As we approach the one-year mark of the global pandemic, we would like to pay tribute to a special event that made an enormous difference for UFV students.

As the effects of COVID-19 unfolded, all UFV events and athletic activities were put on hold. Golf was one of the few sports able to continue since it could be easily adapted to maintain physical distance between players.

With this in mind, the organizers of the Nick Taylor Charity Pro-Am – UFV Cascades golf team manager Phil Algra and golf coach Chris Bertram – decided to go ahead with the 2020 edition, making the necessary changes to allow them to hold a safe event. The tournament, held last June, sold out in record time.

“There certainly wasn’t any guarantee we were going to be able to put an event like this together with all of the challenges COVID has presented, but despite all of that, the Fraser Valley community came together to help some great causes,” said Bertram.

The 2020 Nick Taylor Charity Pro-Am, presented by Algra Bros. Development, was hosted by the Ledgeview Golf and Country Club.

The proceeds from the Pro-Am are traditionally split between the UFV Golf program and a community charity; this year, organizers decided to allocate $40,000 to the UFV-Student Union Society Food Bank to help UFV students struggling with food insecurity due to the pandemic.

“This donation from the Nick Taylor Charity Pro-Am tournament is timely and so appreciated,” said Kyle Baillie, UFV Executive Director, Student Affairs. “COVID has had a tremendous impact on the already significant need amongst our students, and this donation means that the food security needs of our community will continue to be met. We can’t thank Nick Taylor and his wife Andie Taylor (BSW ‘12), and the UFV Cascades Golf team staff and coaches enough for making this happen.”

The tournament proceeds will cover students in need for the next two semesters. More than 800 requests for assistance were received by the UFV-SUS Food Bank in Fall 2020. This compares to 196 requests in Fall 2019.

“We are all really grateful for the opportunity to help students in need this past year. The UFV-SUS Food Bank provides a vital service and we know how difficult it has been for them to fulfill the needs of so many who have been struggling,” said Bertram.

To make a donation to the UFV-SUS Food Bank, please visit ufv.ca/giving.

If you are a current student in need, the support request form for the UFV-SUS Food Bank can be found on the Student Services website.