ALLISS in wonderland
Open legend Peter recalls playing in Portrush ’51 after National Service stint
WITH mobile phone coverage a mystery in certain pockets of the Surrey Hills, Peter Alliss takes to the garden terrace to be heard. His voice is deep, distinctive and blessed with a wonderful clarity of diction. ‘Let’s crack on,’ he says with a hint of National Service brusqueness.
It is early in the morning and, in his 89th year, Alliss is entitled to be eased into the day, rather than frog-marched across the square.
Soon, he is at his rollicking and ribald best, reflecting on a life immersed in golf and an association with the Open Championship which stretches more than 70 years, as player and commentator.
Alliss will be at Portrush this week for the return of The Open after a 68-year absence.
Not too many who played in 1951 are still with us, never mind working, but Alliss will be behind the microphone for the BBC, observing the unfolding theatre, of player and spectator both, in his unique style.
And he believes this Open could be something out of the ordinary.
‘If the weather is kind, and it’s easy to get in and out of Portrush, and people are happy with their accommodation, and Rory McIlroy, or another home golfer wins, it will be the greatest championship ever played,’ he said.
‘I think the course has improved, the two new holes are great assets and the crowds will come.
‘If it’s p ***** g down and blowing a gale; if there are traffic jams and people get cross, or the air-con’s not working in the hotels, then that’s no good. If it all works, fantastic.’
Alliss has a soft spot for Portrush from his first visit as a strapping 20-year-old.
‘I came over to Portrush with my brother (Alec). I had just finished my National Service and it was a great adventure to travel to The Open,’ he said. ‘The weather was gloomy but it was great to be by the sea and I recall the excellent coverage in the Irish newspapers, which I’ve always enjoyed reading. ‘I started off with a 69. Then Alec and I went to a little dance hall in Portrush, where we met a couple of lovely ladies.’ And then? ‘Doreen was her name, she was on holiday from Harpenden. We danced the night away and I took 84 or something the next day. It was worth it,’ he said impishly.
Alliss loves The Open and can boast, although that’s not his way, of having played with every winner since the Second World War.
One of them was Fred Daly, son of a blacksmith from Causeway Street in Portrush, who won at Hoylake in 1947 — the year Alliss played in The Open for the first time. He said: ‘I was 16 and didn’t qualify.
‘I remember my father Percy was drawn with George Duncan, who won the title in 1920.
‘There were off first. They went around in two hours and 10 minutes; the old man did 72 and Duncan did 75.
‘I remember that and watching Fred. He whistled his way around the course. He had a pair of grey flannel trousers, shirt sleeves rolled up and old hickory-shafted clubs. It was great excitement.’
Tiger Woods has won three Open Championships and will rival McIlroy for the biggest galleries this week. After his Masters success in April, Woods is up to 15 majors. Can he inch towards Nicklaus on 18? Alliss said: ‘He might do. He’s not getting any younger. He won the Masters this year but he was helped.
‘A 71 for him in the final round wasn’t blistering and a couple of other chaps (Brooks Koepka, Francesco Molinari) made mistakes and gave it to him.
‘He might win but I think, as years go by, it’s more unlikely.’
There is immense focus on McIlroy as he seeks to end a fiveyear drought in the majors on a links where he once shot 61 as a teenager.
Alliss said: ‘It’s not getting any easier. If, God forbid, he gave up now he’d still have a very good career. I enjoy watching him play and he’s handled fame brilliantly.’
Doreen was her name. We danced the night away and I hit 84 the next day