On the eve of the US Open 2017, 1997 winner Ernie Els has been named as one of four Muhammad Ali Sports Humanitarian Award nominees.
The awards are presented by ESPN, and the winner will be announced on 11 July. The other finalists are Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald, Calgary Flames defense man Mark Giordano and New York Mets outfielder Curtis Granderson.
Statement on Ernie Els:
In 2009, Ernie Els and his wife Liezl established the Els for Autism Foundation shortly after their son, Ben, was diagnosed with autism. The couple have donated millions of their own money, and through dedicated fundraising they opened the first components of The Els Center of Excellence. The Center, based in Jupiter, Florida, serves the local, national and international autism communities and is a game-changing resource in the field. To date, his programmes have served over 3,647 individuals with autism, and their families, from 13 countries, focusing on education, global outreach, therapy, research, recreation and adult services. His programs extend to the links as well with his innovative #GameON Autism Golf programme, which encourages participants to learn golf skills, while practicing specific autism learning concepts, including communication, emotional regulation, motor and social skills.
In 2015, The Big Easy won the PGA Tour’s Payne Stewart Award given to the tour pro who best demonstrates sportsmanship, character and charity.
