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
Oct 4, 2026
It’s been another year of big announcements in the world of Ernie Els Design. The Els Club Vilamoura (right) hosted its first tour event, the inaugural Portugal Invitational, in the summer. Later this year, Oleada Golf Links on the beautiful Baja Peninsula in Mexico, will open for play. And this past week, Bridgesong (far right) was announced to the world’s media. Set across 1,000 acres of rolling Oklahoma terrain, waterways, mature trees and open prairie southwest of Oklahoma City, Bridgesong will feature an Ernie Els signature golf course and 23-acre practice and short-game facility, along with residential neighborhoods, hospitality, dining and future village amenities.
Meanwhile, representing another significant accolade for the firm, Hoakalei CC in Hawaii this week became the eighth golf course in the Ernie Els Design portfolio to host a tour event when it staged the LPGA’s LOTTE Championship. It joins The Els Club Desaru Coast in Malaysia (MENA Tour), Albany in the Bahamas (PGA TOUR’s Hero World Challenge), The Els Club Dubai (Dubai Open), The Els Club Copperleaf (Sunshine Tour’s Tshwane Open), Anahita Golf Club in Mauritius (Mauritius Golf Masters and AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open), the West Course at Wentworth (DP World Tour’s BMW PGA Championship) and The Els Club Vilamoura (PGA Champions Tour’s Portugal Invitational).
Full Ernie Els Design portfolio
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 2026
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 iconic Breakers Palm Beach (pictured).
When it comes to equipment 
the tools of my trade it has to be the best. That’s why I’m proud to be an ambassador for these brands XXIO, Cleveland Golf, Srixon Golf and Bloodline Golf. They continue to excel and innovate and I’m grateful for their support.
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.
The Ernie Els Charities SA Series 2026
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.
Sign-up for newsletters from the Ernie Els Group, featuring all the latest news from on and off the golf course.
+1k
Join the community
