Aug 11, 2015 3 min read

Marc Scott said it’s hard to organize “something unique” that gives participants something for their money, but the Olivia Scott Foundation believes it has found one.

And several businesses in the city of Washington, in addition to the Washington Chamber of Commerce, apparently agree.

On Aug. 29, the first Olivia’s Mini Golf Open, sponsored in conjuction with Miller Lite, will be held at 15 locations throughout the city. Each business is responsible for designing its own miniature golf hole, and two South Main Street businesses – the Washington Winery/chamber and Chicco Baccello – will host two holes. Prizes will be awarded for low score, best hole and most hospitable location.

The foundation decided to organize the golf outing after Scott participated in WDVE’s South Side Open in Pittsburgh to benefit United Cerebral Palsy.

“I thought it was a fun event,” Scott said. “This is an opportunity for people to have fun and enjoy a day out in the city of Washington.”

Plus, he said, proceeds will benefit his favorite charity: the Olivia Scott Foundation.

Marc and Ann Scott’s daughter, Olivia, was 17 years old when she died July 1, 2009, less than five months after experiencing symptoms of what was diagnosed as liver cancer.

To honor Olivia’s memory, her parents established the foundation to provide comfort and bring joy to youngsters in life-threatening or life-altering situations. Through its various fundraisers, including a Valentine’s Day Dinner-Dance, wine tasting and Penguins ticket raffle, the foundation is able to provide books and Christmas stockings in Olivia’s name to patients at Children’s Hospital in Pittsburgh, plus beverages year-round in the ninth-floor lounge for families of cancer patients at the hospital.

One year, the foundation also was able to help four families with children’s whose homes were damaged by fire.

“If it affects kids, we try to put a smile on their faces,” Scott said.

The foundation also provides annual scholarships to two students at McGuffey High School, where Olivia was a student at the time of her death, through the Washington County Community Foundation, and in 2010, it opened Olivia’s Closet, which accepts donations for gently used prom gowns, shoes and accessories.

“I consider that 50 percent fundraiser, 50 percent community service,” Scott said, referring to Olivia’s Closet.

In addition to the Washington Winery and Chicco Baccello, other participating businesses in Olivia’s Mini Golf Open are:

• American Legion Post 175 on Park Avenue Washington;

• Arms Club, 39 South St.;

• Carmella’s Pizza, 180 Brownson Avenue;

• Fanatic Impressions, Hungry Jose’s, Keystone Club, May’rz Inn, Brew House, Peppino’s and South Side Restaurant, all on South Main Street;

• Luxury Box Sports Bar and Grille, 427 E. Maiden St.;

• Triple T’s, 30 Oregon St.;

• West End Bottle Shop, 20 Cumberland Ave.

Cost is $25 per person or $100 per foursome and includes the bar crawl, T-shirt, food, Miller Lite specials and prizes. There also will be a Chinese auction. Those without a foursome will be teamed up with other participants.

Advance registration is preferred, although walk-ins will be welcome. Registration forms are available at each of the participating locations, or by contacting Marc Scott at mascott10@verizon.net or 724-255-6437.

The event will begin at the American Legion, where hole assignments will be distributed at 11 a.m. until the shotgun start at noon. All golfers are asked to be finished by 5 p.m.