Ray Mitchell
One of the most prolific winners of titles in our club’s history was R.E. (Ray) Mitchell. Between 1964-65 and 1986-87 he won our Club’s men’s singles titles on 14 occasions. He took the title seven times in succession from 1976-77 to 1982-83 and was three times Manawatu Centre Champion-of-Champions at singles. Ray won the triples 3 times and the fours 6 times. He also won the pairs title a number of times, exactly how many times in uncertain because during renovations some years ago the honours board for the men’s pairs was lost. Present day member Noel Larsen who led for Ray in six of his pairs wins thinks Ray won the pairs 14 times. Noel was also a member of a number of his winning triples and fours teams.
Ray Mitchell came to the Levin club from the Naenae club in the Hutt Valley and had a market garden on McLeavey Road. After the death of his first wife he remarried an Australian woman and moved to Queensland where he grew pineapples. According to Noel Larsen Ray Mitchell is still living in Queensland at age 100.
