PETER ALLISS enjoys universal acclaim as the doyen of golf commentators. Rightly so: Alliss, a long-time resident of Hindhead, remains up there with the most revered names in sports broadcasting and has acquired iconic status.

Golf Digest magazine voted him the 'best golf commentator ever'. Few on either side of the Atlantic would challenge that assessment.

The older generation of viewers love him for his gentle humour, and his fierce and unyielding protection of the old values and traditions. Mess with the grand old game and you'll have Alliss to answer to, for sure.

His sympathetic and endearingly idiosyncratic commentary style has helped broaden the sport's appeal beyond the circle of informed and dedicated viewers. Indeed, Alliss, like the late, great John Arlott, is often at his whimsical best when addressing issues on the periphery of the action.

So, a man on top of his form, preparing to tackle another Open. It is likely, however, that as this year unfolds his mind will go back 50 years, to Wentworth and his less than heroic role in a Ryder Cup calamity.

Nineteen fifty three: what a momentous year it was. We remember it, of course, for the Stanley Matthews Cup Final, for Gordon Richards winning the Derby after so many years of frustration, and for England's cricketers regaining the Ashes under the ultra-professional Len Hutton.

Great deeds, then, in 1953. What is usually forgotten is how close Britain and Ireland's Ryder Cup golfers came to adding their names to that year's honours board.

Sadly, the record books show that it was Alliss and Bernard Hunt, both newcomers to the Ryder Cup, who blew the chance to beat the Americans for the first time in 20 years.

The favourable situation for the home team at Wentworth had been set up by the heroics of Eric Brown, Arthur Daly and Harry Weetman.

Brown, the third British newcomer to the event, had pulled off a last-hole victory over American captain Lloyd Mangrum; for Brown this was the start of a notable run of victories in the Ryder Cup.

Daly, in an all-Irish partnership with Harry Bradshaw, holed a long putt on the last green to win their foursome, and then demolished Ted Kroll by 9 and 7 the next day.

But it was Weetman who captured the headlines, beating the fearsome Sam Snead on the last green after being four down with six to play. It was one of the greatest collapses by a star player ever witnessed in the event, the more so because it was the only time 'Slammin' Sam' tasted defeat in a Ryder Cup singles.

For the home spectators, the victory was that much sweeter because Snead had expressed some uncomplimentary views about British golf, its courses and the proffered accommodation. Such comments were all part of Snead's efforts to cultivate and sustain a controversial image, and he relished any strong reaction.

So, expectations were high as the final day unfolded and glory beckoned. If Alliss, one down with one hole to play against Jimmy Turnesa, could halve, and Hunt, one up with one to play, could win his match, the cup would return to Britain.

The scene was set, the script written, only for the two young Britons to fluff their lines. In the full glare of publicity, which made a lasting mark on the 22-year-old Alliss, he took four from close to the green for a six (when a five would have won the hole).

There were gasps, then silence fell across the course. Reports suggested Alliss was on the verge of tears as he shook hands with his relieved opponent.

The tension also told on Hunt, who took three putts and, like Alliss, carded a six, when five would have won him his match and tied the contest. It would be another four years before the American stranglehold was broken with that famous victory at Lindrick.

In spite of the disappointment of Wentworth, Alliss went on to establish an impressive record in the Ryder Cup, including a win and a half against the great Arnold Palmer. Alliss was, in particular, a powerful force in the fifties, winning four and halving four of his singles, with only three defeats.

In a long and distinguished career, Alliss won 23 tournaments, including three British PGA titles and the Italian, Spanish (twice), Brazilian and Portuguese Opens.

Alliss remained one of the finest strikers of a golf ball ever to walk the fairways of the world, but when the putting demons became too much for him, he set out on a career on the other side of the ropes.