Peter Alliss, who played in eight Ryder Cups between 1953 and 1969 and won 18 professional titles in an illustrious playing career before becoming one of the most respected television commentators with the BBC, has been accorded Honorary Life Membership of The European Tour.
Alliss, 72, received the Tour's Silver Membership Card from Ken Schofield, Executive Director of The European Tour, at Wentworth Club during the Volvo PGA Championship - a title he won three times in his career.
Universally recognisable as the velvet voice behind the microphone in the BBC's commentary team, Alliss was twice captain of the Professional Golfers Association in 1962 and 1987 and earlier this year he received Life Membership of the PGA.
Schofield paid tribute to Alliss's huge talent, both as a professional golfer and as a skilled, engaging and incisive commentator for the BBC and ABC in America. He said: "We are honouring Peter's lifetime achievement in all aspects of golf. Incredibly, in October this year, it will be half a century since Peter made his Ryder Cup debut here at Wentworth Club.
"After a superb playing career he then took his skills to the widest possible audience as one of the foremost sports commentators in history. It is wonderful for someone to have two such enormously successful careers and it is as happy day for our Tour to be able to recognise his achievements in both spheres. The name of Peter Alliss will always be known both as a great champion and a gifted broadcaster."
Alliss commented: "It is a great honour to receive Honorary Life Membership of The European Tour. For once I am at a loss for words! It is difficult to express adequately how I feel and this came as a great surprise.
"However it is something I will cherish and I know my family will treasure it as well, especially my sons involved in the game - Simon, who has begun to work at the Tour and Gary, who is professional at Trevose - and my grandson, Craig, who is a keen player. Thank you for the honour you do me and the kindness you've shown me."
