Michigan Golf Journal October 2021

winner on Tour including a Buick Open in 1998 – plus the 1987 U.S. Amateur champion. Mayfair was recently diagnosed in 2019 with Autism – had it his entire life and didn’t know it. But he has learned how to handle it, how to thrive on the PGA Tour Champions and had 2 top- 5 finishes and a T15 at the Ally Challenge just the past couple of months. I introduced the pair after Mayfair’s second round this summer at Warwick Hills. Mayfair was very attentive to Bennett and gave some great advice and encouragement as they shared their commonality. “I was in denial a very long time,” Mayfair said of his own diagnosis. “My wife kind of saw it, she felt it. Other friends saw it. I thought everyone else was wrong, that it’s everyone else that’s different. And then I read the doctor’s report that was about 20 pages long, and things started clicking for me. And we knew we could use this to our advantage, to help me – not just to being a better golfer but to being a better father, being a better husband and just being happier in life.” To help Bennett understand more about their shared situation, Mayfair told him: “We are a very unique breed. We’re very picky, we’re very anal in a way, and we’re perfectionists; that’s why you’re so good at golf. I can tell you’re good with your studies, too. I can just tell by talking with you the last five minutes…you’re going to do things your way, and you should. Don’t let anyone else tell you differently. You’ll figure things out your way. Your brain works one way, and you know how it works.” Although Bennett has had many lightbulb moments in recent years, Mayfair provided the latest. “When he took the time to establish his message Continues on page 8 >> Michigan Golf Journal Team Leader