The sold out Swing, Shoot and Liv Golf Classic saw 216 golfers gather at Saugeen Golf Club in support of the Liv-A-Little Foundation September 8.
Hub Staff
There was a sea of purple at Saugeen Golf Club September 8 as golfers came out in support of the Liv-A-Little Foundation's sixth annual Swing, Shoot and Liv Golf Classic raising $110,000 for Cystinosis research and finding a cure.
The sold out tournament saw 216 golfers take to the greens for a day of fun and education on the rare disease that impacts just 75 children and young adults in Canada, including Olivia Little, a Saugeen Shores resident after whom the Foundation is named.
Liv-A-Little Foundation President and Olivia's mom, Erin Little said there were a number of educational activities around the course for golfers to participate in, several of them new additions to this year's event. “It's more to talk about how Olivia does so well versus all the bad things,” she explained. “[The golfers] are going to be doing yoga on one of the holes and we have a fitness gym here also where they have to do a circuit, so hoola hooping, jump roping and jumping jacks," she said.
Little said that at last year's tournament, rather than giving golfers paraphernalia, organizers found a new way to thank them. “We decided to use that money to donate to other causes,” she said. “Last year we chose the hospital and this year we chose the Canadian Tire Jumpstart," she said.
“One reason we believe Olivia does so well is her ample amount of play she has,” said Little, adding that through the Jumpstart program hundreds of local children were able to take part in a variety of sports and activities they might not otherwise be able to participate in. A cheque for $1,000 was accepted by the Mowbray family, owners of Canadian Tire in Port Elgin, on behalf on Jumpstart.
Little said that other families whose children had also been diagnosed with Cystinosis had travelled to be at the day's tournament, including a family from London and a family from Wallaceburg. “There's a baby here and it's her birthday today,” she said. “Nora and her brother both have Cystinosis, so 250 people have come out for a birthday party as well,” added Little.
After arriving in style with her sister Harper, in a miniature horse and carriage, Olivia teed off to get the tournament underway. The event concluded with a dinner and auction.
Nora Campbell (pink) was celebrating her first birthday with brother Alan (5) and mom Katelyn as well as Harper (5) and Olivia (8) Little with mom Erin at the sixth annual Swing, Shoot and Liv Golf Classic. Nora and Alan both also have Cystinosis and the family had travelled from Wallaceburg to attend the day's event.
Chad and Erin Little stand with daughters Olivia (left) and Harper at the sixth annual Swing, Shoot and Liv Golf Classic September 8 at Saugeen Golf Club.
A cheque for $1,000 was presented to Canadian Tire's Jumpstart charity at the Swing, Shoot and Liv Golf Classic. From left, Mike, Candace and Eleanor Mowbray of Mowbray's Canadian Tire in Port Elgin accepted the cheque from Olivia, Chad, Harper and Erin Little.
On a cooler morning than we've been used to over the summer months, Jon Hepplewhite, owner of Rabbit Dash Coffee House, had brought his coffee truck to the Swing, Shoot and Liv Golf Classic and was offering a variety of hot beverages to warm golfers up while they registered for the day's tournament. Drinks were by donation and proceeds went to the Liv-A-Little Foundation, raising a total of $360. From left, Barb Downey, Heather Campbell, Jon Hepplewhite, Ann MacKay and Shirley Morningstar.
From left, Angela Tolton, Christy Kelly, Kara Lablance and Stacey Reiley had a busy morning registering the day's 216 golfers.
Olivia Little and sister Harper arrived in style at Saugeen Golf Club on a miniature horse and carriage.
Olivia Little swings and strikes the first ball of the day, officially beginning the sixth annual Swing, Shoot and Liv Golf Classic September 8.
The Sutton-Huron Shores Realty Inc. Brokerage team had sponsored purple Liv-A-Little shoe laces that were handed out to all the golfers to wear with a message that read: Thank you for tying us together for a cure!!! From left, Brian Shular, Susan Shular, Bonnie McLean and Brad Cobean.
Ready for a day of fun and hard to miss in their shiny purple jackets were, from left, Madison Falconer, Dave Falconer, Pete Archer and Kyle Atkinson.
From left, Brittany Hamilton, Jordan Hutton, Alexandra Cook and Nicole Pette were all dressed in their Swing, Shoot and Liv Golf Classic shirts and ready for a round of golf.