Proudly South African Ernie Els to Receive GWAA‘s Bartlett Award

Ernie Els is one of the most successful golfers in the history of the game, having won more than 60 professional tournaments, including two US Opens, an Open Championship, and a record seven World Matchplay titles. The international scope of his victories is second to none. He is one of golf’s truly global players.

Ernie was born in South Africa on 17th October 1969. As a youngster, he was outstanding in soccer, cricket, rugby and tennis. At the age of 14 played off a scratch handicap, not bad for a boy from the East Rand in Johannesburg South Africa. His towering 6ft frame and gentle personality earned him the nick name “The BIG easy”

His classic, powerful golf swing is universally admired, and aspired to, from both sides of the ropes. And while his easy-going nature masks a fierce competitive drive, it is all of these qualities, along with an engaging on-course persona, that have helped make Ernie one of the most popular golfers in the game today. Now Ernie is one of the most respected golfers, for facing one of the biggest challenges of his life with the introduction of Autism into his family and speaking publicly about it in 2008 for the first time.

“Liezl and I are private people, but we are also very much in the public eye and we recognise that this gives us a platform to help raise funds and awareness for the causes of Autism and its possible treatments. It is something that we both feel very passionate about” said Els

He and wife Liezl founded the Els Autism Foundation in 2009 supporting Autism internationally and also in South Africa which will always be his home.

The award, named for the first secretary of the GWAA, is given to a professional golfer for his/her unselfish contributions to the betterment of society. Els will be honored at the GWAA Annual Awards Dinner April 7 in Augusta, Ga. Els follows Tiger Woods (2007), Greg Norman (2008) and Jack Nicklaus (2009) in receiving the Bartlett Award. Former GWAA President and chairman of the Bartlett committee, Tim Rosaforte, said Els “epitomizes the spirit of the award”

“Years from now people may remember me as a golfer and a major champion. But I’d like also to be remembered as somebody who took the issue of Autism and did something with it. The rest of my life, I’ll be fighting this thing…I hope you’ll join with me.”