Legendary BBC presenter and commentator Peter Alliss has joined a chorus to slam the decision of the R & A to dump a free-to-air coverage by selling off TV rights of golf’s oldest Major to SKY Sports.
Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live, the 83-year-old said: “It saddens me.
“I know they (the R&A) do lots of lovely, lovely things but now when it comes down to the nitty-gritty they have dipped their hands into the money and that’s it.
“I don’t think there will be a golfer that won’t be bitterly disappointed at the news today.”
Peter Alliss (Middle next to Hazel Irving) joins the chorus slamming the R & As decision to dump the BBC in favou-r of SKY Sports bigger bucks
Alliss was one of many leading voices questioning the R & A decision including World No. 1 and reigning Open Champion, Rory McIlroy, double Open winner Ernie Els, former US Open champion, Justin Rose and past World No. 1 Lee Westwood.
Westwood declared over the weekend: “I cannot believe the Open isn’t protected as one of the crown jewels — that is an absolute disgrace.
“It’s very disappointing, even though I can appreciate how much Sky have done for the European Tour, and how much they’ve done for the game of golf. But look at the viewing figures for Sky compared to the BBC and you have to question it when the number of golfers are dwindling. It (the R&A) is the guardian of the game. But it seems to be all money-driven, and Sky are willing to pay more than anyone else.”
Graeme McDowell has backed Westwood’s comments, while Rory McIlroy speaking last week in Dubai said; “shame”, and adding: “Money talks, you know.”
It remains to be seen whether the multi-million dollars set to fill the R & As coffers from SKY will be put back into the grassroots level of the game as well as lead to reduction in the soaring costs of those attending The Open.
And as close colleague and Daily Mail correspondent Derek Lawrenson the whole scenario smacks of a farce and shame on the BBC for not digging deeper to retain TV rights and ensure coverage is beamed all day into British house holds.
But then it seemed the writing was on the wall for golf when McIlroy was rudely over-looked as 2014 ‘Sportsperson of the Year’.
