Big Easy plans to be in Asia more often
Source: Agencies |
January 13, 2011, Thursday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
ERNIE Els has reached a point in his career where he will not be traveling as far, and making decisions based as much on his business ventures as the golf itself.
"I'm going to play less in Europe, play a bit more in Asia," said the golfer known as the Big Easy. "That's good for the personal brand and stuff we do out there."
On the list of tournaments he likely will play is the Asia-Pacific Classic in Malaysia, where he is designing golf courses. He said his wine label is doing well in South Korea, so he will be at the Ballantines Championship at the end of April.
"Then you look at China," he said. "China is quite a big market in just about everything. You've got to show your face there every now and then. I'd like to do that at the end of the year."
Keeping an eye on business would seem to indicate a shift in his priorities, although Els said this has been going on for a few years.
"I'm just trying to position myself," he said. "Obviously the world has changed the last few years. We used to have quite a bit of business in the US. That's a little bit out the window now. You've got to look for work where it is. Asia is where it is.
"I'm definitely not thinking of retirement," he said. "But I'm definitely positioning myself for when that day comes."
One of the first tournaments to go is the Scottish Open, which he has won twice and played the last nine years.
Endorsement deal
Els signed an endorsement deal with the Royal Bank of Canada, the title sponsor of the Canadian Open. The third-oldest national championship in golf falls at an awkward time in the PGA Tour schedule - one week after the British Open, two weeks before the start of a grueling stretch that includes a World Golf Championship, the PGA Championship and four FedEx Cup playoff events.
Els said he would be there.
"Yes, but I'm changing it up," he said. "I'm not going to play the Scottish Open."
Els said he wants to focus more on America, where he now spends most of his time, and where his children are in school. He also is trying to raise money for an autism center in Florida.
Els will take a four-week break from golf after the Sony Open this week. He said his next event will be at Riviera.
"I'm going to play less in Europe, play a bit more in Asia," said the golfer known as the Big Easy. "That's good for the personal brand and stuff we do out there."
On the list of tournaments he likely will play is the Asia-Pacific Classic in Malaysia, where he is designing golf courses. He said his wine label is doing well in South Korea, so he will be at the Ballantines Championship at the end of April.
"Then you look at China," he said. "China is quite a big market in just about everything. You've got to show your face there every now and then. I'd like to do that at the end of the year."
Keeping an eye on business would seem to indicate a shift in his priorities, although Els said this has been going on for a few years.
"I'm just trying to position myself," he said. "Obviously the world has changed the last few years. We used to have quite a bit of business in the US. That's a little bit out the window now. You've got to look for work where it is. Asia is where it is.
"I'm definitely not thinking of retirement," he said. "But I'm definitely positioning myself for when that day comes."
One of the first tournaments to go is the Scottish Open, which he has won twice and played the last nine years.
Endorsement deal
Els signed an endorsement deal with the Royal Bank of Canada, the title sponsor of the Canadian Open. The third-oldest national championship in golf falls at an awkward time in the PGA Tour schedule - one week after the British Open, two weeks before the start of a grueling stretch that includes a World Golf Championship, the PGA Championship and four FedEx Cup playoff events.
Els said he would be there.
"Yes, but I'm changing it up," he said. "I'm not going to play the Scottish Open."
Els said he wants to focus more on America, where he now spends most of his time, and where his children are in school. He also is trying to raise money for an autism center in Florida.
Els will take a four-week break from golf after the Sony Open this week. He said his next event will be at Riviera.
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证：0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
