All the latest news and updates from the Ernie Els Group.
1. President Obama praises Ernie’s charitable work for autism
During preparations for the Quicken Loans National at Congressional, members of the American and International teams from last year’s Presidents Cup were invited to the White House for a reception with President Obama, who mentioned the charitable efforts of several individual players, including Ernie. “It happens that philanthropy is a second job for many of these players,” said the President. “Ernie’s Els for Autism Foundation just broke ground on a new children’s education center in Florida. I was mentioning to Ernie that families who have an autistic child couldn’t be more thankful for the work that his foundation does, and the education and awareness that it’s brought about.” Obama then added, “We want to thank them for being such outstanding ambassadors for golf, who use their success not just on the course, but also to support worthy causes off the course.”
Ernie had brought along his daughter Samantha. “It was a great honour and an amazing experience to meet the President and get to look around the White House,” said Ernie. “Definitely one of those events that Samantha and I can now tick off our bucket list!”
Ernie later added, “That’s probably a once-in-a-lifetime experience, especially coming from South Africa. I’ve seen movies and television shows and so forth, and I must say, they do a good job because it’s quite authentic the way it looks on television. To see the real thing was amazing.”
Ernie has played on eight Presidents Cup teams for The Internationals and has compiled a solid individual record: Played 40, Won 20, Lost 18, Halved 2
The next Presidents Cup takes place at the Jack Nicklaus Golf Club Korea in South Korea on 8-11 October 2015.
2. Ernie’s record-breaking career at The Open Championship
Ernie is making his 23rd career appearance in the Open Championship at Royal Liverpool later this month and can claim one of the most impressive records in the tournament’s history. He has registered two wins and 13 top-10s in his previous 22 Opens and among his many record-breaking achievements has shot more rounds in the 60s (39) and more consecutive rounds under 70 (7) than any other player in history.
Ernie’s Magnificent Seven at The Open
1. Ernie has played in the Open Championship on 22 occasions, with two victories and 13 top-10s: 1992 (T5th), 1993 (T6th), 1996 (T2nd), 1997 (T10th), 2000 (T2nd), 2003 (T3rd), 2002 (Won), 2004 (2nd), 2006 (3rd), 2007 (T4th), 2008 (T7th), 2009 (T8th), 2012 (Won)
2. On his way to victory at Royal Lytham & St Annes in 2012, Ernie established a new record for Open rounds in the 60s, reaching a career total of 39, two more than previous leader Sir Nick Faldo.
3. Ernie was also the first man in history to shoot all four rounds in the 60s in an Open, achieved at Royal St George’s in 1993. He repeated the feat at Royal Troon in 2004.
4. Ernie has finished the Open on an under par aggregate on 14 occasions (tied best with Jack Nicklaus and Sir Nick Faldo).
5. Ernie shot 29 for the front nine at Muirfield in 2002, just one off the all-time Open Championship record.
6. Ernie holds the all-time Open record for the most consecutive rounds under 70 (7, from first round 1993 to third round 1994).
7. Ernie’s gap of ten years between wins (2002 to 2012) is the second longest gap between victories in Open history. Sir Henry Cotton holds the record with 11 years (1937 to 1948).
3. Ernie puts best foot forward with new sponsorship deal
Ernie has signed a sponsorship deal with specialty sock company, Stable 26. “As a professional golfer I take over a million steps a year in competitive play, so it’s impossible to over-estimate the importance of your feet being comfortable and well supported,” commented Ernie. “That’s why I choose Stable 26 socks. The in-built silicone pads provide extra padding where you need it most. Together with my ECCO golf shoes they help give my swing a secure foundation and ensure maximum comfort and support, literally every step of the way.”
Founded by chiropractor Daryl Sherman, Stable 26 golf socks feature a contoured elastic arch support and a hand-linked seamless toe to reduce friction. The socks eliminate negative space between a golfer’s foot and his footgear, allowing for increased comfort, fit, and stability.
About Stable 26
The name – and founding philosophy – behind Stable 26 has its roots in the anatomy of the human foot. Housing 26 structural support bones, the foot is subject to countless injuries – especially for professional athletes. As a chiropractor, Dr. Daryl Sherman understands how injuries come about, and the importance of wearing quality footgear to reduce foot trauma. Having worked with countless professional athletes throughout the course of his career, Sherman created Stable 26 to bridge the gap between athletes and their equipment, allowing for better fit, which leads to stronger stability and comfort. In short, Stable 26 allows athletes to put their best performance-enhanced foot forward. To learn more, visit www.stable26.com.
