- Peter Alliss
Peter Alliss (born
28 February 1931 ) is an English golfer, BBC television presenter and commentator, author andgolf course designer . Alliss is known for his charismatic and unique style of commentary often displaying a witty demeanour. He is regarded by many as the "Voice of Golf" along with long term commentating partnerAlex Hay . [cite news|title=BBC at the Open|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/golf/3051800.stm|publisher=BBC | date =July 11 ,2008 |accessdate = 2008-07-20 ]Biography
His father Percy was a professional golfer who won several tournaments on the European golf circuit in the 1920s and 1930s, and Peter was born in
Berlin while his father was employed as a club professional there.Alliss quit school at the age of 14 (then the minimum school leaving age in the UK) and began his career as a professional golfer in 1947, at the age of 16. In his 27 years of playing, he won three
British PGA Championship s, was semi-finalist in theBritish PGA Matchplay Championship , played in eightRyder Cup teams, and played on ten teams representing England in the World Cup. He had five top-ten finishes in theOpen Championship , coming closest in 1954 atRoyal Birkdale when he finished just four shots behind Peter Thomson. Percy and Peter Allis were the first father and son to both participate in the Ryder Cup (Antonio Garrido and his son Ignacio later became the second). He won 23 tournaments, and gaveSean Connery golf tips before he filmed "Goldfinger". His competitive career was almost over by the time theEuropean Tour was formally established in 1972, but he played in some events in the Tour's early years, making his last appearance on the tour in 1975.Alliss was the Captain of
The Professional Golfers' Association twice, the president of the British Greenkeepers` Association, and was the first president of the European Women's Professional Golfers' Association. He has worked as a commentator for theBBC , ABC, theAustralian Broadcasting Corporation , and theCanadian Broadcasting Corporation . In Britain he is probably the best known golf broadcaster. He has hosted a total of 140 "Pro Celebrity Golf" TV programmes, was the host of "Around with Allis", and is currently starring in "A Golfer's Travels", which is airing worldwide. He has written twenty books, the last of which was "Golf Heroes", as well as articles in "Golf International" and "Golf World Magazine".Allis is also involved in golf course architecture. His first course design partner was David Thomas, with whom he created over 50 courses, including
The Belfry , which is now the home of theProfessional Golfers' Association and has staged the Ryder Cup several times. He then joined forces with Clive Clark and added another 22 courses to his portfolio(Old Thorns Golf Course in Hampshire).In July 2005, he was honoured by the
University of St Andrews , shortly before The Open Golf Championship, with the honorary degree ofDoctor of Laws . Alliss's distinctive voice has featured on numerous golfingvideo game s notably theActua Golf series.Tournament wins
"this list is incomplete"
*1954Daks Tournament
*1956Spanish Open
*1957British PGA Championship
*1958 Italian Open,Spanish Open ,Portuguese Open
*1962British PGA Championship
*1963Daks Tournament (tie withNeil Coles )
*1964Esso Golden Tournament ,Swallow-Penfold Tournament
*1965British PGA Championship
*1966Martini International (tie withW. Large )
*1967Agfa-Gavaert Tournament
*1969Piccadilly Medal References
External links
* [http://www.peteralliss.co.uk Home page]
* [http://www.abcmedianet.com/shows05/sports/commentators/allis.shtml Profile from ABC Sports]
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