Peter Alliss, the universally revered Ryder Cup player who has become widely known as the Voice of Golf, is the first recipient of the new annual ‘Golf Europe Legend‘ award, launched at the start of the 6 day Munich GOLFEST.
Manfred Wutzlhofer, president and CEO of Messe Munchen, made the presentation in conjunction with the PGA of Europe and the European Golf Industry Association (EGIA) citing the inaugural winner as ‘an individual whose contribution to the sport has been truly unique and incalculable‘. Over 900 golf professionals from 29 countries were present to witness the ceremony.
Germany was an ideal location for Alliss to be lauded in this way – he was born in Berlin in 1931, the son of the famous British golf pro, Percy Alliss. Peter represented Great Britain and Ireland eight times in the Ryder Cup and England ten times in the World Cup.
He won championships in Britain, Spain, Italy, Portugal and Brazil and twenty other tournaments in Europe, yet it was to be in the world of the media, as a writer broadcaster and television commentator that he has become even better-known.
He has also carved out a separate career as a golf course designer of distinction; he has been Captain of the PGA twice, was the first President of the European Women’s PGA and is a past President of the British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association.
But it is as the voice behind the TV pictures from virtually every major championship in recent times with a mixture of fact, analysis, colour, humour and, sometimes, a sense of the ridiculous that Peter Alliss has become a ‘Golf Europe Legend‘.
In future years Messe Munchen, in conjunction with the PGA of Europe, representing the professionals, and the EGIA, on behalf of all sections of the golf industry, will select an individual whose contribution has been truly unique and incalculable. The Golf Europe Legend award will be presented personally, at the trade exhibition, to the world-renowned individual selected for the honour, someone who:
- constantly enhances the well-being of the sport
- inspires only positive images
- appeals to all sections of golf
- attracts newcomers to participate
- increases the game’s following either live or on TV
- by their efforts have prompted many thousands to take lessons and purchase equipment
- is held in the highest possible affection and esteem by the public, both golfers and non-golfers alike.
The sponsors of the award are profoundly conscious that such a demanding set of standards substantially restricts the number of possible recipients. Those chosen will be, beyond dispute, legends in their own lifetime.
Golf Europe www.golf-europe.com
PGA of Europe www.pgae.com