North Dakota Golf Day Raises $15,000 for E4A
The two-day New Rockford Golf Classic, pig roast and live auction, held in July, was a stunning success this year. The tournament, organized by Monty Schaefer with help from his wife Tori and three sons Andrew, Jack and Benjamin netted $15,000 for Els for Autism.
The Schaefer family has been following Ernie's career for several years, and have great memories of Ernie signing hats and having him toss a birdie ball to one of the boys while on Tour. It was their idea to hold the tournament and raise money for the charity Ernie and Liezl founded after announcing that their son, Ben, suffered from Autism.
As Monty told tournament sponsors and players: "Though we do not wish for anyone to have to struggle, we realize that it is this struggle that makes our lives worth living. We struggle to grow, we struggle to achieve, we struggle to live beyond ourselves and truly love others by putting their good before ours and deeply trusting that they will do the same for us...thank you (Ernie Els) for allowing us to be connected in a small way to your incredible vision."
Just back from Chicago Ernie expressed his appreciation to the Shaefers, the sponsors and the players for their incredible generosity. "Projects like the Center of Excellence happen because we're all working together," said Ernie. "I can't thank you enough; truly you represent the heartland of America."
All funds go to The Els Center of Excellence, bringing together the vital components of public charter school education (ages 3-21,) medical and professional treatment, research, transition to adulthood and global digital learning into one integrated whole. It will be the first facility of its kind in the world and will have global impact.
