Alex Mitchell (1930 – 2023)
24/01/2023
The PGA is saddened to learn that Alex Mitchell, an Honorary Member and former PGA in Scotland captain, has passed away at the age of 92.
Born in Scotland, Alex took a somewhat unconventional route to being elected to PGA Membership in 1968.
He began his working life as a draughtsman for the National Coal Board in Glasgow, but golf accounted for much of his spare time; he had fallen in love with the game as a teenager and joined Bonnybridge Golf Club near Falkirk.
Club competition victories were soon forthcoming and more success as an amateur followed elsewhere, including being party to victory in the Scottish Mixed Foursomes.
Such was Alex’s passion for the game that the temptation to turn pro became irresistible and, having joined The PGA in 1962, his first job was at Hoylake Municipal Golf Club on the Wirral in Cheshire.
Alex was there for five years before moving to neighbouring Arrowe Park Golf Club where he developed his skills as a coach. So much so that his diary was invariably full.
Nevertheless, he still made time to play competitively at home and abroad. His favourite course was Crans sur Sierre, Switzerland, but his proudest moment came closer to home during the 1970 Open Championship at St Andrews when he completed his final round to the accompaniment of loud cheers.
Unbeknown to him, a group of members from Arrowe Park had hired a coach and travelled to the Home of Golf to support him.
Former PGA Captain and fellow Scot, Jim Farmer also played in that year’s Open, and it was one of many occasions the pair’s paths crossed.
“He was a very good player and lovely to play with,” Farmer reflected. “And he did a superb job at Taymouth Castle when he went there.
“There were a lot of corporate days, and it was a very busy complex. But Alex was always very diligent and a first-class club professional. Above all, he was a fine fellow and a gentleman.”
Despite his popularity at Arrowe Park and the high esteem in which Alex was held, the lure of returning to his homeland resulted in him accepting the role of head professional at Taymouth Castle Golf Club, Perthshire, in 1973.
Alex was there for eight years until 1981, during which time he became a keen fisherman, competitive curler and course designer. Combining his knowledge of golf with his skills as a draughtsman, Alex redesigned a couple of holes at Taymouth Castle and advised on the layout of a new course outside Paris.
The end of Alex’s time at Taymouth Castle and beginning of a short spell at Deer Park Golf Club, Livingston, coincided with his term of office as PGA in Scotland captain.
He followed up by working in the third of the home countries, as head pro at the Rolls of Monmouth Golf Club in Wales before heading back to Scotland in 1985 to take on a similar post at Crow Wood Golf Club, Glasgow.
Alex spent two years there before returning to Cheshire where he worked at Eaton Golf Club on the cusp of Chester for eight years until retiring in 1995.
Retirement, however, neither curbed his desire to play nor teach the game, not least the pupils at The King’s School, Chester, whom he coached well into his 80s.
Alex, who was predeceased by his first wife Margaret and daughter Kirsty, is survived by his wife Ann, daughters Fiona and Lorna, eight grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren. The PGA extends heartfelt condolences to them on their loss.
