Fraser Valley (Dan Kinvig) – The on-course action at the fifth annual Nick Taylor Charity Pro-Am presented by Algra Bros. Developments ended the same way three of the previous four editions had – with PGA Tour standout Taylor winning his namesake event.
Taylor carded a five-under 65 at Abbotsford’s Ledgeview Golf Club, his home course, to finish atop a strong field of local Vancouver Golf Tour pros. Bryce Barker (66), Kevin Spooner (67) and Brad Clapp (68) were Taylor’s closest pursuers, and UFV men’s golf alum Zach Olson shot 69 and was part of a six-way tie for fifth place.
The tournament was a huge success off the course as well. It was once again sold out, with proceeds supporting the UFV men’s and women’s golf teams, along with a pair of local charities selected by Taylor and his wife Andie: Abbotsford’s Archway Community Services, and Chilliwack Community Services.
Final fundraising totals for Thursday’s event were not immediately available, but Chris Bertram, development advisor for Cascades golf, announced a pair of impressive cumulative figures to the crowd. Over the past 11 years, dating back to the advent of the UFV golf program’s fundraising tourney originally held in partnership with Ray Stewart, the event has now eclipsed the $1 million mark in total dollars raised, and more than $250,000 has been generated for endowments to fund student-athlete scholarships.
Afterward, Taylor lauded the contributions of Bertram, Phil Algra of presenting sponsor Algra Bros., and Cascades golf coaches Aaron Pauls and Cody Stewart for their efforts in helping to stage this year’s tournament. Due to COVID-19 travel restrictions, Taylor spent seven-plus consecutive months stateside during the PGA Tour season, and there was uncertainty whether he’d be able to come home to Abbotsford to play host.
“It was a worry even four months ago,” he noted. “But I’m happy I was able be here, and everything went really smoothly.
“Andie and I want to support as much as we can locally – we both grew up here,” he added. “Archway and Chilliwack Community Services, being umbrella organizations for both of their communities, they can distribute the money where it needs to go.”
Stewart, head coach of the Cascades women’s golf program, noted that it’s “a huge privilege to partner with Nick Taylor on an event like this.”
“The fact it provides support for the community is important to us, because our program runs on community support,” he said. “So for us to be able to give back in an event like this is something we always look forward to.”
“It’s amazing to have people like Nick and Andie who want to give back to the community, and we get to help them do that,” echoed Pauls, Cascades men’s golf head coach. “This event has really come a long way, with businesses in the community wanting to support and attend, and it’s a really cool event for us.”
Thursday’s golf action also featured a team competition, with a pro being paired with an amateur. The duo of Bryn Parry (pro) and Phil Holmberg (amateur) topped the team standings with a score of eight under par. Spooner and Rob Hasell finished second at -7, and Taylor and Bill Miller were third at -6.
Taylor is a two-time winner on the PGA Tour, most recently at the Pebble Beach Pro-Am in February of 2020. He returns south of the border next week to play the 2021-22 season-opening tournament, the Fortinet Championship in Napa, Calif.
If Thursday is any indication, his game is in good shape.
“I was a little rusty today, but I still hit some nice shots and played well,” he said. “I’ve been home for almost a month now, so it’s been nice to have a break. I didn’t put the clubs away totally, but I played enough to keep sharp. I hadn’t been here for seven or eight months, so it was nice to get back and see family and friends I hadn’t seen in so long.”
