Meet the team at the EEFF

Hannes van Niekerk, CEO

Hannes van Niekerk has had a long association with golf, having been Afrikaans daily newspaper Die Burger's chief golf correspondent and latterly sports editor for some 15 years. During his years of following professional golf around the world he built a close relationship with Ernie Els, often ‘clashing' in various media centres around the world! The mutual respect built up over the years convinced Els that, with his no-nonsense approach and integrity, van Niekerk would be the ideal person to take over the running of the Foundation.

Hannes is a useful golfer, playing off an eight handicap, but it was on the rugby field where he excelled, playing provincial rugby for Boland in his younger days. Hannes is married to Karen and they have a son Jean.

Since taking over the running of the Foundation in 2004, Hannes has spent much effort in restructuring the education and coaching programme of the Foundation and was instrumental in ensuring the smooth transition of the amalgamation with the Fancourt Foundation to form the Ernie Els & Fancourt Foundation, which came into being at the beginning of 2006.

In mid-2006 he relocated from Cape Town and now lives with his family in George. He will continue to be based there as the Foundation enters its new phase from 2010, when members will be home-based.

©2010 Ernie Els

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