Thought for the Day
Support bacteria. They’re the only culture some people have
Off target Alliss can still hit the mark
I have never tried to hide my view that Peter Alliss passed his best a few years ago but that does not diminish the affection I hold for the man for his superb career as a broadcaster. The reasons why I think he should call it a day are fourfold. First is simply that he is of a time and generation that has passed. It’s no longer appropriate to be told that ‘Good old Charley Huxtable (or whoever) from the splendid Froggat Hills Golf club is celebrating being 90 years young.’ The BBC’s golf coverage is a national service, not some parochial, regional broadcast that sounds like a parish magazine.
Second, I think he has become increasingly out of touch with today’s generation of pro golfers. Ewen Murray, to offer just one example, obviously spends time on the practice ground (‘obviously’ because I have seen him there) and knows a great deal about both the established stars and the young hopefuls striving to replace them at the top of the golfing tree.
Third, Peter makes the kind of verbal gaffes that are no longer acceptable. I am not suggesting that I agree with every aspect of political correctness or that I always know which lines can and cannot be crossed but a commentator on national TV should at least know where the line is, and Peter doesn’t. In April this year he provoked the inevitable storm in a tea cup when asked about the decision of the R&A to finally admit women members and said: ‘Equality legislation had ‘buggered up the game’. His point was a valid one – many women preferred paying lower membership fees for restricted access to the course because they chose to play only on weekdays. But his comments were reported, as he should have realised they would be, as an attack on equality.
Three months later, while Zack Johnson was about to hit the putt that would win him The Open the camera panned to his wife and Peter once again outraged the feminist movement by saying: ‘She is probably thinking: “If this goes in I get a new kitchen.”’
I fully accept that in both cases (and on many previous occasions) the subsequent media furore was concocted so that people who wanted to be offended could be, in a way that was completely disproportionate to the remarks themselves. But that is the goldfish bowl in which Peter chooses to swim and he should be experienced enough to recognise the dangers.
Finally, his grasp of the Rules of Golf are not as they should be. This in itself is not a major problem because he could simply refrain from offering an opinion but, as in so many things, he is incapable of biting his tongue and lets the words out before his brain has had a chance to properly filter them. This is why I believe, although I have no evidence to support this view, the R&A offers the services of one of its Rules officials to sit in the commentary booth during The Open, to clarify any rulings or disputes. Ian Pattinson, he with the voice that sounds like warm treacle being poured over molasses, is an excellent addition to the broadcasts but I don’t believe that his services would be needed if the lead commentator was better informed.
Having said all that, Peter has for many decades, never mind years, provided the often perfect backdrop to whatever might be happening on screen and it will be an occasion of genuine sadness when he hangs up his microphone – presumably at the end of next year’s Open Championship.
And he is still capable of the perfect one-liner. At this year’s Rico Women’s British Open he commented on Donald Trump with the words: ‘When that man gets a bit of confidence he’ll go a long way.’
Fanning the flames
The US PGA was undoubtedly the best major of the season but what may not have been too evident to TV viewers is that the ugly and unacceptable face of partisanship reared its head again. Because Jordan Spieth is such a popular golfer he naturally had the bulk of support at Whistling Straits, but for some spectators (it is difficult to call them fans), this meant they could shout ‘Choke!’ at Jason Day. The Australian winner, in a remarkable under-statement, said: ‘Some people weren’t very friendly.’
This kind of unacceptable devotion to one participant, resulting in audible abuse of his rival, is not an entirely American phenomenon but, like the asinine screams of ‘Get in the hole!’ or ‘You’re the man!’ do seem louder and more noticeable at American events.
And finally…
It has been widely (and understandably) reported that Jordan Spieth is a cumulative 54-under par for the season’s four majors, beating by a stroke the record that Tiger Woods established when he was at his magnificent best in 2000. Less well known is the fact that Justin Rose is fourth in the all-time list of aggregate score under, shooting 34 below par in the grand slam events. He was tied second in the Masters (14-under); tied 27th at the US Open (five over); tied sixth at The Open (11-under); and third at the US PGA (14-under). All that and no trophy to show.
Quote of the Week
If profanity had an influence on the flight of the ball, the game of golf would be played far better than it is
Horace Hutchinson