Hitchcock to compete at provincial Special Olympics
- Spencer Seymour
- Feb 6
- 3 min read
By Spencer Seymour
Michael Hitchcock, one of the most universally beloved figures in St. Marys and Stratford, will represent his two home communities when he golfs at the Special Olympics Ontario (SOO) Provincial Summer Games in Brantford on July 10-13.
The St. Marys native, who now resides in Stratford, was named to the SOO’s South West District Team for the Level 5 (18-hole) golf competition. Last year, he captured a Silver medal at the two-day SOO Level 5 Provincial golf Qualifier.
Michael told the Independent he is thrilled to return to the Provincial championship stage.
“I feel awesome,” Michael said. “This is a really big opportunity, and I get to represent St. Marys and Stratford, so I’m really excited. When I found out, I was just happy to get back to golfing again.”
Michael added that he takes pride in representing the two towns in which he has become a fixture.
“I lived here (in St. Marys) and I grew up here, so this is my hometown where I have a lot of friends. I moved to Stratford because all my sports are there, and now I have a bunch of friends there too.”
Michael’s father, Larry Hitchcock, added that the 33-year-old SOO athlete’s deep roots in St. Marys and Stratford are at the heart of Michael’s spirit.
“St. Marys is special to him because, like he said, he grew up here,” Larry noted. “He worked at the arena for a number of years, he worked at the Independent Grocer for a number of years, so he knows probably 90 percent of St. Marys and they all love him. Now, he’s working at No Frills in Stratford, at the Stratford Municipal Golf Course during the summer, he’s helping with the Stratford Fighting Irish and has a connection with quite a few people there, too, so he’s proud to be able to represent both communities.”
In preparation for the event, Michael will be training on the golf simulator at the Stratford Country Club under the guidance of his friend and Summer Games’ caddy, Ross Snider, who also serves as a volunteer for SOO Stratford & Area.
“I wanted Ross (Snider) to be my caddy because he knows me and he knows the way I am,” Michael explained. “He knows my strengths. He knows my attitude. He knows how to help me do well.”
Larry also described the connection between Snider and his son.
“Michael and Ross go back a few years,” said Larry. “When he was going to go to the National Games in 2018, Ross got him signed up to use the golf simulator. Ever since then, they’ve become good friends, and fortunately, he was happy to join Michael on this journey.”
Larry also gave thanks to all of the SOO - Stratford & Area volunteers, including SOO - Stratford and Area Community Coordinator Jane Larkworthy, who oversees the program and, as Larry stated, “works so many hours and is always looking for ways to further the program and build support for the athletes.”
Michael, wearing his signature 60-watt smile, expressed massive gratitude for the support he has received from the people of St. Marys and Stratford throughout his athletic journeys.
“The support I’ve had has just been awesome. The help has been really good, and it means a lot to me. If I don’t have the type of support that I’ve had, I don’t go.”
In order for Michael to attend the Games, he is currently fundraising to help cover the costs of his registration, uniform, and training. To donate online, visit https://soontar.io/MikeH
Donations can also be made via mail. The mailing address is SOO - Stratford & Area, 356 Ontario Street, Suite 282, Stratford, ON, N5A 7X6. Cheques are to be made payable to "SOO - Stratford & Area," and those mailing donations are asked to include “Mike H golf” on the memo line.
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