Peter Alliss

An English professional golfer who won 3 British PGA Championships and 8 Ryder Cup caps, later becoming the BBC's iconic lead golf commentator for over 40 years.

Born on 28 February 1931, Peter Alliss was the son of Percy Alliss, a leading golfer of the 1920s and 1930s who played on four Ryder Cup teams. Peter turned professional at just 16 in 1947, working as an assistant to his father at Ferndown Golf Club, and following national service in the Royal Air Force established himself as one of England's top professionals through the 1950s. Alliss represented Great Britain and Ireland in eight Ryder Cup matches between 1953 and 1969, including the famous 1957 victory at Lindrick, and was the leading British golfer for two seasons. He won three national opens in a single year in 1958, taking the Italian, Spanish and Portuguese titles, and later claimed the Harry Vardon Trophy for the tour's lowest scoring average in 1964 and 1966. Alliss made his broadcasting debut in 1961, covering the Open Championship at Royal Birkdale for the BBC while still competing as a player, tying for eighth that year. After retiring from competitive golf in 1975, he became the BBC's lead golf commentator in 1978, succeeding Henry Longhurst, a role he held for more than four decades and which earned him the affectionate title 'the Voice of Golf'. Renowned for his deep, soothing voice, dry wit and encyclopaedic knowledge of the game, Alliss also commentated for ESPN, ABC Sports and broadcasters in Australia and Canada, becoming one of the most recognisable and beloved figures in golf media worldwide. He was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2012 for his services to the sport, and died on 5 December 2020 at age 89.

Consistent, technically sound all-round player

Regarded as one of the greatest golf broadcasters in history, in addition to a successful playing career

• 3x British PGA Championship 1957, 1962, 1965
• 8 Ryder Cup appearances 1953-1969
• World Golf Hall of Fame 2012 (Lifetime Achievement)