Ernie launches 2015 Golf Challenge

20 Feb

Ernie Els and The Els for Autism Foundation are proud to announce that the 2015 Golf Challenge, the largest international charity-driven amateur golf tournament in history, is now officially open for registration.

The Golf Challenge consists of a series of Super Regional events at top-rated courses across the US and Canada from May through October. Two-person teams will compete for a place at the Grand Finale, a two-day extravaganza including golf and entertainment in Las Vegas hosted by Ernie and Liezl Els on 13-15 November. For detailed information on how to enter, please click here.

The series tees off at the superb Trump National Doral Golf Club in Florida on 11 May and, as in previous years, takes in some of the country’s finest courses, among them major venues such as Baltusrol, Congressional, Hazeltine, Atlanta Athletic Club and the host of this year’s US Open, Chambers Bay in Washington. Also featuring on this year’s schedule are PGA Tour stops including the iconic Harbour Town Golf Links, TPC Boston and Royal Montreal Golf Club, alongside the Ernie Els-designed Hawaiian gem Hoakalei (see full schedule below).

Proceeds from the Challenge benefit Els for Autism in the US and Canada. Proceeds from the Canadian events are donated to a variety of autism-focused, non-profit organizations in the territory or province in which they are raised. Proceeds from the US events predominantly go towards the funding of a state-of-the-art autism center and hub of worldwide operations for Els for Autism; The Els Center of Excellence.

“We are delighted to celebrate the fifth year of the Golf Challenge with our family of dedicated sponsors, players and donors,” commented Ernie. “The Foundation has taken massive strides forward in the last year thanks to the support of some amazing companies and people who have taken this cause to heart; many of whom have connected to us through the Golf Challenge. It has been pretty amazing to witness the vision that Liezl and I had of creating a world-class Center start to take shape, and we are so excited to be welcoming our first students through the doors this August and taking our global outreach programs to the next level.”

2013 Els for Autism Grand Finale

Ernie added: “In addition, the Golf Challenge has already touched a lot of people through the #GameOn Autism Golf clinics. This is one initiative that is particularly close to my heart and plans are underway to develop the program even further so more individuals with autism can have access to golf.”

One unique feature of The Golf Challenge is that a team’s fundraising ability is valued as much as their performance on the golf course. Teams compete in a combined low-net event for a selection of first class regional prizes and all teams that fundraise $13,000 or more will join Ernie Els and his celebrity friends from the PGA TOUR at the series Finale in Las Vegas in November, where major prizes will be awarded to the top teams.

Each team will register online at www.e4aGolf.com, be assigned their own team page, and will be encouraged to choose an ‘Honorary Captain’, a child on the autism spectrum who they play and fundraise in honor of. Teams are able to email their page to friends, family and colleagues and ask them to donate to their team. One team raising $2,500 or more in donations will be selected to receive a 7-day ultimate IRISH LINKS golf tour to Ireland in recognition of their fundraising efforts.

Non-golfers and those unable to play in a regional event are invited to participate in the fundraising drive by joining ‘The Gallery Club’.  Members can compete in teams of one or two to raise funds and awareness for Els for Autism and earn the chance to come to Las Vegas and participate in the Finale. For more information on the Gallery Club, please email: info@e4agolf.com.

Els for Autism is excited and proud to announce that a family of highly-respected global brands are supporting Ernie in his philanthropic efforts through the 2015 Golf Challenge. Organizing Sponsors include Presenting Sponsor, SAP; Adams Golf, RBC and Wine Spectator. The Challenge is also supported by an impressive team of Contributing Sponsors including: The Boeing Company, Southwest Airlines, ECCO, The Honda Classic, Hospitality America, IRISH LINKS and Maui Jim.

2015 Tournament Schedule
11 May, Trump National Doral Golf Club, FL
11 May, Morgan Creek Golf Course, BC
13 May, Troon North Golf Club, AZ
18 May, TPC Craig Ranch, TX
19 May, Floridian National Golf Club, FL
25 May, Royal Montreal Golf Club, QC
1 June, Congressional Country Club, MD
15 June, Duke University Golf Club, NC
22 June, Rich Harvest Farms, IL
29 June, Hawktree Golf Club, ND
13 July, Baltusrol Golf Club, NJ
27 July, TPC Jasna Polana, NJ
27 July, Scarboro Golf & Country Club, ON
3 August, The Country Club at Castle Pines, CO
6 August, Hoakalei Country Club, HI
10 August, Chambers Bay, WA
17 August, Atlanta Athletic Club, GA
24 August, TPC Boston, MA
24 August, Hazeltine National Golf Club, MN
31 August, Glencoe Golf & Country Club, AB
31 August, University of Texas Golf Club, TX
3 September, Silver Creek Valley Country Club, CA
14 September, Edmonton Country Club, AB
28 September, Harbour Town Golf Links, SC
5 October, Trump National Golf Club, Jupiter, FL

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