Ernie Els, Don Marino Team for Autism

Tuesday March 3, 2009

Ernie Els and Don Marino are both world-class athletes. And it turns out they have something else in common: they both have kids with autism. Now, they're working together to provide funds and support for autism-related research and programs. According to PGATour.com:

Because of his accomplishments in golf -- with three major championships, 16 PGA TOUR titles and more than 60 worldwide victories, Els is easily one of the most visible players in the game -- he knew he eventually was going to have to come public with his son's condition.
But Els also realized his stature could play a key role in helping to fight a disease that affects 1 in 150 children, according to Autism Speaks. And that's what Els has done: throw his considerable clout behind raising money and awareness for the disease.
His bag is adorned with an Autism Speaks logo. He and his wife, Liezl, have started a foundation. Later this month, Els will host a pro-am at PGA National to raise money for autism research.
The response was so overwhelming from his fellow pros -- among the stars playing are Jack Nicklaus, Greg Norman, Raymond Floyd, Gary Player, Donald and Justin Rose -- Els had to turn down some requests.
...Els has joined forces with, among others, former NFL star Dan Marino, another South Florida resident who also has a son with autism and has helped build a hospital in Weston that concentrates on autistic children....
Els says his decision to go public with Ben's condition has prompted others to do the same with him. When young pros seek him out for advice these days, it's not just about a swing thought. "Some of the young guys who just got married, they ask me questions because they are going to have families," he says." They want to know if there's a way of telling if going to happen or not ... is it in your blood or genes, whether it's flu shots ... we are trying to find out why it's happening. I get a lot more questions about it."

There's no doubt that Don Marino has already done a great deal for the cause of autism. Here's hoping that an Els/Marino partnership can do even more!