Ernie and Liezl host glittering Grand Finale celebration in Las Vegas
The Els for Autism Golf Challenge has raised $6.5 million for autism thanks to over 5,000 rounds of golf and over 15,000 donors pledging funds since its inaugural 2011 series. With 2013 being the most successful year to date with nearly $2.5million raised this year alone.
The Golf Challenge, an international, season long, amateur golf series comprising of 20+ events across the U.S., Canada between April-September, hosted its 2013 Grand Finale in Las Vegas on 13-14 October. Funds raised from the Golf Challenge go towards the creation of a virtual and physical Els Center of Excellence in Jupiter, FL, scheduled to break ground in Spring 2014. The Center will provide a uniquely designed educational program for children on the autism spectrum ages 3-21, as well as a physical hub for a multi-faceted global outreach program that will make therapeutic best practices available to children on the autism spectrum; both in the U.S. and internationally.
After six months of competition, on and off the course, Ernie announced the Highest Fundraising teams of the 2013 Els for Autism Golf Challenge at a fabulous Awards Ceremony and South African Braai hosted by Presenting Sponsor, SAP. This year Tim Shreckengost and Steve Sheppard of Team Lucas’ Steps topped the tournament’s Donation Leaderboard with an incredible $46,322.25 and were awarded ‘The Els Cup’ by Ernie and Liezl Els. Runners-up in the fundraising competition included John McGuire of ‘Team Goldman for Payton’, followed by Team Joel Baxter, comprising of husband and wife team Robert and Dorothy Marziotto, from Jupiter, Fla. They were among 70 two-person teams that qualified for the Grand Finale by raising over $13,000.
Ernie Els, whose 11-year old son Ben is severely touched by autism, and who set up the Els for Autism Foundation in 2009 with his wife Liezl, commented: “I want to congratulate all of the teams for their magnificent fundraising efforts this year, in particular Team Lucas’ Steps. It was great to have the opportunity to thank them for their phenomenal support, not just this year but for the last three years. The passion and dedication that this team brings to the event series each year absolutely captures the spirit of the Golf Challenge; they are an inspirational group of people.”
Els added: “Thanks to the magnificent support that the Challenge has received the Foundation is set for its most exciting year to date in 2014, with the ground-breaking for the Center of Excellence scheduled for Spring. In the meantime, 2013 has had its own successes with the launch of the #GameON Autism clinic program. I was lucky enough to attend and help with one of the clinics at the Finale in Las Vegas and the positive impact that this clinic had on the kids was something very special to witness.”
Thanks to the Golf Challenge’s generous family of sponsors, led by Presenting Sponsor SAP, the Grand Finale weekend itself proved an unforgettable experience for all the teams who stepped up to the challenge to help Ernie in his fight against autism. Finalists not only experienced a remarkable series of speakers at the Annual Els for Autism Seminar but they enjoyed tournament golf at the area’s most prestigious courses including the opportunity to see Ernie and some of his friends from the PGA TOUR in action.
Organizing Sponsors for the 2012 Els for Autism Golf Challenge included SAP, Callaway, RBC, Wine Spectator Breitling USA and the Trump Organization. These companies were absolutely critical in the delivery of this innovative series of fundraising events.
Press Release
Click here to read the full Press Release
More Information
Visit www.elsforautism.com
Donations
Make checks to Els for Autism and address to: Els for Autism, 3900 Military Trail, Suite 200, Jupiter, FL. 33458, or donate online at: www.elsforautism.com
Contacts at Els for Autism
Mary Kay Willson
561 252 6023
marykay.willson@ernieels.com
Lucy Cotton
561 578 0532
lucy.cotton@ernieels.com
