Mitchell Family Concludes 101-Year Ownership of Beeston Fields Golf Club

The Mitchell family has concluded its 101-year stewardship of a golf club, making the challenging choice to relinquish ownership. Beeston Fields, located in Nottinghamshire, has been managed by only three family members throughout its century-long history. Current proprietors, Philippa Marshall and her sister Cheryl English, opted to sell the establishment. On October 29, the family enterprise was transferred to new owners, with a contractual provision ensuring the continuation of both the popular golf course and its Walled Garden wedding venue. Mrs. Marshall reflected on her family’s century of ownership. She stated: “I think I should start with Fred Mitchell who was my father’s uncle and he was born in 1878 in Hyson Green. He was one of 12 children.” Following an apprenticeship, Fred Mitchell established his own bicycle shop in Nottingham. Subsequently, in the early 1920s, he acquired the land situated between Beeston and Bramcote. Mrs. Marshall indicated that this acquisition marked the inception of the golf club in 1923. She explained that he divested land to the north of the golf course, which later became Beeston Fields Drive, for residential development. This sale helped him secure funds for the course’s construction. She recounted: “They had a little farm on Beeston Fields Drive – where Eagle Close is now – they had cows and Fred’s wife Clarrie used to make butter and cheese in the back of the golf club house.” Additionally, a walled garden existed, which they cherished, featuring attractive greenhouses lining the perimeter walls. She continued: “They grew peaches, nectarines, and grapes and used to have some lovely parties in that garden which has become The Walled Garden at Beeston Fields, our wedding venue.” Mrs. Marshall further noted that the couple significantly contributed to the World War Two effort. She elaborated: “It was quite an important time for Beeston Fields – they gave over part of the golf course to food production so there is a picture of some sheep grazing on the golf course in the 1940s.” Mrs. Marshall stated that her father, John Mitchell, born in 1923, the year the golf club was established, assumed control of the business in 1970 following his father’s passing. She remarked: “He had known Beeston Fields all his life and was quite dedicated to the place.” She added: “He absolutely loved it and knew all the members by name.” She mentioned that both her father and mother, Peggy, were deeply engaged in the club’s operations and undertook renovations upon taking charge. She recalled: “There would be lots of mixed games of golf, competitions with a party in the evening afterwards.” She noted that her father served as president of the Nottinghamshire Union of Golf Club and was a notable figure within the county. She further commented: “When Beeston Fields played at a different course, my father was always there to support them.” Mrs. Marshall indicated that she assumed the role of managing director for the business in 2008, prior to her father’s death in 2013. She remarked: “So there has only been three of us running Beeston Fields in the 101 years it has been in existence.” She continued: “I think that is quite extraordinary really, and I think I am quite unique in being a female managing director of a golf club.” She added: “I don’t think there are many because golf is quite male centric so it’s something I am quite proud of.” During her leadership, she initially oversaw the refurbishment of the clubhouse. She explained: “As time went on, we built up a really nice Sunday lunch venue. We would do 80 to 100 lunches each Sunday.” She continued: “Having updated the clubhouse, we moved onto to the Walled Garden. Having been beautiful in the 1940s and 50s, it had become derelict.” She mentioned that she and her partner, Alastair Wright, developed it collaboratively. She expressed: “It is the thing I’m most proud of because we created something that is really beautiful and very successful. “The rest of the golf club was there before but The Walled Garden feel like it’s ours.”” She noted that the venue had hosted over 1000 weddings since its opening in 2012. Mrs. Marshall revealed that for the past few years, she and her sister had contemplated the conclusion of their business ownership. She explained: “I don’t have any children and my sister’s sons are both in London.” She added: “So time has caught up with us, and we felt it was out time to retire.” She acknowledged: “It has been a really hard decision because we love the place so much but we realise that you can’t go on forever.” Nonetheless, she affirmed that they intend to continue playing golf at Beeston Fields, indicating that their departure is not permanent.