A life-size Ernie Els cutout has become all the rage on the Els For Autism circuit around the country as golfers happily pose for a picture with their hero.
‘Els’ found himself surrounded by golfers taking part in the March leg of the Drive to the SA Open.
Participants knew a win on the day would mean they’d proceed to the Grand Finale at Fancourt in November, with the winners there getting to play at the pro-am before the 2018 SA Open.
And it is there that they’d be able to swap photos of the cardboard version of Els with meeting the legend in the flesh, as the South African is the tournament host and ambassador for one of the oldest and most prestigious national opens in the world.
The next Els for Autism day will take place across the border, at the Omeya Golf Club, some 30km outside Windhoek in Namibia.
The course was designed by Peter Matkovich, and golfers at Omeya can expect one of the greatest golfing experiences in Africa – something that will equal anything in the world – when they tee up.
There are 18 holes set in true African bushveld, surrounded by camel-thorn trees, beautiful mountains and breathtaking views, not to mention the sunrises and sunsets.
The course offers a great experience for all levels of golfers. The novice and average players are able to go around the course with its wide playing areas and safe options on some of the more punitive holes, and enjoy a course with great balance.
In the meantime, enjoy the selection of photos from the March event, which was held at Pretoria Country Club.
From the mag:
HOW IT STARTED
The Els for Autism Foundation was established in 2009 by Ernie and Liezl Els to focus on autism, a couple of years after discovering their son Ben was severely affected by the disorder, which impacts one in 68 people worldwide. Els for Autism aims to provide affected families with best-practice interventions and support. In 2011, Ernie and Liezl initiated a project to create a service that would give lower-resourced families of children on the spectrum in South Africa free access to effective treatment and the Ernie Els Centre for Autism was born.
HOW CAN READERS HELP?
Els for Autism funds its centre mainly through golf days, which form part of the ‘Els for Autism Drive to the SA Open’. Readers can enter these golf days:
11 May: Zimbali
18 May: Pearl Valley
25 May: Houghton GC
1 June: Royal Jhb East
22 June: St Francis Links
29 June: Randpark GC
21 July: Oubaai
27 July: Copperleaf
31 August: Kempton Park
14 September: Fancourt members
28 September: Mount Edgecombe CC
20 October: Silver Lakes
26 October: Ebotse Links
2-3 November: Fancourt (final)
CONTACT
The Children’s Memorial Institute (Gate 13), cnr Empire Rd and Joubert St Ext, Braamfontein 2011
Tel: (011) 484-7254
ernieelscentre4autism.co.za
– This article first appeared in the April issue of Compleat Golfer
