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The Ernie Els Foundation

The Ernie Els Foundation (EEF) was founded in 1999 with the purpose of identifying and assisting young talented individuals, in golf, predominantly from families of limited resources and to deliver to them educational assistance and playing opportunities in order to produce successful young leaders and develop their playing ability to its full potential.

From the beginning of 2010 the members reverted to staying at home with their families. They are coached by their local PGA teaching professionals in consultation with the management of the EEF.

The members participate in tournaments locally and around the country, the reasonable costs of which are covered by the EEF.

The EEF changed its focus from a junior to an adult amateur program in 2015.

The EEF members must further their studies and the Foundation will contribute towards the costs thereof.

Since its inception, the EEF has continually evolved, always maintaining its three key focus areas:

Golf
Education
Life Skills.

CRITERIA FOR MEMBERSHIP TO THE PROGRAM
Inclusion onto the program is by invitation only and will only be considered if the applicant satisfies the following criteria:

He or she must:

Be a South African citizen.
Attend a high school or a sports academy that offers full time high-school education in teacher-assisted classrooms (no home schooling, etc).
Have a stroke average of 75 or less.
Be prepared to be an ambassador of the EEF.
The EEF reserves the right to appoint a member who might not necessarily qualify within the strict parameters of the criteria as laid out.

Membership of the EEF is on a renewable one-year basis and it is performance based.

CONCLUSION
The Educational, Coaching and Life Skills programs are designed to develop a well-rounded, yet competitive individual who will, during his or her time on the program, be encouraged to play competitive golf, qualify him/herself and participate positively within his or her community.

NOTE: For further information, please contact Foundation CEO Hannes van Niekerk by email hannes@ernieels.com.

Member History

Among the roll-call of former foundation members are many successful Tour professionals including Open Champion Louis Oosthuizen and multiple DP World Tour winners Branden Grace and Christiaan Bezuidenhout.

2024

Crystal Beukes
Cara Ford
Nomkhosi Mthiyane
Amanda Biyela
Lumkile Mantshiyo
Thobelani Magwaza
Timothy Daniels
Devon Valentine (152)
Jean-Pierre (JP) van der Watt (153)

* Girls’ names highlighted in bold
* In brackets indicates membership number

2023

Crystal Beukes
Cara Ford
Demi Flanagan
Nomkhosi Mthiyane
Celiwe Biyela
Letsoso Letsai
Altin van der Merwe
Timothy Daniels (147)
Thobelani Magwaza (148)
Lumkile Mantshiyo (149)
Pieter Rossouw (150)
Ivan Verster (151)

* Girls’ names highlighted in bold

* In brackets indicates membership number

2022

Thamara Sandys
Crystal Beukes
Cara Ford
Demi Flanagan
Nomkhosi Mthiyane
Celiwe Biyela
Thabiso Magwaza
Boipelo Raphiri
Christiaan Burke (146)
Letsoso Letsai
Kyle de Beer
Altin van der Merwe

2021

Thamara Sandys (141)
Crystal Beukes
Cara Ford
Demi Flanagan
Larissa du Preez
Nomkhosi Mthiyane (142)
Celiwe Biyela (143)
Aneurin Gounden
Thabiso Magwaza
Kifentse Nukeri
Boipelo Raphiri
Phuti Khokane (144)
Letsoso Letsai
Kyle de Beer
Altin van der Merwe (145)

2020

Luca Filippi
Siyanda Mwandla
Thabiso Magwaza
Aneurin Gounden
Kifentse Nukeri
Therion Nel
Letsoso Letsai
Boipelo Raphiri
Fanelesibonge Hlophe
Kyle de Beer
Cole Stevens (136)
Larissa du Preez
Demi Flanagan
Kaijuree Moodley (137)
Thamara Sandys (138)
Crystal Beukes (139)
Cara Ford (140)