4. Support for Els For Autism Foundation has global reach
The Ernie Els designed Four Seasons Golf Club Mauritius at Anahita followed the lead of Els For Autism by last month hosting 30 children from the island’s ‘Autisme Maurice’ association for a day of golfing discovery. “I am proud to be associated with any event that helps to raise awareness for autism,” said Ernie. “There have been studies to suggest that golf is beneficial in aiding autistic children and I can think of no better location for the children to first discover the game than at the beautiful ocean-front setting of Anahita.”
Meanwhile, the third Els for Autism Golf Challenge is proving a big hit with America’s golfers. Many events were sold out well in advance and just the three tournaments at East Lake GC, Olympia Fields and Shaughnessy G&CC together raised an astonishing $400,000. All the money raised throughout the 2014 series will, as in years before, help fund the construction of the Els Center of Excellence, which broke ground in Florida this March.
In this event series, a team’s fundraising ability is valued as much as their performance on the golf course. Indeed, all teams that fundraise $13,000 or more will join Ernie and his friends from the PGA TOUR at the series Finale in Las Vegas. For more information on how to enter please visit the website: www.elsforautism.com.
Full Schedule
5 May, Floridian National Golf Club, Florida
12 May, Troon North Golf Club, Arizona
12 May, Shaughnessy Golf & Country Club, Vancouver
12 May, Trump National Doral, Florida
26 May, Royal Montreal Golf Club, Quebec
9 June, East Lake Golf Club, Atlanta
16 June, Olympia Fields Country Club, Illinois
21 June, Bully Pulpit Golf Course, North Dakota
30 June, TPC Craig Ranch, Texas
14 July, Baltusrol Golf Club, New Jersey
21 July, Chambers Bay, Washington
21 July, Glencoe Golf & Country Club, Calgary
28 July, Philadelphia Cricket Club, Philadelphia
28 July, Scarboro Golf Club, Toronto
3 August, Pinehurst Resort, North Carolina
4 August, Rockrimmon Country Club, Connecticut
11 August, Caves Valley Golf Club, Maryland
18 August, TPC Jasna Polana, New Jersey
18 August, TPC Boston, Massachusetts
25 August, Hazeltine National Golf Club, Minnesota
8 September, Harbour Town Golf Links, South Carolina
15 September, University of Texas Golf Club, Texas
22 September, Trump National Jupiter, Florida
5. Two Good Rounds Superstars: Golf Stories from the World’s Greatest Athletes
Elisa Gaudet has followed up her acclaimed ‘Two Good Rounds – 19th Hole Stories from the World’s Greatest Golfers’ with ‘Two Good Rounds Superstars: Golf Stories from the World’s Greatest Athletes’, with a foreword by Ernie Els. Gaudet spoke to over 50 elite athletes from more than 20 different sports, including Wayne Gretzky, Michael Phelps, Charles Barkley, Andy Roddick and many more. Each of the stars shares life tips, golf tips, favorite courses, cherished golf memories, dream foursomes, and favorite drinks, to name a few.
“Sport at the highest level has always fascinated me and like any keen sport’s fan I’m interested in the characters that make it to the top of their chosen discipline,” writes Ernie in the foreword. “That’s the core appeal of this book. Elisa asks each of them a series of questions that get to the heart of why they love the game of golf. It’s a fun, feel good, respectful, light-hearted look at golf and the players’ lives and personalities, a vehicle to showcase just how popular golf is with elite athletes and the enjoyment they receive spending time playing. It’s a fun read and something that as golfers we can all relate to.”
Elisa Gaudet has worked for the PGA Tour and the Tour de las Americas, prior to founding Executive Golf International. She has appeared on numerous radio and TV programs and has been a guest speaker on a variety of golf topics. She has written several golf-related articles, and her syndicated On the Lip column has been running since 2003. For more information please contact Lauren Burnstein in the Publicity Department at Skyhorse Publishing. Telephone (212) 643-6816 x 226 or email lburnstein@skyhorsepublishing.com
