The European Tour has appointed a new Official Starter, with Alastair Scott taking the full-time position vacated by Ivor Robson who retired earlier this year after a distinguished 41-year career which made him one of the most recognisable voices in golf.
The Scotsman will now assume the podium on the first tee at all European Tour events sponsored by Rolex, the tour’s official time-keeper.
As well as having acted as starter at various prestigious men’s and women’s events over the last 15 years, Scott has also enjoyed a successful career behind the camera in elite sport.
He has spent 40 years at the BBC, starting as a cameraman before rising through the ranks to finish as an Executive Producer and Director for the Open Championship and numerous other European Tour events. He has directed 47 different sports for the BBC, including Wimbledon for 25 years.
Scott has also worked at almost every Summer and Winter Olympic Games since 1980 and pioneered 3D coverage of the swimming event at the London 2012 Olympics, while he was also involved in the recent 2016 Rio Olympics. He has just returned from Rio where he oversaw the coverage of the golf events at this year’s Olympic Games
“I am absolutely delighted and honoured to have been offered this position by the European Tour and Rolex,” said Scott. “Down the years, Ivor’s voice became synonymous with the game of golf and his inimitable delivery is certainly missed among players as well as golf fans.
“I have thoroughly enjoyed following in his footsteps this year and I look forward to continuing my role on the first tee at some of golf’s greatest events in future. After a long career behind the camera in sport, it has truly been a privilege to meet so many talented young individuals at some of the world’s most impressive golfing venues.”
In his spare time, Scott is involved in his local community, running the village Sports Trust, which promotes and organises activities on the local common.
