From Vegas to Hong Kong!

14 Oct

We just had an amazing few days in Las Vegas at this year’s Els for Autism Golf Challenge Grand Finale. It’s only now that we’ve got to Hong Kong that there’s been a little window of an opportunity to post this report.

Wow, it was such a great weekend and an undoubted highlight for me was observing the #GameON Autism clinics taking place at the brilliant Rio Secco Golf Club on Saturday, seeing the amazing feedback from the kids and the smiles on their faces. This time last year was the first time I got to see these clinics live and it was nice to speak to some of the parents who took their kids for the first time one year ago and have been regularly taking their kids for lessons since. This is great for golf and great for kids on the spectrum to be able to be active and have fun. The team has been able to create such an excellent and adaptable curriculum and program, in association with The First Tee and PGA of America, that allows us to have a real impact on kids’ lives in whatever city we take these #GameON Autism clinics to. It is infectious to see how much fun everyone has.

An absolute key part of the Vegas weekend every year is to highlight the great work that the Els for Autism Foundation is doing and, on this occasion, being able to show everyone the first photos on site at The Els Center of Excellence, which is currently under construction in Jupiter, Florida. We could not have progressed to this stage so quickly without the incredible support from participants, sponsors and donors in the Golf Challenge these past four years, so it is entirely appropriate that we get to thank these people in person and give them a special weekend to remember. That’s what the Grand Finale is all about. Actually there are so many people and sponsors to thank and it really was a fantastic few days, so in order to do it justice we’ll post a full report with photos on the website soon. Obviously we’d love it if it inspired you to join us in next year’s 2015 Golf Challenge.

Okay, so moving on. This week’s Hong Kong Open marks the start of a four-week stretch of tournaments for me here in Asia. We’ll be in Macau next week, then Shanghai for the two weeks after that. In between we have the official opening of the Els Club Teluk Datai, which everyone at Ernie Els Design is really excited about. All in all, it’s going to be a great month and as always my intention is trying to get another tournament win under my belt – my first of 2014 – before this season draws to a close.

I’ve visited Hong Kong before – albeit only briefly – and it made a big impression on me so it’s exciting to be back in this unique and extraordinary city. As players we’re well aware of the impressive heritage of this tournament going back to the 1950s and being held at the same golf club all those years – that in itself is very impressive – and there have been some great winners, too. As a professional golfer there are many tournaments around the world that you’d like to play in, but sometimes they don’t fit with your schedule. That’s been the case with the Hong Kong Open over the years, but this year is different and I’m grateful for the opportunity to finally come and play.

I’ve spoken to some of the guys who’ve competed here before, including Miguel [Angel Jiménez] who everyone probably knows has won the Hong Kong Open a bunch of times. They speak highly about this tournament and it looks like we’re in for a special week. Miguel is a classy guy and someone who continues to play great golf even into his 50s so he’ll be one of the favourites, but hopefully us youngsters in our 40s can give him a run for his money!

Talking of which, it’s my 45th birthday on Friday but as I said, the main focus is trying to win a golf tournament. Let’s see how we go. I actually played the Hong Kong Golf Club on a previous visit and enjoyed it very much. It’ll be fun to play it under tournament conditions.

Bye for now.

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