Over 200 golfers on 54 teams made for another sold out Swing, Shoot & Liv Golf Classic, all in support of the Liv-A-Little Foundation and cystinosis research.

Hub Staff

Bright blue skies, lush green grounds and numerous shades of purple created the backdrop for the Swing, Shoot & Liv Golf Classic held at the Saugeen Golf Club September 14.

The seventh annual tournament, organized by the Liv-A-Little Foundation, raises funds and awareness of a rare metabolic disease that afflicts just 75 children across Canada including 9 year old Olivia Little of Port Elgin. Erin and Chad Little, the founders of Liv-A-Little and parents to Olivia, have been relentlessly fighting for a cure since this debilitating disease took over their lives almost a decade ago.

Although Olivia is the only known citizen in Saugeen Shores with the genetic disorder, the battle for a cure has infected an entire community and at the Foundation's largest fundraiser of the year, evidence of this could be seen as 216 golfers took to the green in various purple attire. The Campbell family from Wallaceburg, Ontario returned for their third Liv-A-Little Golf Classic. Katelyn and Adam Campbell are parents to Alan (6) and Nora (2) who have both been diagnosed with cystinosis.

Participants took a swing at quirky challenges that revealed facts about life with cystinosis, such as a putting challenge into a dilapidated bathtub that represented the condition of Olivia’s kidneys. Other unexpected obstacles included a giant mousetrap to commemorate the many mice that lost their lives to cystinosis research and a hideous purple potty to symbolize the frequent potty breaks Olivia requires day and night as a result of her disease.

This year there were also a few surprise visitors on the course who raised money for their own causes. The Saugeen Shores Interact Club served up some burgers and hot dogs and were able to raise $380 for 3 year old Easton Botting of Port Elgin who suffers from acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. Avery Martindale and Sab Cipolletti-Dyke also raised over $400 for the local Botting family with their lemonade stand and popcorn machine donated by Port Elgin Home Hardware. The Bruce County Playhouse and Tracey Murray from the Saugeen Memorial Hospital Foundation were also raising funds at the event.

When golfers completed their rounds they had time to peruse the silent auction items donated by local businesses. A live auction conducted by local auctioneer Pat O’Connor had guests trying to outbid each other for worthy prizes. Attendees were treated to a buffet dinner before emotions were stirred by a number of heartfelt speeches from Foundation member Kara LaBlance, Bruce Power President and CEO Mike Rencheck, Katelyn Campbell and Erin Little.

LaBlance spoke of the outpouring of support and claimed it is something that is unique to Saugeen Shores. “Where else would you have sponsors and businesses and just regular humans come up and ask, 'How can they help,'" asked LaBlance. “Just today a little girl named Finley came and gave us her tooth-fairy money.”

LaBlance acknowledged the Saugeen Golf Club, Rabbit Dash, Off Shore Bakery, The Wismer House and Port Elgin Home Hardware for keeping organizers, volunteers and golfers satiated with food and beverages. “I don’t think this happens everywhere,” stated LaBlance. “Not everyone has a business community that will come together like this to make this day amazing.”

Rencheck noted the many sponsors that contributed to the success of the day’s event and also thanked all the individuals who attended the tournament and the support Bruce Power receives from the community. “We couldn’t do the things we do at Bruce Power without your support,” declared Rencheck.

Campbell shared with the audience what life is like raising two children with cystinosis and described the physical and mental struggles their family faces on a daily basis. Campbell explained the new challenges that their son had been exposed to since starting school. “As difficult as all of these challenges are, they are not what is important,” stated Campbell. “They’re just a part of life. We all face challenges. Accepting that is a guarantee in life, frees us up to let in the abundance of good that surrounds us.”

Campbell counted many blessings their family has including the Little family. “The Littles helped up see that we could be okay, we could build a life that included this disease, but wasn’t owned by it,” said Campbell. “In the darkness of two diagnoses, the love this community has for Olivia and the Littles poured out and it touched our family too.”

President of the Liv-A-Little Foundation and Mother to Olivia, Erin Little took the mic and addressed the more than 200 people gathered. Little expressed their appreciation for the powerful “in between moments” that happen within all the ups and downs they've been through and noted the invaluable relationship with Campbell, "the sister I never wanted” and the outstanding community support for Olivia.

“We all just need to care a little bit,” stated Little. “This room is a true testament to what it looks like when a group of humans just care a little bit about something that’s outside of themselves.”

“I believe that Alan, Olivia and Nora are here to teach us to have empathy for one another and to help those who can’t do it themselves," concluded Little.

Olivia Little tees off, marking the official start to the 2019 Swing, Shoot & Liv Golf Classic September 14 at the Saugeen Golf Club.

Harper Little also took a turn on the putting green before the 216 golfers began their rounds at the Liv-A-Little annual golf tournament in support of cystinosis research.

This team, made up of, from left, Steve Warwick, Jesse Bedard, Eric Fernandes and Matt Warwick, came out in support of cystinosis research and the Liv-A-Little Foundation.

Sab Dyke and Avery Martindale were selling ice cold lemonade to raise money to help the Botting Family of Port Elgin whose son suffers from acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. From left, Sab Cipolletti-Dyke, Avery Martindale, and Emily Martindale.

The girl power team of Erin Hammond, Elsa Bell, Wendy Lake and Katie Atkinson enjoyed a beautiful day out on the green at the Saugeen Golf Club in support of the Swing, Shoot & Liv Golf Classic and the Liv-A-Little Foundation.

Golfers Steve Bell, Darren Kilpatrick, Matt Mulder, and John Inglis claimed victory as the highest scoring team at the 2019 Swing, Shoot & Liv Golf Classic.

Bruce Power President and CEO Mike Rencheck (left) and Executive Vice President of Corporate Affairs and Operational Services James Scongack presented a cheque for $120,000 to Chad Little (centre, left) and Erin Little (centre right) and the Liv-A-Little Foundation. The event has now raised over $700,000 with every cent going to cystinosis research and the fight for a cure.

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