2019

Luca Filippi
Deon Germishuys
Siyanda Mwandla
Thabiso Magwaza
Karabo Mokoena
Aneurin Gounden
Steven le Roux
Kifentse Nukeri
Therion Nel
Letsoso Letsai (129)
Boipelo Raphiri (130)
Fanelesibonge Hlophe (131)
Kyle de Beer (132)
Zethu Myeki
Larissa du Preez
Kajal Mistry (133)
Demi Flanagan (134)
Shanice de Gee (135)

2018

Deon Germishuys (125)
Kifentse Nukeri (126)
Keegan McLachlan (127)
Thabiso Magwaza (128)
Luca Filippi
Keelan van Wyk
Siyanda Mwandla
Lwazi Gqira
Aneurin Gounden
Karabo Mokoena
Steven le Roux
Tumelo Molloyi
Therion Nel
Zethu Myeki
Larissa du Preez
Zanele Mazibuko

2017

Luca Filippi
Keelan van Wyk
Clifford Thompson
Siyanda Mwandla
Lwazi Gqira
Nyameko Heshu
Aneurin Gounden
Karabo Mokoena
Keelan Africa
Franklyn Manchest (120)
Steven le Roux (121)
Tumelo Molloyi
Therion Nel (122)
Zethu Myeki
Kaleigh Telfer
Larissa du Preez (123)
Zanele Mazibuko (124)

2016

Nyameko Heshu
Luyanda Mdanda
Jovan Rebula
David Meyers
Aneurin Gounden
Karabo Mokoena
Keelan van Wyk
Luca Filippi
Clifford Thompson
Siyanda Mwandla (A)
Nkosinathi Dauwa (A)
Neswill Croy (A)
Fezekile Kana (A)
Lwazi Gqira (A)
Keelan Africa (A)
Kaleigh Telfer
Zetu Myeki (A)
Cameron Morlee

2015

Nyameko Heshu
Lonene Khoza
Luyanda Mdanda
Jovan Rebula
David Meyers
Aneurin Gounden
Karabo Mokoena
Dylan Jacobs
Keelan van Wyk
Luca Filippi
Clifford Thompson
Siyanda Mwandla (A)
Nkosinathi Dauwa (A)
Neswill Croy (A)
Ian Snyman (A)
Fezekile Kana (A)
Lwazi Gqira (A)
Keelan Africa (A)
Kaleigh Telfer
Bianca Theron (A)
Zetu Myeki (A)

2014

Chandler Shaw (110)
Nyameko Heshu
Chesley Gamba
Clint Jansen (111)
Lonene Khoza (112)
Luyanda Mdanda (113)
Jovan Rebula
David Meyers
Anuerin Gounden
Keelan Africa
Karabo Mokoena
Dylan Jacobs
Keelan van Wyk
Luca Filippi (114)
Clifford Thomspon (115)
Siyanda Mwandla (GS)
Christiaan Bezuidenhout (GS)
Nkosinathi Dauwa (GS)
Neswill Croy (GS) (116)
Ian Snyman (GS)
Kaleigh Telfer (117)
Bianca Theron

2013

Aneurin Gounden
Chandler Shaw
Chesley Gamba
David Meyers (106)
Dylan Jacobs
Dylan Raubenheimer
Ian Snyman
Jovan Rebula (107)
Karabo Mokoena
Keelan Africa
Keelan van Wyk (108)
Matthew Kiewitz
Nkosinathi Dauwa
Nyameko Heshu (109)
Riaan Beukes
Trevor Thomas
Zander Gous
Leorin Pillay (GS)
Conway Kunneke (GS)
Siyanda Mwandla (GS)
Christiaan Bezuidenhout (GS)
Bianca Theron
Kelly Erasmus
Kim Daniels
Kirsten Campbell
Sylvia Masango (GS)
Izel Pieters (GS)

