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ABOUT ERNIE

Golfer, Philanthropist, Entrepreneur

Ernie Els is a former World No.1 with 80 professional victories to his name, including four Major Championships, one Senior Major, two World Golf Championships and a record seven World Matchplay titles.

Away from the golf course, Ernie has transcended his sport by virtue of his groundbreaking charitable endeavours. Ernie and his wife Liezl founded The Els for Autism Foundation in 2009, which led to the opening of The Els Center of Excellence, a world-class site hosting leading-edge programs and services for individuals with autism. In addition, Ernie founded The Ernie Els Foundation in South Africa in 1999, delivering educational assistance and golfing opportunities to young individuals predominantly from families of limited resources. Listed among its former members are tournament winners Louis Oosthuizen, Christiaan Bezuidenhout and Thriston Lawrence.

Ernie’s increasingly diverse range of business interests successfully encompass golf course design and hospitality, an award winning wine portfolio created by Ernie Els Wines in South Africa, an innovative range of pet products, and a student-athlete recruitment program.

80

Professional Career Wins

4

Major Championships

2

World Golf Championships

LATEST NEWS

What's happening on and off the golf course

October 12, 2025

Ernie registered a fifth top-5 finish in his last seven starts at last week's SAS Championship at Prestonwood CC. Ernie, a winner of the event in 2020, closed with a fine 68 in tough conditions to finish at 6-under par and runner-up. It places Ernie fourth on the money list moving into the Charles Schwab Cup playoffs starting in Richmond, Virginia, on October 17. The season-ending Charles Schwab Cup Championship will be played at Phoenix CC, Arizona, from November 13-16.

Away from the tournament scene, Ernie used the previous week off to pay a visit to Bridgesong in Blanchard, Oklahoma, a world-class resort-destination where an Ernie Els Design golf course is under construction. It is expected to open for play in 2027.

Read the full story here
EQUIPMENT

What's in the bag?

Here’s what’s in my bag for the current Champions Tour season.

The Els For Autism Golf Challenge 2025.

The Golf Challenge is a series of golf tournaments to benefit Els for Autism. The Regional Event Series is held annually at top-rated golf courses across the US and Canada, concluding with a Grand Finale which this year will be at the spectacular Royal Blue GC at Baha Mar in the Bahamas (pictured). Click below for the full event schedule and information on how to take part.

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ERNIE ELS DESIGN

Beauty by Design

The international scope of Ernie’s career wins is mirrored in the global reach of his designs. Stunning, award-winning signature golf courses and renovations are making a big impact all around the world, while staying true to the firm’s founding principle of leaving the lightest of footprints on the landscape.

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Europe

The Els Club Vilamoura, Algarve, Portugal

Ernie says, “There are a lot of great holes on this golf course, a lot of memorable holes that are going to make golfers want to come back again and again. The location is unbelievable, the people are great, very friendly, the food is great, the weather is great. Anyone who spends time at The Els Club Vilamoura is going to experience world-class amenities literally every step of the way.”
South Africa

Zimbali Lakes, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Ernie says, “Projects of this magnitude are once-in-a-lifetime opportunities. The location is incredible - beautiful open spaces, right by the ocean, and there’s no question that property is booming here. It’s all world class and that’s what our brand stands for; that’s what we showcase to everyone around the world when we create a golfing destination of the quality of Zimbali Lakes.”
Indonesia

Lido Lakes, West Java, Indonesia

Ernie says, “It’s such a beautiful piece of land with incredible views, so naturally we wanted to work with that and create a golf course that goes with the flow and makes the most of this spectacular natural topography. Holes work in multiple directions, with water bodies and natural features. It really looks like it belongs, which is one of our core philosophies at Ernie Els Design.”

The Ernie Els Charities SA Series 2025.

The Ernie Els Charities SA Series golf days are held at some of South Africa’s finest golf courses, with all funds raised benefitting Els for Autism programs and services in Ernie’s homeland.

Click here for more details

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