Is Peter Alliss the greatest golf commentator ever?

Peter Alliss, who sadly passed away in December at the age of 89, was the voice of golf for more than half a century

- Fergus Bisset

For most reading this, certainly for the author, Peter Alliss delivered the soundtrack for the tournaments that fostered and bolstered our interest in golf. The Duel in the Sun, Seve pumping his fist at St Andrews, Faldo lofting his arms at Augusta, Tiger’s early roars: for British golf fans, the honeyed tones of Peter Alliss provided the narration.

Alliss was the last of a great cohort of commentators whose voices personified sport on the BBC in the late 20th century. Just as we had Bill McLaren at Murrayfield, Dan Maskell at Wimbledon and Peter O’Sullevan at Aintree, we had Peter Alliss at St Andrews. He described golf in a uniquely characterful fashion that lifted the action and drew out smiles in sitting rooms across the country. The game will not be quite the same without him.

Before picking up the mic in the BBC booth, Alliss had followed in his father Percy’s footsteps, becoming a professional golfer. In a playing career spanning four decades, Peter won 31 tournaments and was twice winner of the Harry Vardon Trophy for leading the Order of Merit. He finished in the top ten at The Open Championship on four occasions.

In eight appearances at the Ryder Cup, Alliss won ten matches, including victories over Arnold Palmer (two of them), Billy Casper and Ken Venturi. One of his regrets was never captaining a Ryder Cup side. Most agreed it was a task he would have completed with aplomb.