Golfer flees with family in hurricane-hit Florida
Hurricane Irma has caused Ernie Els to pull-out of the KLM Open in Spijk this week (14-17 September). The 47-year old South African, who lives in Florida, has decided not to play golf in Holland but to stay at home to support family and friends that have been affected by the ravages of the recent hurricane.
The popular four-time Major winner announced today: “I’m really sorry that I’ve had to make the decision to withdraw from the KLM Open. I had been looking forward to playing in this historical tournament again for the first time in a long while, but sometimes Mother Nature has other plans.”
Els and his wife, Liezl run a special school in the south of Florida for autistic children. The threat of hurricane Irma has meant that the school has had to be evacuated in the last few days. Els has chosen to be with his family to support friends and colleagues at the Els for Autism school during these difficult times.
It’s the second consecutive year that KLM Open Tournament Director, Daan Slooter has been left with that ‘Richard Krajicek feeling’: losing his star player at the eleventh hour. The first edition of the KLM Open held at The Dutch golf links in Spijk in 2016 was blighted with the last-minute withdrawal of defending champion Thomas Pieters due to a wasp-sting. The exciting, young Belgian talent, who was about to make his Ryder Cup debut, was scheduled to attract some big galleries from across the border to the Dutch Open Championship in Gelderland.
In a reaction to the latest news about Ernie Els, Slooter said: “It’s a real shame that Ernie Els can’t be with us this year. We fully understand the decision he has made and hope that the damage from the hurricane is not as bad as anticipated and that everyone is safe”.
Tough week ahead
The tournament organisers could well be holding their breath all week with rain, rain and more rain forecast in Holland. Gale force winds will add to the drama. It looks set to be a tough week ahead for players, fans and the hundreds of volunteers who make the tournament possible. Quite a contrast to the four sun-drenched days of last year’s event. With a little bit of luck, the sun will shine on Sunday, they say. Just in time to see the 2017 Dutch Open Champion crowned.
Looking into the crystal ball, at the moment it looks like ‘Advantage Joost Luiten’. The home favourite is playing on his home course, so he knows it like the back of his hand. And that’s worth a few shots, especially in tough weather conditions. Holland’s number one golfer may not be having a top year so far, but last year he was also struggling on his way to the Dutch Open. Even two days before the start of the tournament, he was still in search of his form, and his swing. A few days later he drove back to Rotterdam as the victorious 2016 Dutch Open Champion, his second European Tour triumph on home soil.
Wendy Hoad
PICTURED: Ernie Els (Courtesy of Ernie Els Management).