This ball changes - Callaway Golf

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for others
For several years, Callaway Golf
Staff Professional Ernie Els and his
wife Liezl have dealt with their son
Ben’s autism as a personal family
issue, talking with specialists around
the globe about the complex brain
disorder that affects their son, who
is now five years old. “As any family
in our position would tell you, it’s not
easy,” Els says. “It’s a change of life,
a change of priorities.”
Early this year, Els and his wife
decided to speak out for Ben and
the many others who are often
misunderstood and sometimes misdiagnosed.
“This is about the millions
of families who have a loved one
affected by this condition,” Els said.
Els picked up the phone and called
“Autism Speaks” – an organization
dedicated to raising awareness and
funding research on autism causes,
prevention and treatments.
In March, Els showed up on Tour
with the organization’s logo on his
Callaway Golf bag – and a mission
on his mind. “I want to raise awareness
and money for the disorder,”
Els says. “I’ve obviously got a bit of
a high profile and that will help grab
some attention. To be honest, that’s
what this problem needs.”
AUTISM SPEAKS was founded in
2005 by Suzanne and Bob Wright,
the grandparents of a child with
autism. Bob Wright is Vice Chairman,
General Electric. You can keep up
with Els and his family at:
www.ernieels.com and learn more
at: www.autismspeaks.org.
SUMMER 2008 Callaway Golf 9