The 2024 Arcis Golf “Round Up For Els for Autism” campaign has raised $160,000 for the Els for Autism Foundation, with donations still coming in from Arcis clubs across the country. At a check presentation during the recent PGA Tour Champions Boeing Classic at The Club at Snoqualmie Ridge, Arcis Golf Founder and CEO Blake Walker increased the donation on the spot.
Els for Autism Foundation was established in 2009 by professional golfer and World Golf Hall of Famer Ernie Els and his wife, Liezl, and Marvin R. Shanken. The Foundation offers innovative, evidence-based programs for families and individuals across the lifespan. Els for Autism serves families around the world, offering virtual services, and in-person programs at The Els Center of Excellence® campus in Jupiter, Florida.
Arcis Golf’s nearly 70 private, resort and daily fee clubs raised funds by encouraging members and customers to “round up” purchases of merchandise, food and beverage, or green fees to the nearest dollar as a donation to the charity. Many clubs also held special events and tournaments to support the “Round Up” campaign.
“By rounding up and engaging both Arcis’ members and guests in this simplest of actions, we generated funds to make the world a better place for people with autism,” said Els.
Arcis Golf’s individual clubs have made additional, significant contributions. The Club at Ruby Hill in Pleasanton, California, is hosting an Els for Autism Golf Challenge Regional Event on August 26. Since 2011, the Golf Challenge regional event series has been one of the largest charity-driven, amateur golf tournaments in North America, raising over $37 million in support of individuals with autism around the globe.
Signature of Solon Country Club in Cleveland, Ohio has achieved the $15,000 fundraising threshold, which qualifies them to attend the Els For Autism Golf Challenge Grand Finale at The Breakers in Palm Beach, Fl., this November. This event celebrates the top fundraising teams and sponsors of the 2024 Golf Challenge season. Several other Arcis Golf clubs are nearing this milestone. Since forming the partnership five years ago, Arcis Golf has donated more than $650,000 to Els for Autism.
“The generosity of the members, guests and staff at all our clubs contributes to a world of limitless possibilities for individuals with autism and their families,” said Walker. “Els for Autism is leading the way to transform the lives of people with autism, helping individuals of all ages feel included and empowered.”
Arcis Golf also is supporting a new program, U Can Employ™ powered by Els for Autism, which equips companies with the essential tools and strategies to seamlessly integrate autism inclusion into the company’s fabric, ensuring businesses can recruit, hire, onboard, and retain autistic employees. By fostering an autism inclusive workplace, U Can Employ aims to change the employment landscape for individuals nationwide. With over 70,000 youth with autism turning 18 every year, the increased prevalence of autism, and an aging autistic population, the need for programs and services tailored to individuals with autism transitioning into adulthood has never been greater.
This fall, a pilot program will be launched at The Club at Weston Hills, an Arcis Golf facility in the greater Ft. Lauderdale area, where autistic adults will work in golf maintenance, operations, retail, or food and beverage.
The “Round Up” and “U Can Employ” partnerships with Els for Autism Foundation are two of the numerous ways Arcis Golf promotes a corporate culture of giving, inclusion, and accessibility. The company and its portfolio of clubs support many local, regional, and national causes, including in the areas of education, health care, military, adaptive golf, community programs, and grow-the-game initiatives.
Photo: Ernie Els (left) and Blake Walker (right) at The Club at Snoqualmie Ridge, an Arcis Golf facility.. (Arcis Golf))