Ernie Els has signed a deal with Kuwait Stock Exchange-listed IFA Hotels & Resorts to create a golf course and associated facilities at the R10 billion Zimbali Lakes development on the KwaZulu-Natal North Coast.

Zimbali Lakes will include an Ernie Els Signature Golf Course, Els Performance Golf Academy, Ernie Els Suites, an apartment development linked to the golf academy for around 200 students, and a Big Easy Bar & Grill. This combination of facilities is the first such set-up by Ernie and his award-winning design firm on the African continent and is expected to boost golf tourism to South Africa.

“We are excited to partner with Zimbali Lakes and IFA Hotels & Resorts as we share like-minded ambitions and values,” commented Ernie. “What we’re creating here is going to be very special indeed. This is a perfect opportunity for us due to Zimbali Lakes’ location, close to the King Shaka International Airport, and also with some of the best schools in South Africa in close proximity.”

Speaking of the wider virtues of this area, Ernie went on to say, “Ballito has more gated communities per square metre than any other area in South Africa, which boasts many high-end properties that others around the world would love to call home. Club Med choosing to develop just north of Ballito indicates that this will now become an international destination, and with that comes huge international investment opportunities and exposure.”

Ernie also announced that he will set-up a home at Zimbali Lakes. “Many people will know that my primary home is in Florida, however my family will always call South Africa home,” he commented. “Being able to spend time in a quality location such as this, where security, privacy, and lifestyle come first, is not too hard a decision. Also, the mild weather conditions on the north coast during the winter months will be perfect to spend time with my family and friends here.”

Wayne Krambeck, senior vice-president of operations at Zimbali Lakes, added, “Ernie building at the estate is one of the most exciting aspects of our relationship with him. He knows this is one of the hottest property markets in South Africa at the moment.”

Werner Burger, CEO of IFA Hotels & Resorts South Africa, said the deal marks a turning point for the golf tourism industry in the country and the continent. “We are pleased to announce our partnership with the Ernie Els Group. This collaboration will strengthen our position in the market and enable us to provide enhanced lifestyle solutions and services to our residents, visitors to the region and to South Africa as a whole. By combining our expertise and resources, we will drive innovation, customer satisfaction, and business growth.”

“We believe this will be a great fit that will benefit everyone,” commented Ernie. “Around 20 years ago, I had initial discussions with Mr Burger about doing a project together so I was pleased when he approached me about the opportunity at Zimbali Lakes. We believe this will probably be one of the last golf course residential developments to be constructed in South Africa.”

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Ernie’s long-term sponsor SAP gave up its customary spot on the front of Ernie’s hat in order to show support for Els for Autism during the RBC Heritage.

The tournament organizers had already designated Friday, April 18, as Autism Awareness Day or ‘Blue Out Day’, with players, caddies, spectators and media all being asked to wear blue and join Ernie in showing support for those affected by autism spectrum disorder. In 2013 the winner of the RBC Heritage, Graeme McDowell, wore the blue and white autism awareness ribbon pin the entire week!

This year SAP took it one step further, with the company instigating the idea to temporarily replace its logo with the Els for Autism Awareness Puzzle Piece Ribbon (pictured above) embroidered onto the front of the hat.

“Big thanks to everyone at SAP,” commented Ernie. “This was their idea and it is yet another demonstration of the fantastic level of support that they’ve shown for Els for Autism ever since Liezl and I established the Foundation in 2009. We couldn’t be more grateful to them.”

Elsewhere on the course, blue and white autism awareness ribbon pins were available to players and caddies at the 1^st and 10^th tees on Friday. Pins were also available to members of the media via the tournament’s Media Center. Spectators could also keep a look out for Ernie’s custom blue April autism awareness kit. Els’ signature lion headcover has turned blue for the month of April, while another of Ernie’s sponsors I-ONICS has produced a special blue charity wristband.

Added Ernie, “One of the key things we are doing this month, with the help of partners like RBC, the Heritage Foundation, Boeing, SAP and my other sponsors, is using golf as a platform to promote not only awareness, but also the importance of early detection. The earlier we can diagnose our kids and secure the help that they need, the better chance they have of leading productive and rewarding lives. So please join with us this week, and in fact throughout the month of April, to show support and help spread awareness.”

For more information visit the website: www.ElsforAutism.com/GoBlue

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“This is a very sad day, a very sad day for South Africa and the world. It is almost impossible to adequately express the impact that President Mandela had on our country and our people, nor the collective sense of loss that we as South Africans feel as we start to come to terms with his passing.

“To see the South Africa today compared to 20 years ago, to have witnessed the transformation that has taken place in our country in this generation, is truly remarkable and President Mandela deserves an enormous amount of credit for that. He was our President and the man who changed our lives. Without him our nation would not be where it is today. You cannot say anything bad about the man. By any measure and in any time in history he can be regarded as a great man and a great statesman – a man of wisdom and compassion, too.

“Speaking personally, it was of course the greatest honour for me to have met President Mandela on several occasions and the conversations that we had will always be among the most treasured memories of my lifetime. He is the most special human being that I ever met.

“I met him for the first time in 1994 with Johann Rupert when we had a dinner together and then after that we stayed in touch. I used to play the tournament at Houghton Golf Club and his home was very close by. He came over one time and we exchanged gifts (pictured right). I have still got the picture from that day in 1996 in my office in the US. And then every time I won a tournament he used to call me. My family also had the privilege of meeting him, the most recent time being when Samantha and I were on the same flight as him. He was so generous with his time and it was a special moment for me to share with my daughter.

“Anyone who ever met or saw President Mandela was often surprised that he was such a big man, but his presence went way beyond the physical. There was something magical about him and when he walked into a room he immediately filled it with his amazing aura and charisma, but at the same time he was such a humble man, too. He was an unbelievable guy and the guys who lived in that generation will really miss him.

“He will go down as probably the greatest leader South Africa has ever known, but the truth is he touched the lives of people all around the world and his legacy will surely benefit future generations, too.”

Ernie Els
6 December 2013

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