Alex Hay
Encyclopedia
Alex Hay was a Scottish
professional golf
er, golf instructor, writer and a former BBC
sports commentator. Hay was best known for his commentating partnership with Peter Alliss
where their banter, often displaying humour or wit became regarded by many as the "Voice of Golf". He was a former Ryder Cup
referee.
Hay was born in Edinburgh
. He was educated at Musselburgh Grammar School
. He joined Ben Sayers as an apprentice golf club maker before becoming assistant to Bill Shankland at Potters Bar
. He was the professional at East Herts and Dunham Forest. For 13 years, he was the professional at Ashridge Golf Club. In 1977 he became professional and then the managing director of the Woburn Golf Club in England. He was a professional golfer until 1994 and commentated for the BBC
between 1978 and 2004. He co-presented all the major golf tournaments with fellow commentator Peter Alliss
during this period and Hay and Alliss were renowned for their great rapport and charisma on television, and enduring friendship outside of the commentary.
Hay also provided commentary with Alliss in the Actua Golf
video game series.
Although Hay retired from broadcasting, he remained involved in the professional golf scene. He was noted for his golfing instruction, particularly the techniques of the swing. He wrote numerous works on the subject. His son David, also a golfer, is proprietor of the Galloway's Restaurant in Woburn.
Hay died on the 11 July 2011, following a short battle with an illness. He was aged 78.
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
professional golf
Golf
Golf is a precision club and ball sport, in which competing players use many types of clubs to hit balls into a series of holes on a golf course using the fewest number of strokes....
er, golf instructor, writer and a former BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
sports commentator. Hay was best known for his commentating partnership with Peter Alliss
Peter Alliss
Peter Alliss is an English professional golfer, BBC television presenter and commentator, author and golf course designer. Alliss is known for his charismatic and unique style of commentary, often displaying a witty demeanour...
where their banter, often displaying humour or wit became regarded by many as the "Voice of Golf". He was a former Ryder Cup
Ryder Cup
The Ryder Cup is a biennial golf competition between teams from Europe and the United States. The competition is jointly administered by the PGA of America and the PGA European Tour, and is contested every two years, the venue alternating between courses in the United States and Europe...
referee.
Hay was born in Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
. He was educated at Musselburgh Grammar School
Musselburgh Grammar School
Musselburgh Grammar School is a large state secondary school that serves as the main secondary school for Musselburgh and the surrounding areas. It dates back to the sixteenth century, although the present building was erected in 1835. Until the 1950s the school was a 'proper' Grammar School, and...
. He joined Ben Sayers as an apprentice golf club maker before becoming assistant to Bill Shankland at Potters Bar
Potters Bar
Potters Bar is a town in the Hertsmere borough of Hertfordshire, England, located north of Central London. In 2001 it had a population of 21,618....
. He was the professional at East Herts and Dunham Forest. For 13 years, he was the professional at Ashridge Golf Club. In 1977 he became professional and then the managing director of the Woburn Golf Club in England. He was a professional golfer until 1994 and commentated for the BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
between 1978 and 2004. He co-presented all the major golf tournaments with fellow commentator Peter Alliss
Peter Alliss
Peter Alliss is an English professional golfer, BBC television presenter and commentator, author and golf course designer. Alliss is known for his charismatic and unique style of commentary, often displaying a witty demeanour...
during this period and Hay and Alliss were renowned for their great rapport and charisma on television, and enduring friendship outside of the commentary.
Hay also provided commentary with Alliss in the Actua Golf
Actua Golf
Actua Golf is a 1996 golf video game of the Actua Sports series developed by Gremlin Interactive for the PlayStation and Sega Saturn. The success of the game resulted in sequels including Actua Golf 2 in 1997 and Actua Golf 3 in 1998....
video game series.
Although Hay retired from broadcasting, he remained involved in the professional golf scene. He was noted for his golfing instruction, particularly the techniques of the swing. He wrote numerous works on the subject. His son David, also a golfer, is proprietor of the Galloway's Restaurant in Woburn.
Hay died on the 11 July 2011, following a short battle with an illness. He was aged 78.