Taylor’s Proud Parents Hope His Win Drives More Kids To The Game
Nick Taylor - Image Credit Bernard Braultt/Golf Canada
By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Goolf
Like much of the rest of the country, Jay and Darlene Taylor were glued to their television as their son Nick made Canadian sports history.
Alone in the family room of their Abbotsford home, the Taylors hugged one another and cried when Nick’s 72-foot putt dropped on the fourth hole of a sudden-death playoff to win the RBC Canadian Open.
They were still crying half-an-hour later when reached on the telephone. “We are super proud, we are super pumped,” said an emotional Jay Taylor.
“It’s been quite the road. People don’t really realize that there’s disappointment, frustration and lots else the kid has to deal with. And to get this juncture here, this is as major as it gets. He could win all four majors now and this would still probably be the most special.”
A couple of weeks ago, the Taylors made a decision that they were undoubtedly regretting just a tad as they watched Sunday’s final round. When it became clear that Nick was going to play in this week’s U.S. Open at Los Angeles Country Club, they decided to attend that tournament instead of the Canadian Open.
“We are so happy we get to go down and see him this week, but Good Lord what can you possibly accomplish at the U.S. Open after this,” Jay said.
He noted that Nick did have a number of relatives at the Canadian Open, including his brother Josh. A 93-year-old uncle was also on hand to watch Nick become the first Canadian to win the tournament since 1954.
“Everyone are just beyond over the moon,” Jay said. “My sister in Manchester, my sister in Kansas City, I have got a nephew in New Jersey, and all these people are sending us text messages. We haven’t been able to keep up. It’s just so fabulous.”
Jay Taylor thought of the late Sean Richardson, one of Nick’s early coaches, during the telecast. “I wish he could have seen this,” Jay said. “It breaks my heart. It would have be so cool for Sean to have been able to see this.” Jay Taylor also mentioned late Province newspaper columnist Kent (Cookie) Gilchrist, who followed Nick’s career from his junior days.
As happy as Jay Taylor is for his son, he hopes his win will mean big things for Canadian golf. “I hope this can do for Canadian golf what Mike Weir’s Masters win did (in 2003). Think of the kids who were out there watching today. This is so good for Golf Canada.”
Taylor’s wife, Andie, watched Sunday’s final round with her parents in Abbotsford. She had dropped by to visit her in-laws last week with son, Charlie, and newly arrived daughter, Harper. Jay Taylor took a photo of the three of them and sent it to Nick before the tournament began.
“I sent him a picture of Andie and Charlie and Harper and told him, ‘you have won before this thing even starts, man.’ We are so happy for him, we are so proud of him, and the family they have got now. They are doing super. All this is icing on the cake.” Nick’s mom, Darlene, added through tears: “I am so very proud of Nick. He’s am amazing dad, an amazing son.”
And as he showed on Sunday, an amazing golfer, too.