Peter Alliss’s illustrious career was acknowledged today (Friday, December 17) when he received the PGA Recognition Award at The Professional Golfers’ Association’s annual fundraising lunch.
The legendary golfer and BBC commentator, who has been a longstanding PGA member during which time he has scaled the heights as a player, course designer and broadcaster, collected the award at the Grosvenor House Hotel, London.
Also honoured was his great friend, Sir Terry Wogan who was presented with a special PGA award celebrating his contribution to the world of television and radio.
Alliss who began his career alongside his father Percy as an unpaid assistant at Ferndown Golf Club, quickly blossomed as a player and between 1954 and 1969 won 21 professional tournaments including three PGA Championships.
He was also a two-time winner of the Vardon Trophy and in September 1958, he won the national championships of Italy, Spain, and Portugal in three consecutive weeks. In addition he made eight Ryder Cup appearances and is one of only two father-and-son duos to have represented their country at this level.
Alliss twice captained the PGA – in 1962 and 1987 – and golf is still going strong in the family with his son Gary a PGA Master Professional and his grandson Craig also a PGA professional.
“Peter is one of the best loved people in golf who has excelled in several areas of the game from playing through to course design and most famously as the voice of golf on television,” said PGA Chief Executive Sandy Jones.
“As a broadcaster particularly, he has done a tremendous amount to generate interest and awareness in the sport and his passion and enthusiasm remains undimmed.
“He comes from a family steeped in the traditions of golf and it is a great honour for the Association to be able to bestow this award on Peter to reflect his outstanding contribution to the game stretching back more than 50 years.”
Jones also paid tribute to Sir Terry Wogan who is a keen golfer and famously holed one of the longest ever televised putts of 33 yards at Gleneagles in 1981.
“Sir Terry Wogan is one of our most popular TV and radio personalities and we’re delighted that he will be a guest of honour at the PGA lunch which will raise valuable funds for the PGA Benevolent Fund,” he added.
In addition to raising money for the PGA Benevolent Fund a special cheque presentation of £34,000 was made to the Golf Foundation by PGA captain Jim Farmer on behalf of the Association.
