Peter Alliss, the former BBC commentator known as ‘the voice of golf’, has died at the age of 89, the European Tour has announced.
Alliss, who won more than 20 tournaments during his career and played on eight Ryder Cup teams, died on Saturday evening at his home in Surrey.
A statement on behalf of the Alliss family read: ‘It’s with great sadness that we announce the passing of golfing and broadcast legend Peter Alliss. Peter’s death was unexpected but peaceful. Peter was a devoted husband, father and grandfather and his family ask for privacy at this difficult time.
Former BBC commentator Peter Alliss, known as ‘The Voice of Golf’, has died at the age of 89
![Alliss commentated on last month's Masters tournament for the BBC, won by Dustin Johnson](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/12/06/11/36507596-9023181-image-m-25_1607255145343.jpg)
Alliss commentated on last month’s Masters tournament for the BBC, won by Dustin Johnson
‘Having enjoyed great success as a player, Peter began his legendary broadcasting career with the BBC in 1961, going on to become our lead golf commentator in 1978.
‘His knowledge and love of the game, along with his exceptional ability to tell stories, cemented him as one of the best in the business, and he became known as simply ‘The Voice of Golf’.
‘His inimitable tone, humour and command of the microphone will be sorely missed, his often legendary commentaries will be long remembered.’
![Alliss became a professional golfer at 16, two years after he quit school to work for his father](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/12/06/11/36507582-9023181-Alliss_became_a_professional_golfer_at_16_two_years_after_he_qui-m-28_1607255304744.jpg)
Alliss became a professional golfer at 16, two years after he quit school to work for his father
![Alliss was an accomplished player himself and appeared on eight Ryder Cup teams for Europe](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/12/06/11/36507584-9023181-image-m-29_1607255319703.jpg)
Alliss was an accomplished player himself and appeared on eight Ryder Cup teams for Europe
Born in Berlin on February 28, 1931, where his father Percy worked as a club pro, Alliss followed in his father’s footsteps and quit school at 14 to work for him at Ferndown Golf Club in Dorset, before turning professional himself two years later.
After his career was largely put on hold by two years of National Service in the RAF from 1949 to 1951, Alliss soon began to make a name for himself and finished ninth in the 1953 Open, one of five top-10 finishes in the event.
His move into broadcasting came about after he was overheard by the BBC’s Ray Lakeland talking to a friend on a flight back from a tournament in Ireland in 1960.
![Alliss moved into broadcasting after BBC's Ray Lakeland heard him talk on an aeroplane](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/12/06/11/36507768-9023181-image-a-30_1607255363896.jpg)
Alliss moved into broadcasting after BBC’s Ray Lakeland heard him talk on an aeroplane
Alliss combined commentary stints at the following year’s Open Championship at Royal Birkdale with finishing eighth behind Arnold Palmer, helping to raise his profile to such an extent he was chosen to give Sean Connery golf lessons before the actor played James Bond in the 1964 film ‘Goldfinger’.
The father of six children was expected to retire after the Ryder Cup in September 2021.
Director of BBC Sport Barbara Slater said: ‘Peter was the voice of golf. He was an absolute master of his craft with a unique ability to capture a moment with a magical turn of phrase that no one else could match.
![Alliss (centre) received the Michael Williams Outstanding Services to Golf award in 2008](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/12/06/11/36507654-9023181-image-a-33_1607255515846.jpg)
Alliss (centre) received the Michael Williams Outstanding Services to Golf award in 2008
![Alliss gave James Bond actor Sean Connery golf lessons before he filmed Goldfinger in 1964](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/12/06/11/36507594-9023181-image-a-31_1607255411926.jpg)
Alliss gave James Bond actor Sean Connery golf lessons before he filmed Goldfinger in 1964
‘Following a highly distinguished playing career, his broadcasting career spanned an extraordinary 60 years. Just last month, at the incredible age of 89, he was doing what he loved – commentating for the BBC on the Masters Golf.
‘He transcended his sport as one of the greatest broadcasters of his generation. He will be terribly missed and our thoughts are with his family, friends and colleagues at this very sad time.’
European Tour chief executive Keith Pelley added: ‘We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Peter Alliss, truly one of golf’s greats.
‘Peter made an indelible mark on everything he did in our game, but especially as a player and a broadcaster, and he leaves a remarkable legacy. Our thoughts are with his wife Jackie and the Alliss family.’
Alliss has caused several controversies in recent years with several comments about women.
In 2014, Alliss stated women who wanted to join the Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers had ‘better get married to somebody who’s a member’.
In 2015, with Zach Johnson bidding to become Open champion at St Andrews and the camera focused on his wife, Alliss said: ‘She is probably thinking ‘If this goes in, I get a new kitchen’.’
In 2016, he suggested attempts for equality between men and women in golf ’caused mayhem.’
In 2017, Alliss made an off-the-air comment about Sergio Garcia’s fiancee Angela Akins, saying: ‘She’s got the shortest skirt on campus’.
Also that year Alliss said women were ‘more delicate’ than men and bemoaned the increase in what he called ‘macho women’.