Mikey Rocco’s Golf Fore All Abilities has arrived. Photo supplied.
It was a dream that has become reality for Mikey (Rocco) DiRaddo.
The 33-year-old Thorold native is a former Special Olympic Golfer and, in collaboration with local golf enthusiast Tony Haney, has brought Golf Fore All Abilities to fruition.
This reporter has had the grateful opportunity to emcee the District School Board of Niagara (DSBN) Special Olympics for 17 years, and it was last June at Centennial High School in Welland – site of the 2023 DSBN Special Olympics – when Tony Haney approached me about Mikey Rocco’s dream.
“Do you remember Mikey Rocco?” Tony said to me. “He wants to start a golf program.”
“Of course, I remembered Mikey,” and that’s where the conversations began.
Fast forward less than a year and Mikey Rocco’s Golf Fore All Abilities has been showcased at two schools already across Niagara, with the hope of visiting many more in the coming weeks and months.
“What I do is go into various schools across the DSBN and I work with people with various disabilities, or all abilities, who want to learn the game of golf,” Rocco, as he prefers to be referred to, explained.
“Most people know now I’m a special Olympian that loves golf.”
Haney says it’s all about the smiles on the kids’ faces.
“It’s been a wonderful experience,” said Haney. “At Pine Grove Elementary, and then at St. Catharines Collegiate High School. The smile on the kids’ faces, the joy, just learning something new and being able to take part in a sport that they’re going to be able to play forever, or even if they just want to go in the backyard and hit it around.”
“That’s what golf’s about – putting smiles on kids’ faces. It’s been a long process, but we’ve had two wonderful visits and can’t wait for some more.”
Haney went to thank the Niagara IceDogs, Niagara River Lions and Welland Jackfish for supporting the idea with player and mascot appearances, as well as local golf pros who have joined them on their school visits, and of course the District School Board of Niagara.
Andy Dermatas is the co-chair and co-founder of the DSBN Special Olympics.
“Mikey’s dream of offering his vision ‘Golf Fore All Abilities’ has become a reality, and it has been a pleasure having this program in our schools,” Dermatas said. “This wonderful, inclusive program has been piloted in the DSBN with more schools signed up to participate. The support from DSBN staff, Niagara IceDogs, Welland Jackfish, Niagara River Lions and Tony Haney and his team from Niagara Golf Warehouse has been amazing.”
“This opportunity has allowed our students to try the game of golf for the love of sport! Watching the smiles on the athletes’ faces says it all! We look forward to working with Mikey as we watch this initiative grow and positively impact all who participate.”
All of the indoor school visits will culminate with an outdoor event – for everyone – at Lookout Point in Fonthill on Wednesday, May 29 from 10:30 am to 12 noon.
“I can’t wait to see this program grow, day by day, year after year, and it’s just amazing to find something that the kids enjoy as much as I do,” added Rocco.
Rod Mawhood is a lifelong Niagara native who has had the pleasure of working in all three mediums – Radio, Print and TV – for over 20 years. His first announcing gig was with the then St. Catharines Stompers. Since then he’s worked in radio and TV in Toronto, and currently is the announcer for the Niagara IceDogs and Niagara River Lions.
Rod also covers the Buffalo Bills for FOX Sports and the Buffalo Sabres for NBC Sports.
