Alliss receives PGA award

Peter Alliss notched up another achievement in his illustrious career yesterday (Friday, December 17) when he received the PGA Recognition Award at The Professional Golfers’ Association’s annual fundraising lunch.

The legendary golfer and broadcaster, who has been a long-standing PGA member, as Ryder Cup player, course designer, author and commentator, collected the award in London when Sir Terry Wogan was also honoured, receiving a special PGA award celebrating his contribution to television and radio.

Alliss began his career alongside his father Percy as an unpaid assistant at Ferndown Golf Club, blossomed as a player and between 1954 and 1969 won 21 professional tournaments including three PGA Championships.

He was also twice won the Vardon Trophy as the top money earner on Tour and in September 1958, he won the national championships of Italy, Spain, and Portugal in three consecutive weeks. He claim eight Ryder Cup appearances to become one of only two father-and-son duos to have represented at this level (the Garridos were the others).

Alliss twice captained the PGA – in 1962 and 1987 – and his son Gary is a PGA Master Professional and his grandson Craig also a PGA pro.

“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 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 over 100 feet 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.