Famed golfer and broadcaster Peter Alliss has received leading golf charity the Golf Foundation’s ‘Spirit of Golf’ Award.
Peter Alliss was presented with the award by Golf Foundation President Colin Montgomerie on Tuesday (17 July), during a highly cheerful ceremony at the R&A Swingzone, in the tented village at Royal Lytham & St Annes, on the eve of The Open Championship.
The much-loved broadcaster and former Ryder Cup player clearly enjoyed sharing the stage with boys and girls from Astley St Stephen’s CE School,Manchester. The Golf Foundation is a charity that seeks to change the lives of children and young people through golf, and is showcasing its HSBC Golf Roots programme throughout Open Championship week courtesy of one of its strongest supporters, The R&A.
Peter Alliss becomes the sixth golfer to receive the Spirit of Golf Award, following Gary Player (2007), Tony Jacklin (2008), Lee Westwood (2009), Ian Poulter (2010) and Ernie Els (2011).
Alliss was chosen to receive the award not only in recognition of the way he has made the sport entertaining in the eyes of young people, but also for the support he has given to junior golf and his commitment to the Golf Foundation over many years.
Colin Montgomerie presented the special silver and glass ‘claret jug’ trophy to Peter in front of a packed audience of golf fans at Royal Lytham. The crowd clapped and cheered when Colin volunteered to compete against the children in two games of Tri-Golf challenges, while Peter took the microphone and looked after the commentary in his own inimitable style. The result was one match apiece so both youngsters and Monty were satisfied.
Montgomerie praised Peter Alliss for his brilliance as a commentator and as “an inspiration to young golfers who watch The Open each year”. Golf Foundation Chairman Charles Harrison said: “It is a privilege to present this award to Peter, for encouraging so many watching golfers and bringing a great sense of fun and excitement through all his commentaries at major golf events.”
Peter Alliss then happily answered prepared questions from the youngsters before saying: “Hopefully, these young children and all the others who attend The Open this year will enjoy playing golf, and of course the Golf Foundation team works very hard to make this all happen. It’s a great honour to receive this award and to play a small part in encouraging new players to the game.”
The Golf Foundation is a highly progressive development organisation which is increasing golf participation in schools and creating stronger links between schools and golf clubs and driving ranges in support of the national bodies forEngland,ScotlandandWales.
The Golf Foundation is expecting to reach one million children per year in 2013 through its national programme, HSBC Golf Roots. HSBC Golf Roots is supported by The R&A, The European Tour, the Professional Golfers’ Association, the Ryder Cup Committee and Trust, the British Golf Industry Association’s ‘Grow Golf’ Fund, Sport England and headline sponsor HSBC.
HSBC Golf Roots Ambassadors include Lee Westwood, Olympic gold medal winner Denise Lewis, Ken Brown and Alison Nicholas.
The prestigious Spirit of Golf trophy was designed and made for the Golf Foundation, and kindly donated by Derek Burridge.
Golf Foundation www.golf-foundation.org
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Peter Alliss with the Golf Foundation’s ‘Spirit of Golf’ flanked by the Foundation’s Chairman, Charles Harrison, and President, Colin Montgomerie