commentator known universally as the ‘Voice of Golf’, has died aged 89 suddenly and peacefully at home.
One of the most renowned and popular names in the sport, formerly as a player and latterly for his decades of service as commentator for the BBC, Alliss passed away on the evening of Saturday December 5, 2020.
In 2012, Alliss was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame for his services to golf and just last month he commentated for the final time on the BBC’s coverage of the 2020 Masters Tournament from home.
Having been born into golfing royalty in 1931 – his father Percy was a prominent golfer in the 1920s and 1930s and played in four Ryder Cups – Alliss displayed an obvious talent for the game from an early age. He turned professional aged 16 and became an assistant pro to his father at Ferndown Golf Club.
After serving two years of national service for the RAF between 1949 and 1951, he started to find success in the professional game, winning his first title in the 1952 Gor-Ray Cup – the PGA Assistant Professionals Championship at the time.
After a top ten in The 1953 Open Championship followed by a third placed finish in the Irish Open, Alliss earned selection for his first Ryder Cup appearance. With the exception of the 1955 edition, he would represent Great Britain and Ireland in each Ryder Cup until 1969 – winning once in 1957.
In 1958, Alliss won three National Opens in a row, in the Italian Open, Spanish Open and Portugal Open, while in 1961, he worked his first tournament as a broadcaster for the BBC - The Open Championship at Royal Birkdale – where he also played. He retired as a playing professional and became BBC’s lead commentator in 1978.
In a broadcasting career which would span over 40 years, Alliss would become widely renowned as one of the game’s greatest commentators, winning the hearts of Britain and the world with his dulcet tones and sharp wit.
As well as commentating regularly for the BBC, he also worked for ESPN and ABC Sports as well as the Australian Broadcasting Corporation and the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.
As a much-loved broadcasting personality in Britain, he would appear on various television shows, while his illustrated book Peter Alliss' Golf Heroes won the 'Best Illustrated Book' category of the British Sports Book Awards in 2003.
Keith Pelley, Chief Executive Officer of the European Tour led the tributes, saying: “We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Peter Alliss, truly one of golf’s greats. 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. Our thoughts are with his wife Jackie and the Alliss family.”
Former Ryder Cup Captain and player Brian Huggett, who was part of three GB&I Ryder Cup teams in the 1960s alongside Alliss, said: "Peter did so much for golf, both on and off the course. His wonderful voice, humour and knowledge will be missed by golfers everywhere. Winnie and I send all the family our deepest condolences.”
Saddened to here today of the passing of Peter Alliss. A true icon of the game. My thoughts are with his family and friends at this time. https://t.co/ICtVWBjElJ
— Padraig Harrington (@padraig_h) December 6, 2020
Saddened to hear of the passing of Peter Alliss - many a fond memory listening to his voice and commentary as a young boy watching golf on the box - he certainly was a master at his craft. RIP
— Luke Donald (@LukeDonald) December 6, 2020
Very sad news today. Peter was an immense presence in the game of golf and a broadcasting giant for six decades. https://t.co/cCk36bxWtK
— Iain Carter (@iaincartergolf) December 6, 2020
What a great man..
— Thomas Bjørn (@thomasbjorngolf) December 6, 2020
Great voice and a true friend of our game.
Peter was a brilliant broadcaster but an even better player.
We will miss him dearly but we should also celebrate a life well lived.
Thoughts are with the Alliss family... https://t.co/Xkx2KpZqva
Peter Alliss sadly just passed away and I wanted to say how appreciative I am for the joy and entertainment he brought to so many people. His HofF speech is the best I’ve heard and I say “runker baker” every time I’m in Europe (he messed up once and I can’t forget it 😂)
— Phil Mickelson (@PhilMickelson) December 6, 2020
RIP Peter https://t.co/DTR7160YdZ
— Lee Westwood (@WestwoodLee) December 6, 2020
A truly brilliant commentator and story teller that for me and so many others was the voice of our childhoods and introduction to this great game. He more than left his mark on the course and in the commentary box. Peter was a one off.. God bless old boy ❤️ https://t.co/J1ME3DDOjV
— Nick Dougherty (@NickDougherty5) December 6, 2020
So sad to hear the passing of Peter Alliss. Many great memories of listening to his voice when watching the golf as a little girl. He will be missed ❤️
— Georgia Hall ⛳️ (@georgiahall96) December 6, 2020
Peter Alliss will forever be the voice of golf but he was also an incredibly warm, generous and kind man with a wicked sense of humour. An honour to share a studio with but even more special to share stories with. I will miss him hugely pic.twitter.com/hcjGrqdo5Y
— Eilidh Barbour (@EilidhBarbour) December 6, 2020
Sad to learn that golf lost one of its great players, broadcasters, writers, ambassadors and, most important, one of the game’s true friends, with the unexpected passing of Peter Alliss.
— Jack Nicklaus (@jacknicklaus) December 6, 2020
Peter was a dear friend to Barbara and me for probably over 60 years. pic.twitter.com/tKONryKjV2
You made our game richer and funnier Peter. We thank you. RIP Peter Alliss.
— Tom Watson (@TomWatsonPGA) December 6, 2020
Deeply saddened to hear that Peter Alliss has passed away. A wonderfully witty and truly brilliant commentator. Golf will never be the same. #RIPPeter
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) December 6, 2020
So broken-hearted to lose one of my great friends in the world. Peter Alliss. His dear Jackie was with him, just as he would have written it. I learned, laughed, and loved him.💔 Please send a hug to Jackie.
— Judy Rankin (@Jrprotalker) December 6, 2020
Very sad to hear the news of Peter Alliss passing away but what a career on and off the course. RIP Peter pic.twitter.com/32HnUHX03n
— Paul Lawrie (@PaulLawriegolf) December 6, 2020
Sorry to hear that Peter Alliss has passed away the true iconic voice of golf for me RIP 🙏🏻🙌🏻
— Stephen Gallacher (@stevieggolf) December 6, 2020
Sad to hear of Peter Alliss's death
— John Cleese (@JohnCleese) December 6, 2020
The most sane and comforting voice I ever heard
I always thought that I could cope with the ending of the world if only Peter was commentating on it
Sad news.
— Trevor Immelman (@TrevorImmelman) December 6, 2020
He made me laugh every time I was fortunate enough to be in his presence, and made me chuckle at the tv whenever he was on talking golf......RIP to the legend.....🙏🏼 https://t.co/AvDOSn7oQX
“The Voice of Golf.” Class of 2012 World Golf Hall of Fame Inductee. Golf legend. Rest in peace, Peter Alliss. You are going to be missed. pic.twitter.com/BvSAKooQHc
— Golf Hall of Fame (@GolfHallofFame) December 6, 2020
Everyone at the LET is extremely sad to hear the news of the passing of golfing legend & ‘Voice of Golf’ Peter Alliss.
— Ladies European Tour (@LETgolf) December 6, 2020
Our thoughts are with his family. https://t.co/dANwqTa4aw
Deeply saddened by the passing of a dear friend in #PeterAlliss. I shall treasure the memories of all the fun times in the commentary box & around the dinner table. Peter was an absolute master of his craft and utterly irreplaceable. Linda and I send love to Jackie & the family.
— Dougie Donnelly (@dougiedonnelly) December 6, 2020
Very sad to hear about Peter Alliss! The Open won’t be the same without his iconic voice and wit!
— Paul Dunne (@dunners11) December 6, 2020
— Thomas Detry (@tomdetry) December 6, 2020
