All the latest news from the world of Ernie Els.
1. The Els Center of Excellence welcomes its first students
The Els Center of Excellence, currently being built in the heart of the Limestone Creek area of Jupiter, FL, welcomed its first students on Monday August 17 when it opened the first two components of the Center – The Lower School and The Els Center of Excellence Auditorium Building. The milestone was marked by a ribbon cutting ceremony led by Ernie and Liezl Els (pictured above) and attended by major donors, local dignitaries, supporters and media.
The Lower School, which will be known as ‘The Learning Center at The Els Center of Excellence’, will provide public charter school education for up to 150 children from ages 3-14, and, in-line with the entire campus, has been specifically designed to create a learning environment that is suited to children on the spectrum. This includes features such as special LED lighting to mitigate behavioral issues that can be triggered by standard fluorescents; specially designed learning labs for life-kills and vocational training; and a sensory integration room to foster sensory and motor development. Through the use of interactive technology and observation rooms the Lower School will also provide an invaluable resource for applied research studies, allowing resident experts, visiting scholars and researchers to examine issues and develop practical approaches to the wide range of challenges that individuals on the spectrum face.
The state-of-the-art Auditorium Building, specifically designed to help facilitate the dissemination and gathering of applied research findings and best practices, will enable the Foundation to take its global outreach activities to the next level. The building includes a 300-seat auditorium equipped with video-conferencing technology, a green-room, 3 smaller video-conferencing suites and additional office space to house the Els for Autism Foundation development and programming staff, visiting scholars and researchers.
These are the first components that are being delivered of a 26-acre campus that, once complete, will include an Upper School (with capacity for an additional 150 students ages 14-22), extensive sports and outdoor recreational facilities (including a gymnasium, swimming pool, golf practice facility, athletics field, and play courts), a cafeteria, a medical and professional services building and an adult services component.
Even before the dedicated buildings are in place the Center is bringing together the critical elements of early intervention, education, sports and leisure, applied research, transition to adulthood, medical and professional services, and adult services all on one campus. Having all the essential elements on one campus, with the integrated programing and continuity of service that this allows, will not only be a tremendous resource for the children in the local area of Palm Beach County, but positions the Center as a game-changing resource for autism. Using the Center as its base, Els for Autism will be developing and rolling out innovative, evidence-based programs for families and individuals across the life span. These programs are focused on making best practices in education and therapy available to children, families and autism experts not just locally but across the U.S. and internationally.
Speaking at the ceremony Ernie commented: “This dream has been in the pipeline since 2009 and when the first kids, including our son Ben, walked through the door on Monday it was an incredibly special and proud moment. We have only reached this point thanks to the collective support of a huge number of individuals and organizations. Whether people have donated $1 or $1million everyone who has supported us has literally been a building block for this Center.”
Afterwards Liezl Els, credited by her husband as “the power behind this whole thing,” spoke movingly about seeing their dream of a world-class Center for Excellence come to fruition. Liezl explained that their goal was “to make our Center and programs accessible to people around the world. This Center is going to give our children the space to explore and express themselves. Over time they have had to make do with whatever they could get.”
Liezl added “We wanted to build a facility where these kids could realize their potential…and so that we could show the world just what our kids are made of, how strong they are, how talented they are and how far they can really go in life and what a massive contribution they can make to society.”
The Foundation’s fundraising campaign is now focused on raising the capital to complete the Upper School, the sports facilities, the medical and professional services building and the adult services component. Donations can be made online at www.elsforautism.com and by check (made payable to ‘Els for Autism’) and addressed to: Els for Autism, The Els Center of Excellence, 18370 Limestone Creek Rd, Jupiter, FL 33458.
2. Big Easy Winebar & Grill to open at Hilton Durban in October
Hilton Durban has announced that it will be partnering with Ernie Els when it opens the Big Easy Winebar & Grill in October. Speaking from his base in Florida, Ernie commented, “The ethos of the Big Easy Winebar & Grill is showcasing a seasonally driven menu combining fresh-from-the-grill food and local specialties in a fun, relaxed environment; somewhere to enjoy time with friends and family over a great bottle of wine and a meal. That’s what I tend to look for personally in a dining experience, so this is my kind of restaurant in every sense.
“We’re delighted to partner with one of the world’s most iconic hotel brands, Hilton, and in Durban we have another wonderful location with its laid-back vibe and idyllic weather. Altogether it’s a great fit and we’re sure this will be as successful as our existing Big Easy Winebar & Grill outlets in Stellenbosch and The Els Club Dubai.”
Big Easy Winebar & Grill will be located in a prominent location just off the lobby of Hilton Durban and also directly accessible from the Durban Convention Centre plaza. The Els influence can be seen throughout with the many personal touches that have been introduced. The Lounge area is stocked with wines from Ernie Els Wines portfolio and showcases a feature wall filled with golfing memorabilia, replica trophies and action images from Ernie’s 70-plus professional tournament victories; while in the Private Dining Room diners have the opportunity to enjoy a more intimate, yet still comfortable environment. The addition of Big Easy Winebar & Grill is expected to bring a resurgence of energy to the popular property, currently the only five star hotel in Durban’s CBD.
For more information visit the website: http://www.bigeasywinebarandgrill.com/
3. Ernie to be honoured with the Payne Stewart Award 2015
The PGA TOUR and Southern Company have announced that Ernie Els will be the recipient of the 2015 Payne Stewart Award for devotion to improving the lives of those with autism spectrum disorder (Els for Autism) as well as development of junior golf talent in South Africa (Ernie Els & Fancourt Foundation). Ernie will be honored at a ceremony on Tuesday, September 22, in conjunction with the TOUR Championship by Coca-Cola in Atlanta and televised live on Golf Channel as part of a GolfCentral special from 7-8 p.m. ET.
