MORE than R50 000 was raised for the Ernie Els Centre for Autism South Africa at the third annual Hilton Durban “Big Easy” Golf Cup at Durban Country Club recently.
Jason Bird clinched the winner’s trophy with a winning round of 40 points for the second year in a row, beating more than 50 other golfers at the invitation-only event. Steve Cooper and Nigel Woodroffe took second and third spots respectively. Two fundraising auctions added to the fun at the prizegiving dinner which was hosted at Big Easy Winebar and Grill in Durban by Ernie Els.
A number of sporting celebrities rubbed shoulders with participants on the day, including Butch James, Andre Joubert, Kevin Curren, Barry Richards, Stefan Terblanche and Pat Symcox, and VIP guests included Jan van der Putten, vice-president of Africa and Indian Ocean Hilton Worldwide and Nico van Rensburg, business development manager of the Ernie Els Group.
“It was a very successful tournament, the course was in excellent condition and the golfers really enjoyed the day. I would like to thank the golfers who attended and the companies who through their support and sponsorship, helped to make this day possible. The Hilton Durban Golf Cup is one of our main fundraising events and we are thrilled to be able to make a meaningful contribution to the Els for Autism Foundation,” said Markus Fritz, general manager of Hilton Durban.
The two auctions and “Score for Autism” spot penalty fines on the golf course (R10 per birdie or blowout scored) helped realise a final total of R53 000 raised for The Ernie Els Centre for Autism South Africa, which was founded in 2009 by Ernie and his wife Liezl after their son was diagnosed as being profoundly autistic. The couple then focused on providing the service in South Africa and in January 2011 founded The Ernie Els Centre for Autism (EEC).
