Eighth year partnership with Els for Autism raises funds through September
DALLAS — Arcis Golf, a premier owner and operator of 88 private, resort, and daily fee courses, has launched its annual nationwide fundraising campaign—Round Up 4 Els for Autism, supporting the Els for Autism Foundation.
Now in its eighth year and coinciding with April’s World Autism Month, the program encourages members and guests of Arcis Golf facilities to “round up” their purchases—including golf, merchandise, and food and beverage—to the nearest dollar. All proceeds will benefit Els for Autism, with fundraising opportunities continuing throughout the spring and summer seasons (April 1-Sept. 30).
Since the inception of the relationship, Arcis Golf has generated more than $1 million for the organization and additional contributions are welcome.
Els for Autism is dedicated to helping children and adults with autism lead fuller, more independent lives. The organization creates innovative, research‑based programs across education, recreation, and adult services, while also supporting caregivers who play a vital role in each individual’s journey.
To further encourage participation, individual Arcis Golf properties will host on‑site fundraising events such as golf tournaments, fun runs, casino nights, fashion shows, and other creative programs that directly benefit individuals and families impacted by autism spectrum disorder. For example, The Woodlands, an Arcis Golf private club and community in Texas, will be a host site for a 2026 Els for Autism Golf Challenge Regional Event—one of the world’s largest charity-driven, amateur golf tournaments. The club will also host a fundraising Regional Event and a dinner featuring award-winning Ernie Els Wines from South Africa’s renowned Stellenbosch region.
Any individual club or individual that raises $15,000 or more will earn an invitation to play in the 2026 Els for Autism Golf Challenge Grand Finale, a two-day extravaganza of golf and entertainment attended by the Els family in the opulent surroundings of The Breakers in Palm Beach.
“Els for Autism supports some of the most impactful programs available to individuals with autism,” said Blake Walker, Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Arcis Golf. “Our clubs, members, and guests are always proud to support the organization through the round‑up campaign and special events.”
Round Up 4 Els for Autism is an extension of Arcis Golf’s longstanding partnership with World Golf Hall of Fame member Ernie Els, his wife Liezl Els, and Marvin R. Shanken, Publisher and Founder of M. Shanken Communications, who together founded Els for Autism. The Els family’s personal experience—after their son Ben was diagnosed with autism—sparked an ongoing commitment to creating brighter futures for individuals of all abilities.
“We are incredibly grateful for the continued support and partnership of Arcis Golf,” said Ernie Els. “Their generosity has helped us expand programs and create more opportunities for individuals with autism and their families. Blake Walker and the entire Arcis team have become great friends of the Foundation, and their commitment means a great deal to all of us.”
In 2025, Els for Autism broke ground on a Specialized Autism-Friendly Recreation Complex at The Els Center of Excellence in Jupiter, Florida. Construction is now underway, with a planned opening in spring 2027. The state‑of‑the‑art facility will be the first ASPECTSS®‑compliant sports and recreation complex in the United States, using research‑based architectural design specifically tailored for individuals with autism.
Arcis Golf also supports Els for Autism through workforce-inclusion initiatives. U Can Employ™, powered by Els for Autism, helps companies recruit, hire, onboard, and retain autistic employees while fostering more inclusive workplaces. The Club at Weston Hills, an Arcis Golf facility in the Fort Lauderdale area, completed the program and hired an individual with autism. Arcis Golf plans to expand the initiative across its national portfolio.
With more than 70,000 individuals with autism turning 18 each year, and 1 in 31 children in the U.S. now diagnosed with autism, the need for inclusive employment opportunities continues to grow.
The partnership with Els for Autism is one of many ways Arcis Golf supports national philanthropic organizations, including the United States Adaptive Golf Alliance, Love Hope Strength Foundation, and Women In Golf Foundation, as well as numerous local charities in the communities it serves.
For more information about Arcis Golf, visit arcisgolf.com.