| Overall UK Wins: 0 | Overall UK Losses: 2 | Win % 0 |
Date of Birth: June 7, 1884
Date of Death: February 25, 1985
Hometown: Indianapolis, IN
Alma Mater: Wabash [1908]

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Obituary - Indianapolis News (February 25, 1985)

William Diddel, Course Designer

William Diddel, 101[sic], a noted golf course designer and one of Wabash College's most famous athletes, died today.

Diddel died at Indiana Christian Retirement Park, Zionsville.

Calling will be Wednesday at Smith Funeral Home in Carmel with services Thursday at Orchard Park Presbyterian Church in Carmel. Times have not been set.

Diddel designed nearly 300 golf courses since 1922, including the courses at Woodland Country Club, Meridian Hills Country Club, Greentree, Martinsville, Ulen and Hillcrest Country Club.

Diddel was the first graduate of Wabash College to score points and earn varsity letters in four sports - track, football, baseball and basketball. He graduate from Wabash in 1908.

He served simultaneously as Wabash's athletic director, alumni director and admissions director in 1914.

The small, white-haired man lost track years ago of the many golf tournaments he'd won. A study of the record books, however, probably would show that Diddel carried home as many or more trophies than any amateur golfer anywhere.

But the victories on the links tell only a small part of the story of this fabulous golfer.

To those who knew him personally, it was obvious that he cherished, more than any other, his record of having "shot his age" at least once every year since his 71st birthday.

By the time he reached 79, he said it was getting too easy. On his 80th birthday, he told directors and past directors of Woodland Country Club, gathered to celebrate with him that he bet his wife Helen he would shoot 80 or better 80 times before his 81st birthday.

He missed the mark, shooting his age only 77 times, the best round a 69 in a national seniors tournament at Pinehurst N.C. On his 81st birthday, he announced to his friends it would be easier in the coming year and that he bet Helen he'd shoot 81 or better 100 times before his 82nd birthday.

In early May 1966, Diddel and his wife returned from Naples, Fla. to their summer home in a log cabin behind the 12th tee at Woodland. It had been 11 months since his 81st birthday. He announced with his familiar broad grin, "I beat Helen out of a half buck this time. Shot my 106th round of 81 or better just before we left for Carmel." His best round of that year was a 71 in the Western Seniors at Wecantonsing, Mich.

Between his 82nd and 83rd birthday he shot 82 or better only 94 times, explaining that an around-the-world trip kept him out of action for one month during that year.

A week after his 83rd birthday he shot an 83 at Woodland, with a ball in the water on No. 5 and one out of bounds on No. 6.

Relaxing in the clubhouse after the round, he said, "Well, I won't have to kick Helen when I get home. I shot my age."

Diddel had been the architect for courses in Florida, including two at Naples, where he and his wife Helen made their winter home; Texas, Colorado, Michigan, Montana, Wisconsin, Ohio and Pennsylvania.

Diddel was one of the founders of the American Society of Golf Course Architects and served as its president in 1950 and 1965.

In 1951 he fulfilled a life-long dream to design and build his own golf course when he began work on the Woodland course on East 116th Street south of Carmel. The course was opened in 1952 as a public fee course. In 1955, a group of golfers appealed to him for permission to organize a private club to use the facilities. With Diddel's help, Woodland Country Club was organized and began operation in spring 1956.

Diddel won the Indianapolis amateur championship in 1903 while a student at Manual High School. He won is six consecutive years after the tournament was resumed in 1910.

Meanwhile, he won the Indiana amateur championship in 1905, 1906, 1907, 1910 and 1912. After his fifth win, he tried from the tourney until 1918, when he was runner-up. He finished second again in 1929 and 1930. He also was medalist in five state amateur championships.

In 1916 and 1917, Diddel was medalist and champion of the Central Golf Association.

He was a member of the American Seniors Golf Association, of which he was vice president and director in 1950; the U.S., Indiana, Southern and Western senior golf associations.

A native of Indianapolis, Diddel was a graduate of Manual High School, where he played baseball, basketball and football, in addition to his golf activities. He was a charter member of the first high school golf club organized in Indiana.

Diddel entered Wabash College in 1904. He played varsity baseball and basketball for four years, was on the varsity indoor track team two years and played varsity football for one month in 1907.

After graduating from Wabash, Diddel was in the life insurance business for seven years. In 1915, he returned to the Wabash campus as college secretary and graduate manager of athletics. Diddel returned to Indianapolis in 1917 and was owner and manager of Franklin Motor Car Co. until 1922, when he began his long career as a golf course architect.

Diddel has been a member of the old First Presbyterian Church here and the Presbyterian Church of Naples, Fla. He was a charter member of Woodland Country Club and was awarded a life membership on his 80th birthday.

Survivors - daughters Judith Fisher, Jane Stevens.

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