Gary Alliss has accepted the position of patron to England and Wales Blind Golf. The 67-year-old PGA Professional takes over the position from his late father, the legendary broadcaster and Ryder Cup player, Peter.
Alliss is a regular voice on Sky Sports, covering the PGA EuroPro Tour, the world’s largest and most broadcast development tour with whom EWBG has just agreed a partnership agreement that will see blind and visually impaired golfers joining pro-ams held throughout the country prior to tournaments.
Barry Ritchie, chairman of EWBG said: “Following the death of our long-standing patron and supporter Peter Alliss, it is fantastic news for the charity to welcome his son Gary as our Patron. It is an honour for the charity to be able to continue our relationship with the Alliss family.”
When asked how he felt taking over from his late father, who became patron in 1991, joining Harry Carpenter, Jimmy Greaves and Nick Faldo, Gary said: “I have been around a long time and if I had a pound for every time someone had asked me about my father I would be a very wealthy man. Actually, you know, not even a pound. Make that a penny!”
“I am looking forward to getting involved with some coaching clinics with blind golfers, especially those being invited to the EuroPro Tour pro-ams, and I can hopefully get a few of the players involved teaching too.”
Names like Tommy Fleetwood, Tyrell Hatton and Nicolas Colsaerts have all progressed this way and Alliss is certain that EWBG will benefit from the experience, as well as raising the association’s drive for new members and guides.