About The Golf Challenge

Spearheaded by World of Golf Hall of Famer Ernie Els, the Els for Autism Golf Challenge has become the largest charity-driven, amateur golf tournament in US history. In 2011 (its inaugural year) the Golf Challenge consisted of 30 Super Regional events across the US, from May through September, with two-person teams competing for a place at the Grand Finale - a two-day extravaganza of golf and entertainment hosted by Ernie in Las Vegas.

The unique format meant that teams were able to qualify for the Finale via one of three ways - by being the low net winning team or the highest fundraising team at their regional event OR by raising $10,000+ and automatically qualifying.

In 2011, Grand Finalists stayed at Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino and attended parties hosted by Ernie & Liezl Els including a spectacular South African Braai and Awards Ceremony presented by Organizing Sponsor SAP and hosted on the pool deck of Planet Hollywood overlooking the strip.

Tournament golf was hosted at TPC Summerlin, Cascata and Rio Secco Golf Clubs with teams competing in a low net event for major prizes, including trips to South Africa, South America and the UK. Finalists also got the chance to get up close to their golfing heroes thanks to Pro Clinics and a bonus four-hole Pro-Am Shoot Out with Ernie and his PGA TOUR friends.

The 2011 proved a massive success - over 1,700 people took part in 2011 Golf Challenge and a total of $1.7 million was raised thanks to more than 8,500 donors.

The money raised from the Golf Challenge will help improve the lives of thousands of children on the autism spectrum and their families via the development of a much-needed Center of Excellence. The Center, the first of its kind in the world, will comprise of a physical and virtual platform that will reach out and provide help to children on the spectrum across the U.S. and the world.