Tillsonburg residents readying for Special Olympics nationals in Medicine Hat, Alberta

William Ypma, left, and Jamie VanParys will be competing in the Special Olympics nationals in Medicine Hat, AB next week. Ypma will compete in golf and VanParys in bocce. (Jeff Helsdon Photo)

Jeff Helsdon, Editor

Two Tillsonburg residents have been busy preparing for the Special Olympics Nationals.

Held in Medicine Hat, AB, Aug. 9 to 16, William Ypma will be competing in golf at level 5 and Jamie VanParys in bocce.

VanParys qualified for the nationals by finishing with a silver in last summer’s provincials in Brantford. This is his fourth year playing.

“I’m really excited,” he said in preparation for the nationals experience. He added he is also excited to go to Alberta.

“I’ve never gone anywhere like that before,” he said.

VanParys’ coach is in Brantford. He practices two to three times per week, and said focus is essential.

“You have to be able to judge your weights, if there’s bumps in the grass or other issues,” he said.

One change for VanParys, and the majority of the competitors, is that the event will be held indoors on artificial turf. This is the first time the Special Olympics nationals have been held indoors. While the artificial turf will eliminate some of the irregularities of outdoor surfaces, it has a different speed. VanParys has done some indoor practice in preparation.

Ypma also qualified in the provincials last year, after more than a decade of experience golfing. He went to the nationals in 2018 for bocce and placed fifth in his category. Golf doesn’t have handicaps, but the players are divided into divisions.

“It’s more challenging,” he said of the difference between the two events.

Golf competitors will have three full days, with 18 holes each, and a half-day of training.

"It’s four full days, and it’s hot out there,” said Carolyn Mulholland, Ypma’s coach and caddy. “We’re walking it; there are no carts out there.”

While Mulholland has previously attended as a parent, this is her first time at the nationals as a coach/caddy.

Special Olympics competitions are set up in a four-year cycle with local, provincial, national and international competitions following in consecutive years. The top two from the nationals will represent Canada at the international level.