2012

Aneurin Gounden (99)
Chesley Gamba
Christiaan Bezuidenhout
Conway Kunneke
Devon Thomas
Dylan Jacobs (100)
Dylan Raubenheimer
Evance Vukeya
Ian Snyman
Karabo Makoena (101)
Keelan Africa (102)
Marco das Neves
Matthew Kiewitz
Mojalefa Xaba
Nkosinathi Dauwa
Riaan Beukes
Riyaaz Daniels
Shane Ross
Siyanda Mwandla (103)
Thriston Lawrence
Trevor Thomas
Tumelo Molloyi
Zander Gous (104)
Shaun Smith (GS)
Drikus Bruyns (GS)
Conway Kunneke (GS)
Leorin Pillay (GS)
Kelly Erasmus
Kim Daniels
Kirsten Campbell
Sylvia Masango
Izel Pieters
Bianca Theron (105)

2011

Andrew Burmester
Chesley Gamba
Christiaan Bezuidenhout (93)
Conway Kunneke
Devon Thomas
Drikus Bruyns
Dylan Raubenheimer (94)
Evance Vukeya (95)
Ian Snyman
Leorin Pillay
Lusanda Dikileyo
Marco das Neves
Matthew Kiewitz (96)
Mojalefa Xaba
Nicolaih Burger
Nkosinathi Dauwa
Phumlani Mkhoma
Riaan Beukes
Riyaaz Daniels
Sello Lebeko
Shane Ross
Shaun Smith
Thriston Lawrence (97)
Trevor Thomas
Tumelo Molloyi
Izel Pieters
Kelly Erasmus
Kim Daniels
Kirsten Campbell (98)
Sylvia Masango
Zayb Kippie
Zetu Myeki

2010

Andrew Burmeister (71)
Bongani Khoza (72)
Chesley Gamba (73)
Conway Kunneke
Devon Thomas
Drikus Bruyns
Godfrey Mphaka (74)
Helgardt Muller
Ian Snyman (75)
Leorin Pillay
Lusanda Dikileyo (76)
Lwazi Gqira (77)
Marco das Neves (78)
Mojalefa Xaba (79)
Nicolaih Burger (80)
Nkosinathi Dauwa (81)
Nqaba Mata (82)
Phumlani Mkhoma (83)
Riaan Beukes (84)
Riyaaz Daniels (85)
Sello Lebeko (86)
Shane Ross (87)
Shaun Smith
Trevor Thomas (88)
Tumelo Molloyi (89)
Izel Pieters
Katlego Mhlambi
Kelly Erasmus
Kim Daniels
Merition Sandys
Sylvia Masango (90)
Zetu Myeki (91)
Zayb Kippie (92)

2009

Drikus Bruyns
Leorin Pillay
Helgardt Muller
Jason Koeries
Fezekile Kana
Shaun Smith
Makgetha Mazibuko
Werner van Niekerk
Conway Kunneke (65)
Curtis Schacht (66)
Devon Thomas (67)
Tumelo Wesi
Tumo Motaung
Andre Haasbroek
Michael Mgodeli
Trevor Mahoney
Merition Sandys
Izel Pieters (68)
Kim Daniels (69)
Kelly Erasmus (70)
Katlego Mhlambi
Jenna Schonfeldt

2008

Adrian Ford
Andre Haasbroek
Calvin Coelho
Cameron Esau
Drikus Bruyns (57)
Fezekile Kana (58)
Helgardt Muller (59)
Jason Koeries (60)
Keenan Davidse
Leorin Pillay (61)
Makgetha Mazibuko
Michael Mgodeli
Shaun Smith
Trevor Mahoney
Tumelo Wesi
Tumo Motaung
Wehmeyer Ferreira
Werner van Niekerk
Jenna Schonfeldt (62)
Katlego Mhlambi (63)
Marcia van Wyk (64)
Merition Sandys
Siviwe Duma
Yolanda Duma
Rushda Mallick