The Payne Stewart Award is presented annually to a professional golfer who best exemplifies Stewart’s steadfast values of character, charity and sportsmanship. Stewart, an 11-time winner on the PGA TOUR and World Golf Hall of Fame member, died tragically the week of the TOUR Championship in 1999. Southern Company, the “Official Energy Company of the PGA Tour and the Champions Tour,” was the TOUR Championship sponsor the year of Stewart’s passing. A year later, the PGA TOUR created the Payne Stewart Award in his honor, and Southern Company has supported the annual presentation since its inception. Past winners have all distinguished themselves through their respect for the game, the TOUR’s tradition of charity and their ability to make a positive impact in the lives of others.
“I have so many fond memories of Payne and always had the greatest respect for him as a golfer and as a person and I think this award is a wonderful way to honor his memory and the values that he stood for,” commented Ernie. “To be considered worthy of receiving such an award makes me feel proud and very humble. It really means a lot. Of course, the work that we do is a massive team effort and I thank my wife Liezl and everyone at the foundations for their work and commitment as well as all the individuals and corporations that support us in helping improve the lives of kids, young adults and families who need and deserve our help. Thank you also to everyone at the PGA TOUR and to Southern Company for the incredibly generous donation that will help us in our ongoing mission to support causes close to our hearts.”
“Ernie is a legendary figure in our sport, both on and off the golf course,” said PGA TOUR Commissioner Tim Finchem. “His 70 victories across the globe speak for themselves, but his commitment to using his talents and celebrity to improve lives has made him a true Hall of Famer. It’s only fitting that we announce this award on the heels of an amazing milestone in his charitable work through Els for Autism, as Ernie and Liezl celebrated the grand opening of the first two buildings of The Els Center of Excellence on Monday. The number of lives that will be – and have already been – impacted through his passion and dedication to this cause is immeasurable. Ernie’s name belongs on the roster of distinguished names who have won the Payne Stewart Award before him, and he sets a high bar for those who aspire to be named after him.”
Southern Company Chairman, President and CEO Thomas A. Fanning said, “Southern Company is proud to join the PGA TOUR in recognizing Els for making a difference beyond the golf course. Ernie’s commitment and leadership in serving others align with our company’s values and honors Payne Stewart’s enduring legacy.”
In addition to a sculpture by Bob Pack presented to the recipient, the Payne Stewart Award is accompanied by an annual Payne Stewart Award Grant made possible by Southern Company. The $500,000 grant supports several initiatives in Stewart’s name and is distributed as follows: $100,000 to Payne and Tracey Stewart’s primary charity, The Stewart Family Foundation; $100,000 in Stewart’s honor to The First Tee of the Ozarks located in Missouri at Kids Across America, which is affiliated with Kanakuk Kamps; and $300,000 to a charity designated by the winner. Els has chosen Els for Autism and the Ernie Els & Fancourt Foundation.
Els is the 18th recipient of the award, joining a distinguished group of respected golfers including Sir Nick Faldo, who was recognized in 2014, and the inaugural recipients Byron Nelson, Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer (2000). Other recipients include Peter Jacobsen (2013), Steve Stricker (2012), David Toms (2011), Tom Lehman (2010), Kenny Perry (2009), Davis Love III (2008), Hal Sutton (2007), Gary Player (2006), Brad Faxon (2005), Jay Haas (2004), Tom Watson (2003), Nick Price (2002) and Ben Crenshaw (2001).
4. Ernie Els Wines launches new international Wine Club
Ernie Els Wines has launched a new Wine Club to create a great way for people to enjoy the company’s full portfolio of wines in their homes, with the convenience of delivery to the door. One of the main focuses will be special ‘inner-circle’ offers, older vintage releases, and other great member-only benefits. The overriding goal is creating genuine value for club members to keep them engaged and fully able to enjoy the world of Ernie Els Wines. Membership benefits include:
– 15 per cent discount on Cellar Door Prices on all wines.
– Early access to new vintages and the option on older vintage releases.
– Regular special wine offers.
– Unlimited complimentary wine tasting at Ernie Els Wines for club member and one guest.
– The option to send wine directly from Ernie Els Wines as a gift to family, friends or clients.
– Invitations to local and countrywide tastings, dinners and events.
5. Back-to-back top-3s in Majors by former EEFF members
Louis Oosthuizen and Branden Grace once again shone a light on the Ernie Els & Fancourt Foundation [EEFF] in the final two Majors of the year. The duo, both former members of the EEFF, notched up back-to-back top-3 finishes; Oosthuizen finishing runner-up in the Open Championship at St Andrews and Grace claiming solo third place at the PGA Championship at Whistling Straits.
“Louis and Branden are an inspiration to a generation of youngsters back home in South Africa,” commented Ernie, “not least the current members of our Foundation. For them to see former members like Louis and Branden competing at the very top of the game shows what can be done; that’s the strongest possible motivation to work hard and strive to fulfil your dreams.”
Among the current membership at the Foundation is Ian Snyman, a multiple winner and the number one ranked amateur golfer in the country. Another member, 16-year old Luca Filippi has won five times on the SA junior amateur circuit this year, including victory in the Western Province Under-23s Championship! Earlier this year Jovan Rebula made it to the final of the South African Amateur Championship.
For all the latest news from the Ernie Els & Fancourt Foundation please click here.
