Crieff’s links to legendary ‘Voice of Golf’ Peter Alliss
Former Herald owner David’s fond memories of commentator
He was affectionately known as the ‘Voice of Golf’ thanks to a long and successful career commentating on the sport he loved.
And warm tributes continue to be paid to the late Peter Alliss, who passed away earlier this month at home in Surrey at the age of 89.
Alliss became the BBC’s lead golf commentator in 1978 after a 28-year career as a professional and was hailed by fans as the greatest broadcaster of his generation for his deadpan style and humour.
This longevity on the course and in the commentary box saw him forge lasting relationships throughout the country, including in Strathearn.
Well-known Crieff man David Philips – a former Strathearn Herald owner, editor and veteran of the broadcasting industry – fondly recalled working at close quarters with a legend of the sport.
He said: “Peter was a very special
human being and fitted to his beloved sport on and off the course like a hand in a golf glove.
“I had the pleasure, honour and privilege to work alongside him at BBC Graphics for over three decades, starting in 1985 when Sandy Lyle won The Open at Royal St George’s.
“Peter’s flair for language was obvious and many will remember the line ‘what a lot of fuss over a little thing like that’, delivered with perfect timing, when a streaker interrupted play momentarily by running over a green on air.”
Time spent together at many tournaments at home at abroad will live long in the memory – including Majors, Ryder Cups and World Matchplay and PGA Championships at Wentworth – as will some of the sport’s most iconic moments.
David continued: “We covered The Open at every venue in the UK several times.
“In 1999 at Carnoustie, Jean van de Velde led until the 18th but dumped his second shot into the Barry Burn near the green and took his shoes off.
“Peter famously said: ‘He’s gone gaga ... to think he can play it from there!’ I had ‘spotted’ for Jean’s match all the way around and could hear Peter’s commentary on talkback.”
Closer to home, David continued: “Peter regularly took the opportunity to mention Crieff Golf Club on air.
“I invited him to visit Ferntower several times and hosted him at the club on a couple of occasions, once to the old clubhouse in the 1980s when, during an event at Gleneagles, he came over with colleagues Bruce Critchley and Hazel Irvine. More recently, he visited while staying in Crieff during solo appearances to capacity audiences at Perth Concert Hall.
“Jackie, his wife, had worries at his travelling around Britain doing the appearances in his mid- eighties so it was no problem for his great pal John Shrewsbury – a former BBC Golf producer and director – to share the driving with him.
“I arranged accommodation for the two of them in Crieff and hosted them at my home in Comrie Street and on the course at Ferntower – where they met [Crieff professional] David Murchie and captain at the time, Jim Harley, who played a round of golf with John while I drove Peter around in a buggy.”
Away from the course Alliss performed best man duties at the wedding of colleague Alastair Scott – a life-long friend of David and his wife Margaret – who is an announcer on the European Tour, which paid its own respects recently by inviting players and caddies to wear black ribbons in the star’s memory.