This is my final report of 2015 and we begin with a big thank you to everyone who took part in last week’s Ernie Els Invitational at Fancourt, which raises funds for The Ernie Els & Fancourt Foundation in South Africa.
As always, we had wonderful support from friends, sponsors, fellow Tour pros and stars from the world of sport, all coming together to support the Ernie Els & Fancourt Foundation [EEFF] as they continue to help change the lives of young South Africans. The event raised significant funds for the Foundation and thanks to all of those who provided auction items and also to those who bid. Congratulations also to the winning team of Johann Rupert, Rurik Goebel, Chris Pottgeitter and Schalk Burger. They managed to pip my team by a point with a magnificent 97 points on the second day.
We also played a unique team format where 4 fourballs played alternate shot elimination over 3 holes, with the winning teams moving on to a grand final up the 18th hole. I teed off on 18 for my team and proceeded to hit my worst tee shot of the day and left my team with some serious work, but they played some unbelievable shots to give our Chairman of the Foundation, Moss Ngoasheng, a birdie putt which he duly holed! (click here to see the video). It is a pressurised format with 8 fourballs playing the 18th hole at the same time and with all the other teams eliminated watching on. Former EEFF member, Branden Grace, won the pro’s event with some more scintillating golf. All in all a great event!
Throughout 2015 our current EEFF members have been showing great personal development and achievement and we have, in fact, written an overview specifically about their year; please click here for the full story.
Naturally, at this time of the year we’re inclined to reflect on the last 12 months and for me it was really a mixed bag with some amazing highlights away from the course, but with one of my most disappointing years on the course. However, I am excited about the upcoming 2016 season and starting the year at the BMW SA Open hosted by City of Ekurhuleni at Glendower GC from 7-10 January. We’ve worked hard on my game and my fitness levels to try to ensure I come out of the blocks fast in the New Year and then push on and have a strong season, contending for tournament wins and Majors.
On a broader note, I want to thank all of my sponsors for their continued support and friendship. I am lucky to have such a family of sponsors and partners who support not only me but also our philanthropic efforts. I am proud to be an Ambassador for them and promote and showcase their good work and brands across the world.
Moving away from the golf course, we can reflect with immense pride on a wonderful year in the various business and charitable endeavours that I’m blessed to be involved with. I hope you’ll forgive me as we take this opportunity to mention some highlights and send a few heartfelt thank you messages to special people, partners and organisations.
In particular, it’s been an incredible year at The Els for Autism Foundation. We began 2015 with the strongest ever field for the seventh Els for Autism Pro Am at Old Palm in Palm Beach Gardens (pictured below), brilliantly supported as always by our friend Marvin Shanken at Wine Spectator and Cigar Aficionado. Our Pro Am in New York in August was also a success and the team then exceeded our 2015 Golf Challenge fundraising target and enjoyed another spectacular Grand Finale in Las Vegas alongside our extended family of friends, golfers, donors, sponsors and partners. The standout moment of the year without a doubt, though, was the ribbon cutting ceremony on August 17th to mark the opening of the first two buildings at The Els Center of Excellence. Honestly, it was one of the proudest days of my life and I know Liezl and everyone on the team felt the same way, too.
Our ongoing work through Els for Autism and The Ernie Els & Fancourt Foundation was obviously at the heart of me receiving the Payne Stewart Award in September. Of course, everything we do there is a massive team effort so I have to thank my wife Liezl and everyone at the Foundations for their continued hard 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.
Meanwhile, at Ernie Els Design we had another strong year, one of the highlights being a trip to Asia in October taking in site visits to our first ever Els Performance Golf Academy located at Ecopark in Vietnam, and to a superb new golf course design project at the beautiful Lido Lakes in Jakarta. We also toured Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen for a very enjoyable couple of days with Chairman Du Sha and the rest of the team at one of my sponsors, Pacific Links International. All in all it was a hectic few weeks, taking in quite a few different cities and countries and meeting some amazing people and experiencing new cultures. It is certainly a trip that I will always remember.
Personally it was also a big honour for me to be voted ‘Designer of the Year’ at the 2015 World Golf Awards, where The Els Club Teluk Datai (pictured below) was voted the ‘Best Golf Course’ in Asia and Malaysia, while the Four Seasons Resort Mauritius at Anahita, home to another of our golf courses, won ‘Indian Ocean’s Best Golf Hotel’. Such awards obviously shine the spotlight on our golf courses, which is great news, but they are also a big pat on the back for the whole team at Ernie Els Design. This past decade or so we have worked with great clients and their projects and that continues to be the way forward for us as we steadily grow our portfolio of courses right across the globe. When I look at the projects on our books, and those currently in the pipeline, it’s really exciting times for us.
The end of the year brought another highlight when the PGA TOUR visited Albany in the Bahamas and hosted Tiger’s Hero World Challenge. Albany (pictured below) became the fifth golf course in our Design portfolio to host a professional tour event, joining The Els Club Dubai, The Els Club Copperleaf, Wentworth’s West Course, and Anahita Four Seasons Golf Resort, which is also hosting the 2016 AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open. So that is PGA TOUR, European Tour, Sunshine Tour, Asian Tour and MENA Tour events held at Ernie Els Design golf courses.
High percentage ratings is something we strive hard to achieve at Ernie Els Wines and this year was no exception, the highlight probably being another maximum 5-star rating in the prestigious Platter Wine Guide for our Ernie Els CWG 2013, closely followed by three 4.5-star ratings for the Ernie Els Signature 2012, Ernie Els Proprietor’s Cabernet Sauvignon 2013 and Ernie Els Proprietor’s Blend 2013. The fact that almost 40 per cent of our whole portfolio is on a 4.5 or 5 star level is really pleasing for me and shows that the quality is right up there. Great news there, then!
This year we’ve been encouraged by strong sales figures and have broken all previous sales records leading into Christmas. We have a great network of partners around the world and this year have enjoyed continued support from our established markets, but are also optimistic about blossoming growth in some new territories. This year we have also re-vamped our wine club offering and I invite you to sign up to that and enjoy the extensive list of exclusive members only benefits; click here for more information.
Anyway, hats off to our team at the winery. They’re dedicated, talented and they seriously punch above their weight. We’re competing with – and beating – many of the wine industry’s ‘big boys’ now and the key thing is, all the elements are in place for Ernie Els Wines to go from strength to strength. That’s exciting for me and for everyone at the winery.
Just before I was about to post this report we heard the news that the Big Easy Winebar & Grill at The Els Club Dubai had been voted the best food & beverage outlet at the Middle East Golf Awards. I’ve dined there quite a few times during my visits to Dubai and the food and service are truly outstanding. Thank you guys; you’re doing a phenomenal job.
We now have three Big Easy Winebar & Grill outlets – in Dubai, Stellenbosch and Durban – with another two opening in the next 12 months. This video from the official launch in Durban gives you a flavour of what we’re offering. Don’t forget, all of our restaurants, as well as the Ernie Els Winery, have special menus and various events to celebrate the festive season, so if you’re planning some meals with family and friends in the coming weeks why not check that out. Click here for more information.
On that festive note, all that remains is for me to thank you for your continued support and to wish you all a happy and healthy New Year. I’ll write again in the build-up to the BMW SA Open hosted by City of Ekurhuleni at Glendower GC from 7-10 January. As mentioned, I’ll be tournament host that week, in addition to trying to win our national Open for the sixth time.
Follow me on Twitter @TheBig_Easy.
