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William Follet Mitchell

(1912 - 1974)

Born: Salem, Massachusetts

Died: West Palm Beach, Florida, at age 62

In 1931 at the age of 19, William %u201CBill%u201D Mitchell started his work in golf by working as a greenkeeper. He spent his next few years working as a superintendent while managing a turf farm. Through these experiences, he gained firsthand knowledge of golf course construction, while creating connections in the industry, such as Orrin Smith, who he helped assist in several layouts throughout New England.

He served as a Navy pilot during World War II.

In the late 1940%u2019s, Mitchell and his two brothers, Samuel and Henry, created a golf course architecture firm known as Mitchell Brothers. It lasted until 1954, and while the other brothers left the field of architecture, Mitchell stayed committed to the profession full-time.

Mitchell%u2019s design characteristics included greens with back to front slope and sizes based on the length of shot being played into them. For example, Mitchell%u2019s long par fours would typically have large green with bunkers to the side, allowing golfers to run shots onto the green, while his short par threes would have smaller, well-protected putting surfaces. He is also credited with coming up with the term Executive Course, which are shorter, less challenging golf courses designed to be played quickly and introduce beginners to the game.

COURSES DESIGNED
Connecticut
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Minnechaug Golf Course
16 Fairway Crossing
-
Connecticut
06033
860/643-9914
Year Built: 1949
1 Rankings / Reviews
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Sleeping Giant Golf Course
3931 Whitney Ave
-
Connecticut
06518
(203) 281-9456
Year Built: 1924, 1951
2 Rankings / Reviews
Florida
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Deerfield Country Club, CLOSED 2014
50 Fairway Dr
-
Florida
33441
Year Built: 1964
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Grande Oaks Golf Club
3201 W Rolling Hills Cir
-
Florida
33328
(954) 916-2900
Year Built: 1956, 1999
1 Rankings / Reviews
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Paradise Preserve Golf Course, CLOSED 2005
3911 Orange Grove Blvd
-
Florida
33903
Year Built: 1972
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President Country Club, Eagle Golf Course
2300 Presidential Way
-
Florida
33401
561/686-4700
Year Built: - 1972
3 Rankings / Reviews
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President Country Club, Patriot Golf Course
2300 Presidential Way
-
Florida
33401
561/686-4700
Year Built: - 1972
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Brooksville Golf & Country Club
23446 Links Dr
-
Florida
34601
352/796-8879
Year Built:
4 Rankings / Reviews
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Atlantis Golf Club
301 Orange Tree Dr
-
Florida
33462
561-966-7600
Year Built: 1973
1 Rankings / Reviews
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The Claw at USF, CLOSED 2023
East Fowler Avenue
-
Florida
33620
Year Built: 1967
4 Rankings / Reviews
Video
Maryland
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Westwinds Golf Club, CLOSED 2016
11330 Country Club Rd
-
Maryland
21774
Year Built: 1971
3 Rankings / Reviews
Massachusetts
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Duxbury Yacht Club Golf Course
Harrison St
-
Massachusetts
02331
781/934-2578
Year Built: - 1925
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Framingham Country Club | Farmingham Golf Course
Gates St
-
Massachusetts
01701
(508) 872-9530
Year Built: 1902, 1932
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Franklin Country Club
E Central St
-
Massachusetts
02038
508/528-9852
Year Built: - 1899
1 Rankings / Reviews
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Holden Hills Country Club
1800 Main St
-
Massachusetts
01522
508/829-3129
Year Built: - 1957
1 Rankings / Reviews
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The Haven Country Club
369 Cross St
-
Massachusetts
01505
(508) 869-2380
Year Built: 1955
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Presidents Golf Course
357 W Squantum St
-
Massachusetts
02171
6173283444
Year Built: 1895
1 Rankings / Reviews
Video
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North Hill Country Club
29 Merry Ave
-
Massachusetts
02332
(781) 934-3249
Year Built: 1962
1 Rankings / Reviews
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King Rail Reserve Golf Course
427 Walnut Street
-
Massachusetts
01940
781/334
Year Built: -1929
New Hampshire
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Amherst Country Club | Amherst Golf Course
72 Ponemah Rd
-
New Hampshire
03031
(603) 673-9908
Year Built: 1962
1 Rankings / Reviews
Video
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Country Club Of New Hampshire
Keasarge Rd
-
New Hampshire
03260
6039274246
Year Built: 1930
1 Rankings / Reviews
Video
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Countryside Golf Club | Countryside Golf Course
20 Country Club Ln
-
New Hampshire
03045
(603) 774-5031
Year Built:
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Nashua Country Club
Fairway St
-
New Hampshire
03060
(603) 888-9858
Year Built: 1916
Video
New York
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Putnam National Golf Club
187 Hill St
-
New York
10541
(845) 628-4200
Year Built:
5 Rankings / Reviews
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Crab Meadow Golf Course
Waterside Ave
-
New York
11768
516/757-8800
Year Built:
7 Rankings / Reviews
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Paramount Country Club, Dellwood Country Club
60 Zukor Rd
-
New York
10956
914/634-4626
Year Built: - 1920
3 Rankings / Reviews
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Indian Island Country Club
Riverside Dr
-
New York
11901
(631) 727-7776
Year Built: 1973
3 Rankings / Reviews
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Kutshers Country Club
Kutsher Rd
-
New York
12701
914/794-6000
Year Built: 1907
2 Rankings / Reviews
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Noyac Golf Club
Wildwood Rd
-
New York
11963
(516) 725-1889
Year Built: 1964
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Otterkill Golf & Country Club
67 Otter Rd
-
New York
10916
914/427-2301
Year Built: - 1957
3 Rankings / Reviews
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Swan Lake Golf & Country Club
Mount Hope Rd
-
New York
12783
914/292-0323
Year Built:
2 Rankings / Reviews
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Tarry Brae Golf Course
Pleasant Valley Rd
-
New York
12779
914/434-2622
Year Built: 1958
4 Rankings / Reviews
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West Sayville Golf Course
Montauk Hwy
-
New York
11796
516/567-1704
Year Built: 1968
3 Rankings / Reviews
Ohio
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Shady Hollow Country Club
4865 Wales Ave Nw
-
Ohio
44646
330/832-1804
Year Built: - 1925
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Tanglewood Country Club
8745 Tanglewood Trl
-
Ohio
44023
4405433191
Year Built: - 1966
3 Rankings / Reviews
Video
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Walden Golf & Tennis Club
585 Club Ln
-
Ohio
44202
330/562-6966
Year Built:
Pennsylvania
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Cedarbrook Country Club
180 Penllyn Pike
-
Pennsylvania
19422
2156433560
Year Built: 1962
1 Rankings / Reviews
Video
Vermont
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Crown Point Country Club
Center Rd
-
Vermont
05156
(802) 885-1010
Year Built: 1953
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Stowe Country Club
Cape Cod Rd
-
Vermont
05672
(802) 253-4893
Year Built: 1962
Video