Ernie Els
known as “The Big Easy”, a South African Golf Legend and Philanthropist, is one of the most prolific winners of his generation and the global reach of his victories is almost without parallel. Ernie has an uncomplicated nature on and off the course, which produces success in all his activities. Since his son was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder ASD, Ernie and his wife have established the Els for Autism Foundation and embarked on their major project, the Els Center of Excellence. Having been a philanthropist all of his life, and having grown up with Steve Jacobs in South Africa, playing in the same junior team together, Ernie supports PLeace Awaken, and especially its efforts in his home country. For his charitable endeavors Ernie has received amongst others the Jefferson Award, essentially a Nobel Prize for Public Service, the Metropolitan Golf Writers Association Winnie Palmer Award for his foundation work on behalf of autism and the Denver-based Nicholson Award for ‘a lifetime commitment and dedication to the game of golf’. Ernie lives with his family in the United States.
