Cascades golf players will return to action later this year. (UFV Cascades photo)

Cascades golf players will return to action later this year. (UFV Cascades photo)

UFV Cascades golfers returning to the links

Canada West announces plans for 2020 championships will proceed

The University of the Fraser Valley Cascades golf team will be the only school varsity squad competing under the UFV banner for the remainder of 2020.

Canada West announced on July 15 that via a vote of all 17 members that conference competition will proceed this fall.

Whether the championships are ultimately staged is contingent on health and safety considerations across Western Canada, as British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba continue to manage COVID-19 in their respective provinces.

The CW Golf Championships, hosted by UBC Okanagan in Kelowna are scheduled for the Okanagan Golf Club, Oct. 2 to 4.

Canada West had previously announced on June 8 that all first term team sports – soccer, football, field hockey, and rugby 15s – wouldn’t proceed, and that all two-term sports – basketball, volleyball, and hockey – would start no sooner than January 2021 with reduced schedules. A decision on the commencement of two-term sports and second term championship sports – including wrestling – will be made no later than Oct. 8. Of the sports listed, UFV competes in soccer, basketball, volleyball and wrestling.

Golf has weathered the COVID-19 pandemic better than most sports, as an outdoor activity where physical distancing is relatively easy to maintain. Golf courses have been able to remain open in B.C. during the pandemic, with modifications.

“I’d like to thank our COVID-19 Task Force along with the scheduled hosts of our fall championship sports for the work that went into informing today’s vote,” stated CW President Clint Hamilton. “While we are disappointed that cross country champions won’t be crowned this fall, we will proceed optimistically with plans for the CW Golf Championships and remain hopeful for delivering swimming in the second term.”

RELATED: No competition for UFV Cascades sports teams till 2021

Abbotsford News