Mark Hitchcock
SGT, US Army Reserve (1996-2006)
Mark Hitchcock served honorably in the US Army Reserve for 10 years with the 980th Quartermaster Company, based out of his hometown in Bay City, Michigan. During his service, Mark progressed to the rank of Sergeant and took on several additional duties within his unit, most prominently serving as his unit’s Duty Appointed Retention NCO while also bearing responsibility for his squad and duties of his MOS as a Petroleum Supply Specialist. Mark’s unit was called up briefly in 2003 to prepare for deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom / Operation Iraqi Freedom and was eventually deployed to Iraq in November, 2004 – December, 2005 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. During his service, SGT Hitchcock earned the Army Commendation Medal, 3 Army Achievement Medals, 3 Army Reserve Components Achievement Medals, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, 2 Armed Forces Reserve Medals w/ M Device, Army Service Ribbon, Driver & Mechanic Badge / Driver-W, as well as several Certificates of Achievement. For service in Iraq, his unit was also awarded the Meritorious Unit Commendation for exceptional service during Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Mark learned about PGA HOPE from one of his volunteers while serving as an Event Manger for the Alzheimer’s Association who was aware of his prior service and love for golf. It was during this time that Mark realized the game of golf offered so much more than just the occasional outing or league night match. During his time in the PGA HOPE Midland program, Mark, who never took a formal lesson prior to this program, not only learned some critical skills that have improved his golf game, but also helped him connect with many fellow Veterans and provide a sense of focus and purpose he didn’t realize was missing in his life since leaving the service, using the game of golf as the catalyst.
Mark is originally from Bay City, Michigan and attended Northwood University and Delta College, partially while both working his civilian full-time job and serving part-time in the US Army Reserves. Mark earned both his Master of Business Administration degree in 2009 and Bachelor of Business Administration degree, with a Dual Major in Management and Marketing in 2004 from Northwood University. Hitchcock also earned his Associate of Business Studies degree from Delta College in 2002 prior to transferring to Northwood University. Mark has continued serving his community in executive leadership roles with various governmental and nonprofit organizations in the community recreation, chamber of commerce, community education, voluntary health, preventative health, and public education sectors. Currently, Mark also serves as a volunteer leader with his local PGA HOPE program, the Michigan Military Golf Association, and the Veteran Golfers Association.