21 September 2005

South African golf superstar Ernie Els may have been sidelined after undergoing knee surgery, but he has been anything but inactive. Now one of his off-course projects has taken a giant leap, which will benefit South Africa's future stars.

Writing on his website, Els says the Ernie Els Foundation will be merging with the Fancourt Golf Foundation and moving to a new permanent home at the picturesque Fancourt Hotel, Country Club and Golf Estate.

Not a bad place to call home when one considers that Fancourt has already hosted the President's Cup and the Women's World Cup of Golf.

Els also reports that the amalgamated foundation's new home will be only minutes from his home at the estate.

All 21 members of the Ernie Els Foundation, along with the Fancourt Foundation members, will be moving into a purpose-built hostel. They will attend local schools and followed individually tailored golf programmes at the Fancourt Golf Academy.

Els reckons the chosen children will now have the best opportunities possible to make their mark, on the golf course and in life itself. The facilities, he says, are world-class and the children will be given the every opportunity to realise their full potential.

The new foundation will be known as The Ernie Els and Fancourt Foundation. It is expected to be up and running by the beginning of 2006.

Els lauded Fancourt owner Doctor Hasso Plattner, CEO of software giant SAP, for making the new foundation possible.

	Ernie Els campaigns around the world, winning consistently wherever he plays

	Ernie to return at SAA Open So hot! The Goose is cooking Tjaart shows SA golf's depth Goose takes The International Limpopo Classic for Sunshine Tour SA golf depth shown at The Open Tim Clark: SA's next golf great? SA golf courses in world top 100 Ernie Els in record-breaking win Els takes Qatar Masters 2005 Joburg Open to boost SA golf South African golf: a success story SA golf tourism gains pace

	Ernie Els  Fancourt  Sunshine Tour