Peter Alliss was golf’s Mr Marmite – loved and loathed despite his place as an undoubted icon of the game he adored

PETER ALLISS was the BBC’s Voice of Golf for almost 60 years, working until a few weeks before his death at the age of 89.

His dry wit and peerless knowledge of the game were still on show as he commentated on Dustin Johnson’s Masters triumph last month.

Few would argue with his own summing up of his role when he said: “I’m there as an old player, a lover of the game and a good weaver of stories.”

But he was also golf’s Mr Marmite, loved and loathed despite being an undoubted icon of the sport he adored.

For the millions of golf fans who revered him for his insight and humour, there were also plenty who could not stand his dismissive attitude towards women.

The BBC had to apologise for his “sexist” attitude after his comments when the cameras were focussed on 2015 Open champion Zach Johnson’s wife at St Andrews.

As her husband stood over his winning putt, Alliss said: “She is probably thinking ‘if this goes in I get a new kitchen’.”

The BBC admitted the remark was “inappropriate”, a description also used when he claimed allowing women to become members of men-only clubs had “caused mayhem”.

But there was no denying his flair behind the microphone, first displayed as a guest commentator at the 1961 Open, where he was also playing, eventually finishing joint eighth behind Arnold Palmer.

His commentaries were littered with whimsical charm. He reckoned the best thing about rain in Scotland was that “most of it ends up as scotch”.

And he summed up the ankle deep rough at the 2003 Open at Royal St George’s perfectly, saying: “Looks a bit like Jurassic Park in there.”

His attitude towards Jean van de Velde — when the Frenchman took off his shoes and socks and waded into the Barry Burn at the 1999 Open — did not
receive such approval.

Alliss said: “What on earth are you doing? He’s gone ga-ga.

“To attempt to hit the ball out of there is pure madness.”

Some felt that was curmudgeonly, but it undoubtedly added to the drama.

That eighth place Open finish was as close as Alliss got to claiming a Major, although he did make the top ten four other times.

In total he won 31 tournaments, including 20 European Tour events.

That included three British PGA Championships and twice winning the Harry Vardon award, given to Europe’s top player.

He also played in eight Ryder Cups for Great Britain and Ireland, following in the footsteps of his dad Percy.

Despite his success Alliss admitted he was not a great putter. His car even carried the number plate ‘3 PUT’!

He took over from his friend and idol Henry Longhurst as the BBC’s main golf commentator in 1978.

He was chosen to give Sean Connery golf lessons for the James Bond film Goldfinger and played with celebrity partners in his TV series ‘A round with Alliss’.

Alliss was also a fine golf course architect. His designs with Dave Thomas included the Belfry, which has hosted four Ryder Cups.

He was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2012 in the lifetime achievement category. His was quite a life in golf.

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