Els For Autism Pro-Am Raises $800,000
The weather was beautiful, the course in perfect shape and smiles abounded as a field of amateurs paired up with pro golfers and sports stars for the 15th annual Els For Autism Pro-Am at Old Palm Golf Club in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. It was Monday, December 4, and the event raised $800,000 for charity, specifically funding a state-of-the-art center for helping children with autism in nearby Jupiter.
“It was a team effort,” said co-host Ernie Els, for whom the event is named, during the awards ceremony which followed the post-round lunch. He thanked the amateurs for their generosity and the pros for donating their time, and said that with this Pro-Am, the combined total raised had been pushed to $18 million since the Pro-Am started.
The event was created by Els, his wife Liezl and Marvin R. Shanken, the editor and publisher of Cigar Aficionado, after Els revealed to the world in 2008 that his son Ben had autism. Today, Ben is a student at the Els Center Of Excellence, one of 300 children who attend the Center.
The winning team from Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits shot an impressive 17 under par, and was led by two-time U.S. Open Champion Retief Goosen, with Patrick Cassidy, David Chaplin and John Wittig playing.
The team from Bonterra Organic Estates and Fetzer, headed by pro K.J. Choi, took second, and the teams captained by pros Darren Clarke (Republic National Distributing) and Dicky Pride (Wilson Daniels) tied for third place.
“Thank you to the two people we couldn’t do this without—Marvin and Hazel [Shanken],” said Liezl Els at the awards ceremony. “If it wasn’t for you, this center wouldn’t be here.”
After the round was over, the pros gathered on a hill overlooking Old Palm’s short but tough 19th green, each of them taking a shot at a hole-in-one for charity. This was the hole that Rickie Fowler famously aced at the end of the 2016 Pro-Am. There would be no million-dollar shot today, although a few golfers came alluringly close.
Bacardi, Beam Suntory, Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin, Kerr Cellars and Terlato Wines were the spirits and wine sponsors of the event, with drinks stations all around the course to refresh the golfers on this warm day. Cigars abounded as well. Alec Bradley Cigars, Altadis U.S.A., E.P. Carrillo, La Flor Dominicana and My Father Cigars all had stations on the course with samples of their products. Altadis, E.P. Carrillo and Rocky Patel provided cigars for the pairings party the night before.
