News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon

Golf teams name new head coach

Bill Mitchell has been named the new boys and girls varsity golf coach. Mitchell will take over the reins from former boys' head coach Jeff Barton, who led the Outlaws golf team for 19 years. Mitchell will also assume the role as the girls' head coach, a position which Mary Flande held for 18 years.

Mitchell is very familiar with the sport and brings with him a thorough knowledge of the game and years of experience.

Mitchell first golfed at Middletown High School in Ohio and went on to golf Division 1 at Miami of Ohio in the Mid American Conference. Bill earned his B.A. in chemistry and went directly to work for Pfizer, a major pharmaceutical company in Chicago.

Bill played some amateur golf while in Chicago, but not near enough for his liking.

"I went from playing every day in college to maybe twice a month, and I really missed it," said Mitchell. "My job was very hectic and I missed being around golf."

As a result, Mitchell quit a good-paying job, went back to Ohio and turned professional. He started working as a club professional at Meadowbrook County Club in Dayton, Ohio, and was there for one year. He then went to work at Weatherwax Golf Course in Middletown, Ohio, where he stayed for three years.

Mitchell spent three years at Sycamore Creek County Club, a private club in Dayton. All seven years were spent working toward his class A membership in the PGA (Professional Golfers Association of America) which is different from the PGA tour.

"I earned it," stated Mitchell. "It was obviously a big commitment, but the seven years were so worth it and I got my own job."

Mitchell was hired as the director of golf (DOG), the head professional at Miami Shores Golf Course in Troy, Ohio, and was there for 19 years.

Mitchell loved many aspects about being the DOG.

"I loved being outside, and I loved the people," stated Mitchell. "I ran all the tournaments, and one of the best things I did while I was there was start a Special Olympics program. We hosted the athletes and their partners (usually a dad, mom or friend) every Thursday. The partners drove but the kids really enjoyed the electric carts. Golf actually lends itself very well to perfecting a repetitive motion, which these athletes did well."

After his parents passed away, Mitchell and his family packed up and moved to Oregon. He has been a paraprofessional at Sisters Elementary School for the past eight years.

Mitchell is excited to be actively involved in golf once again and hopes to extend his knowledge and love of the game to his players.

"I want to try and develop more players and get them interested in the game," stated Mitchell. "I really want to work on the fundamentals with the kids, specifically the grip, the set-up and the swing. Golf is a very tough game to get comfortable with and my hope is that I can help my players get comfortable and then work on the fundamentals and improve each week."

 

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