While golf fans in the United States have been spoiled over the years by having three of the game’s major championships played in America, lovers of the game in the United Kingdom have had something else to brag about: Peter Alliss’ insightful, humorous and beautifully intoned commentary on the British Broadcast Corporation (BBC).
Alliss, who was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2012, has died at age 89, according to a statement from his family on Sunday.
“Peter was a devoted husband, father and grandfather and his family ask for privacy at this difficult time,” the family wrote, according to the BBC.
Alliss was born in 1930 in Berlin, Germany, where his father, Percy, was a golf professional. At birth, he weighed 14 lbs 11 oz., making him reportedly the largest baby born in Europe. Allis and his family moved to England in 1932.
Before he became a commentator, Allis was an accomplished player, becoming a professional in 1947. He won 31 times and played on eight Ryder Cup teams between 1953 and 1969, when the competition was between the best players from United States and Great Britain, compiling a record of 10-15-5. While he never played in the U.S. Open or the PGA Championship, he played in two Masters Tournaments and 24 British Opens, finishing in the top 10 five times (1953, 1954, 1961, 1962 and 1969).
Alliss worked as a commentator for the first time in 1961, but started working full time with the BBC after retiring from professional golf in 1978.
Watching Jean Van de Velde prepare to play his third shot on the 72nd hole of the 1999 British Open at Carnoustie, Alliss said, “His golfing brain stopped about 10 minutes ago, I think.” The Frenchman’s ball famously went into the burn in front of the green and when he started taking his shoes off to attempt to play the shot, Alliss, bewildered said, “Oh no, what on Earth are you doing? No, Jean, please. Will somebody kindly go and stop him?”
When he was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame, Alliss gave a funny and moving acceptance speech that you can see below.
