Bell Pay It Forward Givers

Iowa State University Men’s Golf Team
Ames, Iowa

Recipient

Andy Boyle

The Need

Iowa State’s golf team put together a big rally late in the day to win the inaugural Bell Bank Pay It Forward Collegiate golf tourney in Phoenix. Uniquely, the tournament’s team and individual champions received not only the expected winner’s trophy, but also a check from Bell Bank to pay it forward to someone in need.

As the players and coaches thought carefully about the impact they could have with their $5,000 Pay It Forward gift, the ISU golfers rallied around Andy Boyle, a longtime employee at the Harvester Golf Club, where the team frequently plays near Ames, Iowa.

Andy, who always welcomes players to the shop and knows all their names, was undergoing treatment in Minnesota for some health issues.

The Impact

At first, says Iowa State men’s golf coach Andrew Tank, the team was just excited about how they had come together to win the tournament and the positives they could draw from their preseason victory.

But then, the coach adds, the Pay It Forward aspect “got real.” As the team talked about making the greatest impact they could with their Pay It Forward gift, one person kept rising to the top, and that was Andy.

“Once we thought about it, it was a slam dunk,” says Coach Tank, choking up as he spoke of what Andy means to the team. His call to Andy, notes the coach, rendered the Harvester employee pretty speechless. Presenting the check was emotional for the coaches and team, with several former players also showing up for the occasion.

“Andy is really part of our team,” said the coach, turning to Andy: “We’re rooting for you.”

Smiles and nods from the team said it all, as Andy simply shook his head and said, “Thank you.”

Through the Pay It Forward program, Bell gives employees money each year to donate to people in need and causes they care about.