2007

Adrian Ford
Andre Haasbroek
Calvin Coelho
Cameron Esau
Derick Petersen
Jared Harvey
Keenan Davidse
Keenan Paulsen
Leslie Edgar
Makgetha Mazibuko
Michael Mgodeli
Prinavin Nelson
Shaun Smith
Trevor Mahoney
Tumelo Wesi
Tumo Motaung
Wehmeyer Ferreira
Werner van Niekerk
Caitlin Beckwith
Gabby de Reuck
Kelli Shean
Merition Sandys
Rushda Mallick
Siviwe Duma
Yolanda Duma

2006

Adrian Ford
Andre Haasbroek
Branden Grace (46)
Calvin Coelho
Cameron Esau
Derick Petersen (47)
Heinrich Bruiners (48)
Jared Harvey (49)
Keenan Davidse
Keenan Paulsen
Leslie Edgar
Makgetha Mazibuko
Michael Mgodeli
Prinavin Nelson
Shaun Smith (50)
Siphiwe Siphayi (51)
Trevor Mahoney
Tumelo Wesi
Tumo Motaung
Wehmeyer Ferreira (52)
Werner van Niekerk
Betty Mokoena
Caitlin Beckwith
Gabby de Reuck (53)
Kelli Shean
Merition Sandys (54)
Monique Smit (55)
Rushda Mallick (56)
Siviwe Duma
Yolanda Duma

2005

Adrian Ford
Andre Haasbroek
Calvin Coelho
Cameron Esau (38)
Keenan Davidse (39)
Keenan Paulsen
Leslie Edgar
Makgetha Mazibuko (40)
Matthew Kent
Michael Mgodeli
Prinavan Nelson
Toto Timba
Trevor Mahoney
Tumelo Wesi (41)
Tumo Motaung (42)
Werner van Niekerk (43)
Betty Mokoena
Caitlin Beckwith
Kelli Shean (44)
Siviwe Duma
Yolanda Duma (45)

2004

Andre Haasbroek (31)
Keenan Paulsen
Dewald Keys (32)
Prinavin Nelson (33)
Trevor Mahoney (34)
Adrian Ford
Walter Els
Mark Mahoney
Geoffrey van der Merwe
Byron van der Merwe
Michael Mgodeli
Leslie Edgar (35)
Calvin Coelho (36)
Matthew Kent
Toto Timba
Tanica van As
Betty Mokoena
Siviwe Duma (37)
Caitlin Beckwith

2003

James Kamte
Toto Timba (26)
Adrian Ford (27)
Mark Mahoney
Geoffrey van der Merwe
Teboho Sefatsa
Byron van der Merwe
Henry Mthembu
Keenan Paulsen (28)
Matthew Kent
Walter Els
Albert Kruger
Michael Mgodeli (29)
Eugene Marugi
Caitlin Beckwith
Nicola Eaton
Melisa Eaton
Betty Mokoena (30)
Tanica van As

2002

Eugene Marugi (22)
Sika Letoaba
Mark Mahoney
Henry Mthembu (23)
Joseph Mohulatsi
Teboho Sefatsa
Albert Kruger
Wesley Tucker
Matthew Kent (24)
Geoffrey van der Merwe
Walter Els
Louis Oosthuizen
James Kamte
Byron van der Merwe
Tanica van As
Nicola Eaton
Caitlin Beckwith (25)
Melisa Eaton

2001

Vincent Schutte
James Kamte
Albert Kruger (14)
Mark Mahoney
Conrad Wehmeyer
Kelso Hannay
Walter Els
Byron van der Merwe (15)
Sika Letoaba (16)
Geoffrey van der Merwe (17)
Wesley Tucker (18)
Teboho Sefatsa
Joseph Mohulatsi (19)
Louis Oosthuizen
Nicola Eaton (20)
Cas Bridge
Tanica van As
Melisa Eaton (21)

2000

Vincent Schutte
Conrad Wehmeyer (5)
James Kamte (6)
Joseph Mohulatsi (7)
Kelso Hannay (8)
Louis Oosthuizen (9)
Mark Mahoney (10)
Teboho Sefatsa (11)
Walter Els
Jack Kutumane
Cas Bridge (12)
Tanica van As (13)