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Els for Autism Charity Pro-Am Golf Tournament Held

The organization was founded by Ernie Els and his wife Liezl, in conjunction with Marvin R. Shanken, the chairman of M.Shanken Communications, and the publisher of Wine Spectator and Cigar Aficionado magazines. The Els announced to the world in March 2008 that their son, Ben, now 7, suffered from autism.

PGA Tour professionals including Els, Steve Sticker, Stuart Appleby, Robert Allenby, Justin Leonard, Adam Scott, Justin Rose, Briny Baird and Rory Sabbatini played in the event. Golf legends Jack Nicklaus and Raymond Floyd also led two of the 22 teams of amateurs who took part in the event.

The Els for Autism Foundation has embarked on a capital campaign to raise $30 million for a 300 student school and research facility, the Center for Excellence, to be built in Florida. The research center will be dedicated to all aspects of autism treatment and study, and will put together innovative programs for education, therapy and research for children across the autism spectrum.

"Today, the dream is becoming a reality with the help and generosity of the people here," Els said. "This center is needed in the community and in the world. The families of autistic kids and the kids themselves need a lot of help, and this center will help them." Els expressd deep gratitude to the people who attended the charity pro-am tournament and said, 'Words cannot express how we feel."

The event's co-sponsors are M. Shanken Communications and the Richemont Group, with its chairman Johann Rupert. Corporate sponsors include Bacardi, Barnes and Noble, Brown-Forman, Callaway Golf, Diageo, Moet-Hennessey, Patron Spirits, PGA National, The Related Group, Royal Bank of Canada, Robert Talbott, Skyy Spirits, and the PGA.

M. Shanken Communications
Gordon Mott, 212-684-4224