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Pay it Forward

Ernie Els Foundation Golf Tiger Woods Friendship cup

Players who benefited from junior programs are providing similar opportunities for golf’s next generation

By Ernie Els

We can all remember how we first got into golf- probably through family, friends or perhaps a junior organizer at a local club. No matter how, it all boils down to the same thing: receiving the encouragement and more importantly, the opportunity to play.

I was lucky. We had great weather in South Africa, so the outdoors were a way of life. My dad, my brother and I were members of the local club, which meant I could play as much golf as I wanted to—which was a lot. And as my game improved, I was fortunate to have parents who were in a position to support me as I pursued my dreams.

I’ll never forget playing in the Optimist International Junior Golf Championship in San Diego when I was 14. I was excited because it was the biggest tournament I’d ever played in. It was also big for South African golf since we had been prevented from playing in international events.

I had the lead going into the final round, and my playing partner was Phil Mickelson. As we came to the last hole, a par 5, I knew that if I made par I would win. Despite my nervousness, I made that all-important par. Even now, 24 years on, I remember it well.

The other thing I remember is the hamburgers. I ate a lot of hamburgers that week!

Seriously, that was one of the most important weeks of my life. It helped me believe in myself. All because I was given the opportunity—that word again. Without that, who knows what I’d be doing now?

Tiger, myself and a lot of other guys on tour all can remember those who helped us when we were growing up. It is why we give back to the game at the junior and grass-roots level. It’s part of the reason we set up the Ernie Els & Fancourt Foundation in 1999. The foundation helps give kids a better start in life so they can make something of themselves through education and access to the game.

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