Image: City of Abbotsford / Abbotsford Mayor Ross Siemens with Abbotsford native and PGA golf pro Nick Taylor.

By Mike Vanden Bosch

Abbotsford civic awards

City of Abbotsford recognizes PGA pro Nick Taylor, Order of Abbotsford recipient Ann Penner at awards ceremony

Dec 14, 2023 | 5:52 PM

ABBOTSFORD — Abbotsford Mayor Ross Siemens lauded the accomplishments of two outstanding Abbotsford residents during the Order of Abbotsford awards ceremony and formal Community Champion Achievement presentation on Wednesday night (Dec. 13).

In honor of his athletic excellence and the dramatic Canadian Open championship he won earlier in the year, PGA golfer Nick Taylor received the city’s 2023 Community Champion Achievement Award, while Ann Penner was awarded the Order of Abbotsford thanks to her tireless volunteerism and humanitarian endeavours in addition to her dedication to inspiring the next generation of leaders and civic-minded individuals.

Taylor has been representing Abbotsford across North America through the sport of golf since he was just 19 years old, according to a biography provided by the municipality. With many championships and stellar tournament finishes under his belt in his amateur career, Taylor turned pro in 2010, and joined the PGA tour a few years later. To date, Taylor has won the PGA tour three times so far, and made history with his most recent championship in June of this year by being the first Canadian to win the Canadian Open in 69 years.

Taylor also supports the University of the Fraser Valley Cascades men’s and women’s golf programs, as well as local charities including 27Blue, Chilliwack Community Services, the Abbotsford Hospice Society’s Holmberg House and the Starfish Backpack program, through the Nick Taylor Charity Classic Golf Tournament presented by Algra Brothers. Since launching the initiative in 2017, the event has raised over $1 million in proceeds.

The Community Champion Achievement Award is given to an Abbotsford individual, group, or organization who has achieved national or international recognition in a variety of areas, including, but not limited to: academia, sports, arts, and culture; or performed a noteworthy deed which is considered of benefit to the community. As a recipient of the Community Champion Achievement Award, Taylor’s name will be engraved on a paving stone that will be placed along the city-wide Discovery Trail within Abbotsford’s Community Champions pavilion.

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Ann Penner epitomizes the attributes outlined in the Order of Abbotsford award criteria. The Order of Abbotsford is bestowed to an individual who has demonstrated a particularly high level of contribution or length of service to Abbotsford and its residents, and who has brought distinction to themselves and the community through outstanding achievements in a variety of areas, including but not limited to: culture, public or community service, the environment, business, heritage conservation, and sports. Recipients of the Order of Abbotsford have their names recorded in the Order of Abbotsford Merit Book, which is maintained by the office of the Mayor.

Image: City of Abbotsford / Abbotsford Mayor Ross Siemens with Order of Abbotsford award recipient Ann Penner.

Described as the kind of person to call when you need a helping hand, Penner has been a teacher, coach, mentor, guide and enthusiastic volunteer in the community for more than 50 years, and her work is sure to leave a lasting impact on Abbotsford.

by Mike Vanden Bosch

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City of Abbotsford recognizes PGA pro Nick Taylor, Order of Abbotsford recipient Ann Penner at awards ceremony

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