‘Big Easy’ Ernie Els swings high for autism at Zimbali Lakes
It was an opportunity for Ernie to do what he is most passionate about, making the world aware of autism.
The acclaimed new Zimbali Lakes development has adopted golfing great Ernie Els’ autism foundation as its community service initiative.
The estate’s Els-designed golf course will in future be supporting upcoming “Els for Autism” golf days.
“Golf and life go hand in hand. It builds character. The game changes people’s lives. It changed my son Ben’s life and can do the same for many other people,” said the Big Easy.
He and IFA Hotels and Resorts directors hosted a small hand-picked group of media and special guests at Zimbali Lakes on Tuesday.
Besides guests being afforded the opportunity to swing a club with the man himself and have some fun in a spectacular location, it was also an opportunity for Ernie to do what he is most passionate about – make the world aware of autism.
Els and his wife Liezl’s journey with autism is very personal, dating back to 2008 when their son Ben was diagnosed as being on the spectrum.
“At the time, Els was ranked number one in the world and playing some of his best golf,” said Els’ commercial manager, Nico van Rensburg.
He said coming out and telling the world his son was autistic was the watershed moment in Ernie’s career when he decided to spend more time at home, play less golf and inform people what autism was about.
Nico said it was extremely tough for the couple but if there was anybody who could handle being dealt a card like that, it was them.
“Ernie always tells me, when he plays around the world and wins tournaments, he doesn’t want to be remembered as just a golfer but as somebody who made the world aware of autism.”
With the foundation owning two autism centres in the USA, looking after 112 families affected by autism in South Africa as well as supporting a range of autism centres in the country with knowledge and funding, Els is well on his way to achieving his life’s goal.
At the event it was also announced that “Els for Autism” will be partnering with Ashton International College – a school that caters for children on the spectrum.
Ashton headmaster André Buys and Ernie are old army buddies and both are parents of a child with autism.
“We had lost contact for a while but when I saw Ernie again we immediately connected,” said Buys.
Details of the collaboration are yet to be finalised but Buys and Els are very excited to join hands in raising autism awareness.
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