Golfer Ernie Els For Autism Pro-Am Raises More Than $900,000 For Charity

[JohnS]

This is a feelgood story, as I believe Ernie Els' son has autism, and this event has been raising funds for charity for a number of years...

Els For Autism Pro-Am Raises More Than $900,000 For Charity

The 18th fundraiser was a day of golf, cigars and philanthropy

Apr 2, 2026 - By David Savona 

Photos/Benjamin Rusnak - Ernie Els teeing off at the Els For Autism Pro-Am, held at Apogee Golf Club in Hobe Sound, Florida, on March 30.

Monday is traditionally a day off for professional golfers, a day of rest after a four-day tournament. But on this past Monday, March 30, dozens of star golfers joined teams of enthusiastic amateurs for a pro-am dedicated to a very good cause. And there were free-flowing cigars on the course.

The field of pros and amateurs at the 18th Els For Autism Pro-Am.

It was the 2026 Els For Autism Pro-Am, an event created by star pro golfer Ernie Els, his wife, Liezl Els and Marvin R. Shanken, editor and publisher of Cigar Aficionado. The golf outing raises money for autism research and has funded the Els Center of Excellence, a state-of-the-art education and information center in Jupiter, Florida, that helps autistic children and their families. 

Full Article: https://www.cigaraficionado.com/article/els-for-autism-pro-am-raises-more-than-900-000-for-charity