Dubai World Championship charity auction offers chance to tee-off with Ernie Els
All proceeds raised will be donated to Dubai Autism Centre and Els for Autism.
Dubai, 3 November 2009
An exclusive charity auction was launched today by the Dubai World Championship and DP World, offering golf enthusiasts the chance to play with three-time Major winner Ernie Els in the inaugural Dubai World Championship Pro-Am on the never before played Earth course at Jumeirah Golf Estates.
The Dubai World Championship presented by: DP World, which takes place from November 19-22, provides the thrilling climax to The Race to Dubai – The European Tour’s season-long competition which takes in 50 golf tournaments in 27 destinations around the world.
The 60 qualifiers from The Race to Dubai will compete for a $7.5 million prize fund, with the winner walking away with $1.25 million. This world-class field includes current Race leader from England Lee Westwood, Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy, Spain’s Sergio Garcia, Ireland’s Padraig Harrington, Australia’s Geoff Ogilvy, Sweden’s Henrik Stenson, Colombia’s Camilo Villegas, and South Africa’s Els.
The highest bidder in the auction will win three amateur playing spots to play 18 holes of Championship golf with Els on November 17, just two days before the inaugural Dubai World Championship tees-off. The ‘Big Easy’ has worked tirelessly to raise awareness of autism spectrum disorders since he discovered his son Ben was affected by the condition and all proceeds raised from the auction will go to the Dubai Autism Centre and Els for Autism.
Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Dubai World and DP World Chairman, said:
“Autism is a condition that is close to Ernie’s heart and we are proud to use the global platform of the Dubai World Championship to stand alongside him and help raise awareness and much needed funds. The auction is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for avid golf fans to win a wonderful experience, but also to contribute to a worthy cause - it’s one thing to watch the best golfers in the world take on the challenge of Greg Norman’s Earth course for the very first time, it is quite another to play it yourself alongside the ‘Big Easy’!”
Ernie Els said:
“Autism is a subject very close to our hearts, since Liezl and I discovered that our son Ben is affected by the condition. It's changed our lives and that’s why we are working towards building a research facility and school close to our home in Florida.
"Now I'm proud to join DP World in the Middle East and help raise money and spread the word about a condition which is affecting a growing number of children throughout the world. I would like to encourage everybody who reads this to bid in the Dubai World Championship charity auction for the chance to play a pro-am round with me prior to the event. It's sure to be an exciting occasion and also a unique one because it will be the first time that I will have played Greg Norman’s Earth course at Jumeirah Golf Estates.”
Mr. Mohammad Al Emadi, Board Member and Director General of Dubai Autism Center, said:
“The alarming growth rate of Autism incidence worldwide underlines the seriousness and gravity of this disorder. At this stage, it is vital that unified efforts nationally and internationally are undertaken to address the difficulties faced by the children, their families and caregivers.
“We salute Ernie Els and DP World’s efforts in taking the lead internationally to spread awareness and raise funds for the cause. As a non-profit organization Dubai Autism Center depends on philanthropic actions to cover the running cost of the center and enhance the services offered to affected families.”
The reserve price is $25,000 and interested parties should email auction@dubaiworldchampionship.com for more information on how to lodge bids for this once-in-a life-time opportunity.
For more information please visit www.dubaiworldchampionship.com
