All the latest news and stories from the world of golf, Ernie Els Design, Ernie Els Wines, and across Ernie’s philanthropic interests.
1. Mexican Wave
In-between tournaments on September’s Champion’s Tour schedule, Ernie flew in for a two-day site visit at Oleada Golf Links Los Cabos, an Ernie Els Design links-style championship course located on a spectacular stretch of golden sand beach on Mexico’s Baja Peninsula, just 15 minutes from downtown Cabo San Lucas. Alongside Ernie was the firm’s longtime senior design associate Greg Letsche.
“It was great for us to be back on site again at Oleada Los Cabos,” commented Ernie. “I’d say this is probably the most dramatic natural site that our firm has had the pleasure of working with, a desert-meets-ocean landscape where the contours and natural dune formations are almost an open invitation for the placement of golf holes. Everyone on the team was really impressed and pleased with the progress that’s been made since our last visit. The course shaping is going well and several of the holes are approved for irrigation and grassing. Thank you to everyone on the team at Oleada Los Cabos for the kind hospitality.”
When it opens in 2026, the golf course will be a star feature of a spectacular oceanfront resort community. With the Pacific Ocean as a backdrop for this breathtaking desert landscape, the resort community of OLEADA will offer a unique untamed luxury experience that melds an unparalleled collection of resort and residential options. Every amenity will be created through a hospitality and wellness centered mindset aimed to provide opportunities to enjoy life at its fullest.
For more information, visit the website: oleadaloscabos.com
2. Ernie Els Wines’ latest news
Summer is on the horizon at Ernie Els Wines, which means a flurry of activity as the team prepare for the busiest time of the year. The Tasting Room’s chipping green, a popular feature at the winery, is freshly cut and the flag is in! The Grillworks reopened on 1st October, featuring a mouthwatering menu that is seasonally curated to showcase a selection of fire-grilled dishes, each inspired by but often given a unique twist on South African traditions. In other news, the team is thrilled to announce that the Winery has been awarded Best Cellar Door Experience by the esteemed Tim Atkin in his annual South African Report 2024. We’ll drink to that!
For more information, visit the Ernie Els Wines website. https://ernieelswines.com/
3. Arcis Golf donates a further £160,000 to Els for Autism
Blake Walker, Chairman, CEO and Founder of Arcis Golf, made the presentation to Ernie at this year’s Boeing Classic, which has become something of a tradition in this partnership. Arcis Golf’s nearly 70 private, resort and daily fee clubs raised the funds by encouraging golfers to ‘round up’ purchases of merchandise, food and beverage, or green fees to the nearest dollar as a donation to the charity. Many clubs also held special events and tournaments to support the campaign.
Speaking at the check presentation, Ernie said: “We’re blessed to have a great ally in Blake. When we first met, he was ‘all-in’ from the get-go and we are so grateful to him and to all the members at Arcis Golf who continue to support Els for Autism and help make the world a better place for people with autism. This is the fifth year of our partnership, the fifth year of the ‘round-up’ initiative, and we’ve raised $650,000 now. Thank you so much to everyone who contributed by rounding-up their bills; it may seem like the simplest of actions, but look how much it adds up to. It’s incredible! Hopefully we can keep this going for many years to come.”
Arcis Golf’s individual clubs have made additional, significant contributions. The Club at Ruby Hill in Pleasanton, California, is hosting an Els for Autism Golf Challenge Regional Event on August 26. Since 2011, the Golf Challenge regional event series has been one of the largest charity-driven, amateur golf tournaments in North America, raising over $37 million in support of individuals with autism around the globe.
Signature of Solon Country Club in Cleveland, OH has achieved the $15,000 fundraising threshold, which qualifies them to attend the Els For Autism Golf Challenge Grand Finale at The Breakers in Palm Beach, Florida this November. This event celebrates the top fundraising teams and sponsors of the 2024 Golf Challenge season. Several other Arcis Golf clubs are nearing this milestone.
“The generosity of the members, guests and staff at all our clubs contributes to a world of limitless possibilities for individuals with autism and their families,” said Blake Walker. “Els for Autism is leading the way to transform the lives of people with autism, helping individuals of all ages feel included and empowered.”
Walker also noted that Arcis Golf is supporting a new program, U Can Employ™ powered by Els for Autism, which equips companies with the essential tools and strategies to seamlessly integrate autism inclusion into the company’s fabric, ensuring businesses can recruit, hire, onboard, and retain autistic employees. By fostering an autism inclusive workplace, U Can Employ aims to change the employment landscape for individuals nationwide. With over 70,000 youths with autism turning 18 every year, the increase in the prevalence of autism combined with an aging autism population, underscores the need for programs and services tailored to individuals with autism transitioning into adulthood.
This fall, a pilot program will be launched at The Club at Weston Hills, an Arcis Golf facility in the greater Ft. Lauderdale area, where autistic adults will work in golf maintenance, operations, retail, or food and beverage.
The “Round Up” and “U Can Employ” partnerships with Els for Autism Foundation are two of the numerous ways Arcis Golf promotes a corporate culture of giving and social responsibility. The company supports dozens of local, regional, and national causes, including education, health care, military, adaptive golf, community programs, and grow-the-game initiatives.
To learn more about Arcis Golf, visit www.arcisgolf.com.
4. First Senior Major is Ernie’s 79th professional career win
This summer saw Ernie claim the first senior major of his career at the Kaulig Companies Championship at the iconic Firestone CC. It was Ernie’s third win of the 2024 Champions Tour season and it elevated him into the No.1 spot on the Schwab Cup rankings. It brings his tally of professional career wins to 79.
