Billy Mayfair raising Autism awareness on Champions Tour

By Pat Welter

"Every day you go out there it's you against the golf course, it's you against yourself," Billy Mayfair said.

Mayfair has just stepped out onto the course before his final round at the SAS Championship in Cary, NC. The 55 year old former PGA tour golfer is now enjoying life on the Champions Tour.

"I think I've had a good career, I have five wins on the PGA Tour, I'm still the only person to beat Tiger Woods in a playoff, I hear about that just about every day," Mayfair said.

Mayfair's playoff victory over Woods in the 1998 Nissan Open which is now called the Genesis Invitational, is Mayfair's crowning moment, but these days he's changing the conversation.

"When things do get tough, I'm able to understand why," Mayfair said. "Stop for a minute, take a deep breath, regain my thoughts and then go from there which I would have never done before."

For Mayfair's whole life golf has been a reprieve, a sport that allowed him to be by himself and do what he does best, hit a ball into a very small hole. However he's had struggles in school and in his social life. When those struggles led him to be disqualified for a rules violation at the 2019 QQQ Championship in California he decided to investigate the underlying cause.

"It was a misunderstanding with the rules," Mayfair said. "The tour came at me and I didn't stand up for myself. It was an unfortunate thing, but it was probably a blessing in disguise because it forced me to go home and get tested."

After some research and encouragement from his wife, Tami, he got tested for Autism. Eight hours of mind games and tests later he had his diagnosis.

"After doing the tests and the analysis I was diagnosed professionally with high functioning Autism," Mayfair said.

On the Autism spectrum Mayfair is considered to have Asperger's syndrome. According to Autism Speaks, Asperger's syndrome is characterized by a difficulty with social interactions, restricted interests, desire for sameness and distinctive strengths.

"I think it's a gift for what I do," Mayfair said. "When I play golf I think I'm able to get out and get focused easier, I'm able to practice a lot more. But in every day life social cues, facial expressions, which I really have a difficult time with, it hurts me there's no doubt."

Since his diagnosis Mayfair has been working with a psychologist to improve his areas of weakness. He's also started a foundation with his wife to help people with Autism and their families.

"My biggest reason for coming out publicly with this is to let you know that if you are diagnosed or you feel that you are-- get diagnosed," Mayfair said. "And if you have Autism or high functioning Autism you can still live a normal life, you can be very successful at what you do, you can be a great husband, a great father and raise a beautiful family and have a normal life and still have this."