Annual round-up campaign raises nearly $1M in six years
DALLAS — The 2025 Arcis Golf “Round Up For Els for Autism” campaign has raised $200,000 for the Els for Autism Foundation, with donations still coming in from Arcis clubs across the country. At a check presentation during this week’s PGA TOUR Champions Boeing Classic at The Club at Snoqualmie Ridge (Wash.),
Arcis Golf Founder, Chairman, and CEO Blake Walker presented the check to Els for Autism Co-Founder Ernie Els, remarking that this latest donation brought the company’s total to nearly $1,000,000 over the past six years.
Els for Autism was established in 2009 by Former World No. 1, World Golf Hall of Famer, and four-time Major Champion Ernie Els, his wife, Liezl, and Marvin R. Shanken. The Els’ son, Ben, is impacted by autism, which affects 1 in 31 children in the United States.
The nonprofit organization offers innovative, evidence-based programs for families and individuals across the lifespan. Els for Autism serves families worldwide, offering virtual services and in-person programs at The Els Center of Excellence campus in Jupiter, Florida. On Aug. 17, the campus will celebrate a decade of providing programs and services to the autism community.
Arcis Golf’s 88 private, resort, and daily fee courses 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 events and tournaments to support the “Round Up” campaign.
“The Els for Autism team envisions a world of limitless possibilities for individuals with autism and their families. It is through partnerships, like ours with Arcis Golf, that we’re able to provide critical support to individuals with autism and their families,” Els said. “We are deeply grateful for the efforts Blake, his team, and the Arcis Golf members, guests, and staff make each year on behalf of this cause.”
Arcis Golf’s individual clubs have made additional, significant contributions by creating their own special fundraisers. Individual clubs reaching the $15,000 threshold qualify to send a team to the Els For Autism Golf Challenge Grand Finale at Baha Mar Resort in the Bahamas this November. This event celebrates the top fundraising teams and sponsors of the 2025 Golf Challenge regional event series.
“Whatever we can contribute to provide support and advocacy for Els for Autism is vitally important in the quest to ensure people with autism thrive, lead fulfilling lives, and reach their potential,” Walker said. “The work Ernie, Liezl, and the organization are doing is having a profound impact on a global level, and we take great pride in partnering with them in this collaborative endeavor.”
Walker noted that Arcis Golf supports Els for Autism in other ways. U Can Employ, powered by Els for Autism, 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.
The Club at Weston Hills, an Arcis Golf facility in the greater Fort Lauderdale area, is a U Can Employ partner, having completed the program and hired an individual with autism. Arcis Golf will continue to scale U Can Employ across its portfolio, with Hunt Valley Country Club in Baltimore as the next club to participate.
By fostering an autism inclusive workplace, U Can Employ aims to change the employment landscape for individuals nationwide. With more than 70,000 youth with autism turning 18 each year – and a growing autistic population entering adulthood – the need to educate employers and build inclusive workplaces has never been more urgent. Preparing today’s workforce to understand, support, and retain autistic talent is essential to meet the needs of future employees.
Later this month, Els for Autism will break ground on a new Specialized Autism Friendly Recreation Complex on their campus. The complex will include a Gymnasium, Aquatic Center, and Splash Pad. Participating in recreational activities is critically important for people with autism and other developmental disorders.
Exercise produces emotions of achievement and enjoyment, promoting inclusion, self-confidence, and an increased quality of life.
The “Round Up” and “U Can Employ” partnerships with Els for Autism 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 education, health care, military, adaptive golf, community programs, and grow-the-game initiatives.
An industry leader in providing inventive programming and unrivaled lifestyle amenities that complement exceptional golf offerings, Arcis Golf has invested more than $150 million over the past four years in property upgrades, new amenities, personnel, training, and systems to create extraordinary experiences and forge emotional connections with members and guests.
The Company has received numerous honors, including recognition on the Inc. 500 list of fastest-growing private companies in America.
To learn more about Arcis Golf, visit arcisgolf.com; to learn more about Els for Autism, visit www.elsforautism.org.