Speaking after the trophy presentation, Ernie commented: “It’s taken a little while, but this feels very sweet. It’s kind of hard to believe, but I’ve been coming to Firestone for 32 years, one of the great golf courses that we play on Tour, and this is my first win here. It goes to show that it pays to keep trying in this game! It was so wonderful to have my son Ben here and my wife Liezl, both waiting for me when we came off the 18th green. Just needed my daughter Samantha here and we’d have had a full house. But yeah, a special week. I’m enjoying my golf at the moment. I like to work at my game still. I’m trying to keep myself healthy where I can swing hard at the ball; it’s kind of fun still. You have to keep trying to improve in this game.”
Click here for the full list of Ernie’s 79 career wins.
5. Record sales figures reflect global enthusiasm for Zimbali Lakes Resort
IFA Hotels & Resorts, the Master Developers of Zimbali Lakes Resort, which will include an Ernie Els Signature golf course, has achieved an impressive R1.6 billion in sales over the past five years. Building on this success, they recently launched the Tatali Signature Villas, an exclusive, multi-unit residential development, achieving a record-breaking R22 million for a single site, with the potential of 10 opportunities. This is the only project in KwaZulu Natal with Municipal Resort 5 zoning status. The launch marks the first time these luxury properties have been offered to the market, a strategic move designed to boost investor confidence. Additionally, the Group, which pioneered the original Zimbali Coastal Resort in 2005, has secured a R175 million infrastructure facility with ABSA bank for Zimbali Lakes Resort.
Wayne Krambeck, Snr Vice President of Operations at Zimbali, stated, “The recent launch and success of the limited Tatali Signature Villas show that the market is enthusiastic and sees great potential in the diverse and high-quality products being developed at Zimbali Lakes. We are pleased to announce that record sales values were achieved, with stands selling for between R4 million and R22 million. We sold 11 out of the 14 Multi-Unit Residential opportunities within 48 hours of the bidding opening.”
Krambeck goes on to say, “Zimbali Lakes is diverse and offers a wide range of opportunities, including land for homeowners to build their dream homes, commercial spaces like the upcoming Tatali Retail area and development opportunities for investors, life rights retirement homes, and various sporting activities at the Zimbali Sports Club. With the Ernie Els Signature golf course opening in the second quarter of 2025 and the completion of remaining services in other Phases, we are confident that all sellable land will be transferable by mid-2026.”
Ernie has chosen Zimbali Lakes as the location for his personal family home within the Tatali Views precinct, adding to the prestige of the development.
“The Zimbali brand is very well-known. It is a strong brand, both nationally and internationally. We have been fortunate with the success rate of our previous residential golf estate developments in South Africa, Mauritius, Dubai and the UAE,” said Ernie. “We are fully vested at Zimbali Lakes. Apart from the golf course, we are also adding an Ernie Els Performance Academy [EPGA] and the Big Easy Restaurant in the exclusive Zimbali Lakes Sports Club. Students participating in the EPGA will have the opportunity to stay in the Ernie Els Academy Suites”, he concluded.
Werner Burger, CEO of Zimbali, explained, “With the assistance of ABSA, we aim to complete services for Phase 3 by December 2025, which will unlock the retail centre to be built in the Tatali Precinct. Since 2019, we have achieved R1.6 billion in sales across all three phases. IFA Hotels & Resorts has secured a R175M facility with ABSA. Combined with our own equity, this ensures full funding for the completion of all infrastructure at Zimbali Lakes. The Ernie Els Signature Golf Course and the Big Easy Club situated between the 9th & 10th golf holes.The completion of Phase 3 infrastructure will unlock the remainder of real estate in the Tatali precinct, bringing R2 billion of serviced stands to market at Zimbali Lakes.”
Mike Mortimer, Head of CPF Coverage for ABSA Bank said that “Absa is proud to have played a significant role in the financing of various developments on the KwaZulu-Natal North Coast, regarded as one of the fastest growing and sought-after nodes in the country. Our funding partnership with IFA Hotels & Resorts is one that we value very highly and demonstrates our continued commitment to the transformation of the North Coast. There are numerous factors that make this node an extremely attractive destination from a financier, investor and end-user perspective. These include proximity to King Shaka International Airport, availability of quality amenities such as schools, healthcare, water and sanitation, and the unparalleled lifestyle that the area offers”.
Wayne Krambeck agrees that Ballito and Zimbali in KwaZulu Natal offer promising foreign investment opportunities. “The Zimbali Lakes project alone has over 2600 approved opportunities, further boosted by numerous developments nearby. The region’s growth and development, together with buoyant international interest, are driving and encouraging this rapid economic growth”.
Burger expressed his pleasure at how well the Tatali Signature Villa sites were received and snapped up by the buyers present at the recent launch. He highlighted the project as a “rare investment opportunity situated within a bespoke crescent-shaped pocket of excellence and conveniently located near the future Zimbali Lakes retail precinct. The villas, once built, will cater specifically to astute buyers offering a high level of luxury and exclusivity. They feature sea, lake and golf course views as well as unique amenities, and a variety of design options that align with the latest architectural trends. Safety and privacy, key considerations for high net worth buyers, are integral to the TATALI Signature Villas. In essence, the vision is to offer world-class amenities to the global elite, including office space, tourism, retail and branded apartments situated alongside a state-of-the-art promenade.”
Zimbali Lakes will be the only estate on the KZN North Coast with pristine beaches, tranquil lakes, world-class golf facilities, retail and commercial opportunities.
“The TATALI Signature Villas represent the pinnacle of luxury and exclusivity, designed to meet contemporary international expectations and this project is a testament to IFA Hotels & Resorts’ commitment to delivering exceptional quality and value to its investors,” Burger concluded.
For more information on Zimbali Lakes, please visit the website: https://zimbalilakes.co.za/event-landing-page/
