Peter Alliss Remembered For Wit, Long Career On BBC

Longtime British golf announcer Peter Alliss has died at the age of 89 after he spent "more than 50 years in the broadcast booth for BBC." Alliss' "inimitable style" earned him the title of "The Voice of Golf" in the U.K. (GOLF WEEK, 12/6). Alliss had been on commentary duties for the Masters just last month. His broadcasting career began at the '61 Open, and he became the BBC's lead golf commentator 17 years later. Alliss was voted into the World Golf HOF in '12 (London GUARDIAN, 12/6). 

Below are some thoughts on Alliss from around the golf world:

• The London Telegraph Oliver Brown wrote Alliss "endeared himself to viewers through his fascination with golf’s absurdities and esoteric charms, inclined to dwell less on changes to the leaderboard than on the range of whiskies at the local clubhouse."

• The BBC's Andrew Cotter: "One of the very best broadcasters, and not just in sport." Allis had "razor-sharp wit and he made it fun."

• Golf.com's Michael Bamberger: "There was really very little difference between Alliss as an after-dinner speaker and as a 'golf presenter' on TV."

• Golf Digest's John Huggan: "That ability to verbalize what many others think but never say was perhaps Alliss’ biggest skill during his career as a commentator."

• The AP's Steve Douglas: "With his deep and soothing voice, warm humor and passion for golf, Alliss may have been more renowned as a commentator than a player."