It's amazing how many lives Mike has touched during the years through the game of golf. Mike began his career in golf at Washoe County Golf Course as a teenager assisting in the pro shop and on the driving range under the guidance of Peter Marich, Washoe County's head golf professional and manager. During his tenure at Washoe County G.C., Mike competed on the PGA Tour for two years (1973-74) and then became an assistant golf pro at Washoe.
Following Pete's example, Mike became a Class "A" PGA Professional in 1972 and was promoted to the responsibility of Head PGA Professional at Sierra Sage Golf Course, Stead, NV, in January, 1979. In his early years at Sierra Sage, Mike was the 1981/82 Northern Nevada Long Drive Champion. At Sierra Sage he developed long-lasting relationships with his ever-loyal and wonderful staff who remained very near and dear to him. Mike also formed tight bonds with the members of the men's and ladies clubs at both Sierra Sage and Washoe and loved the birthday parties the girls threw for him. He remained at Sierra Sage and eventually became the Director of Golf until October, 2009, when he began his battle with Alzheimer's.
His association with the PGA (Professional Golfers Association) has always been a source of pride for Mike and especially the close friends he made within this special "brotherhood". He was also proud to have been co-founder and charter member of the Sierra Nevada Chapter (est. 1980), Northern California Section of the PGA, where he served as its president from 1986-1991 and was an active board member for over 20 years. Mike was also tremendously proud to have taught and helped hundreds of golfers, including beginners, junior golfers, intermediate players, professionals and 'Special Olympians' in and around Northern Nevada.
Mike had many other passions outside of the golf world and #1 was his family. He leaves behind his wife of over 15 years, Carol; daughter, Michelle Mitchell; sister and brother-in-law, Frankie and Chuck Roesler; niece and nephew, Tammy and Bobby Roesler (all from Reno); and one aunt, "Anthill" Hil' Unfried, Anchorage, AK, and a multitude of close friends. Mike was also thrilled to be called 'Grandpa Mike' by Carol's daughter's, Sandy Thomas, children, Kira and Chase, Cedar City, UT. Mike was preceded in death by his father and mother, Walter and Agnes Mitchell, Reno, NV, and his beloved dog, Bogie.
Throughout all his life, Mike was very active in other sports, including Little League, Babe Ruth, a stint with the L.A. Dodgers farm team and Allstate football. He also loved deep-sea fishing, mountain fishing and was an avid hunter. Mike was a longtime supporter of Ducks Unlimited and the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. All his interests took him to beautiful places on earth, including Bermuda, Mexico, Portugal, China, France, the Bahamas, Alaska and the gorgeous state of Hawaii that he was fortunate enough to have visited over a dozen times. In addition to travel, Mike always felt lucky to have a wonderful home in Verdi and a cabin in Plumas Pines where he and Carol loved to entertain family and friends.
In lieu of flowers, Mike and his family would appreciate your donation to The First Tee, 1575 Delucchi Lane, Suite 104, Reno, NV 89502 or the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation (JDF) 5335 Kietzke Lane, #30, Reno, NV 89511-4004.
A memorial service will be held at Walton's Funeral Home, Sierra Chapel, 875 W. Second Street, Reno, NV, on Monday, January 17th, at 11:00 a.m.
Randy Ward
Still miss you, good friend.
Bruce Templeton
Walter "Mike" Mitchell
It's amazing how many lives Mike has touched during the years through the game of golf. Mike began his career in golf at Washoe County Golf Course as a teenager assisting in the pro shop and on the driving range under the guidance of Peter Marich, Washoe County's head golf professional and manager. During his tenure at Washoe County G.C., Mike competed on the PGA Tour for two years (1973-74) and then became an assistant golf pro at Washoe.
Following Pete's example, Mike became a Class "A" PGA Professional in 1972 and was promoted to the responsibility of Head PGA Professional at Sierra Sage Golf Course, Stead, NV, in January, 1979. In his early years at Sierra Sage, Mike was the 1981/82 Northern Nevada Long Drive Champion. At Sierra Sage he developed long-lasting relationships with his ever-loyal and wonderful staff who remained very near and dear to him. Mike also formed tight bonds with the members of the men's and ladies clubs at both Sierra Sage and Washoe and loved the birthday parties the girls threw for him. He remained at Sierra Sage and eventually became the Director of Golf until October, 2009, when he began his battle with Alzheimer's.
His association with the PGA (Professional Golfers Association) has always been a source of pride for Mike and especially the close friends he made within this special "brotherhood". He was also proud to have been co-founder and charter member of the Sierra Nevada Chapter (est. 1980), Northern California Section of the PGA, where he served as its president from 1986-1991 and was an active board member for over 20 years. Mike was also tremendously proud to have taught and helped hundreds of golfers, including beginners, junior golfers, intermediate players, professionals and 'Special Olympians' in and around Northern Nevada.
Mike had many other passions outside of the golf world and #1 was his family. He leaves behind his wife of over 15 years, Carol; daughter, Michelle Mitchell; sister and brother-in-law, Frankie and Chuck Roesler; niece and nephew, Tammy and Bobby Roesler (all from Reno); and one aunt, "Anthill" Hil' Unfried, Anchorage, AK, and a multitude of close friends. Mike was also thrilled to be called 'Grandpa Mike' by Carol's daughter's, Sandy Thomas, children, Kira and Chase, Cedar City, UT. Mike was preceded in death by his father and mother, Walter and Agnes Mitchell, Reno, NV, and his beloved dog, Bogie.
Throughout all his life, Mike was very active in other sports, including Little League, Babe Ruth, a stint with the L.A. Dodgers farm team and Allstate football. He also loved deep-sea fishing, mountain fishing and was an avid hunter. Mike was a longtime supporter of Ducks Unlimited and the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. All his interests took him to beautiful places on earth, including Bermuda, Mexico, Portugal, China, France, the Bahamas, Alaska and the gorgeous state of Hawaii that he was fortunate enough to have visited over a dozen times. In addition to travel, Mike always felt lucky to have a wonderful home in Verdi and a cabin in Plumas Pines where he and Carol loved to entertain family and friends.
In lieu of flowers, Mike and his family would appreciate your donation to The First Tee, 1575 Delucchi Lane, Suite 104, Reno, NV 89502 or the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation (JDF) 5335 Kietzke Lane, #30, Reno, NV 89511-4004.
A memorial service will be held at Walton's Funeral Home, Sierra Chapel, 875 W. Second Street, Reno, NV, on Monday, January 17th, at 11:00 a.m.
- Reno Gazette-Journal, 01/13/2011