Roy Exum
If wishes were horses and we all could ride, I’d have moved this Friday’s sixth annual Autism Conference in Chattanooga up a couple of days. That way I’d be able to point to the most promising professional golfer in the world and tell each family that will be represented at the Convention and Visitor’s Center what has made Jordan Spieth not only the golfer of the hour, but the most popular player on the tour.
His 14-year-old sister struggles mightily with autism. “Being Ellie’s brother humbles me every day of my life,” said the 21-year-old who knocked Augusta National to its knees this weekend.
His mother Chris agrees. “I don’t think my sons would be the kind of kids they are without her.”
Jordan’s brother Steven is a starter on Brown University’s basketball team and Chris told the Houston Chronicle, “Ellie believes her brothers win at everything so there is no way they can be ‘down’ around her. No way. Jordan realizes this isn’t real life at The Masters,” she said. “Try sitting around and having dinner when his sister doesn’t want to eat…everybody else is eating and Ellie throws a fit. A real fit. That’s life.”
Jordan was asked about Ellie on CNN and, you must understand, he’s seen the melt-downs, the anxious moments, the unfathomable reaction she has to things most people can’t understand. His answer? “She’s the funniest member of our family. I really love it when she’s able to be (at the golf course.) I love being with her.
“It is so humbling to see her and her friends and the struggles they go through every day,” Spieth told the cameras. “They struggle with things we take for granted – their lack-of-patience or understanding. It’s easy for us but not for them,” explained the guy who just set a Masters record for the lowest first two rounds in history.
“At the same time, they are the happiest people in the world and when I say ‘they,’ I speak to special-needs kids. My experience with her, and in here classes with her friends, is that it’s fantastic. I love being part of it and helping support (the autistic community.)”
Spieth, who has actually been a substitute teacher in Ellie’s class, said, “It helps put things in perspective," he says of the challenges she overcomes every day. "I'm lucky to play on the Tour and compete with these guys. It's a dream come true. I definitely attribute a lot of that to her.
"She's the best thing that ever happened to our family. She's hilarious."
Jordan, who opened Sunday’s final round in Augusta with a cool-veined four-stroke lead, admits Ellie keeps him grounded. “On a tournament week, I talk to her every other day, or something," Spieth said this weekend. "I'm sure she's having a good time, and loving watching the coverage."
Ben Crenshaw, a fellow Texan who bid a fond farewell to Augusta this week when the 65-year-old former champion retired, adores the kid from Dallas. “I think the world of him,” Crenshaw said. “I'm telling you, I know this, he's way more mature than what I was when I was 21. He has things together. I'm sure it has struck all of you that he's way mature beyond his years.”
But his biggest fans among the pros is Ernie Els, which is understandable if you know what’s coming. Ernie was paired with Jordan in the Houston Open the week before the Masters. “He's the nicest kid in the world,” said four-time major champion. “I just love playing with him. We had a ball. And I met his sister last week, met his parents. He's a special kid.”
Els actually met Spieth’s sister? Sure, that’s because Els has the touch. His son Ben struggles with autism. In 2009 Ernie established the Els for Autism Foundation and every year has a benefit tournament that many PGA pros, including Spieth, play in regularly.
Want more? Ernie and his wife broke ground last year on a school for autistic students between the ages of three and 21. Located near Juniper, Fla., the 26-acre complex will have an on-site education for 300 students, medical and professional services, research, transition to adulthood, adult living and on-site job training. And then there is this – Ernie and Liezl Els are private people, not showy or flashy, but they have spent $6 million of their own money to make the center world class.
Over 400 people are expected to attend Friday’s Autism Conference in Chattanooga and now they know they are hardly alone. Jordan Spieth and Ernie Els, the two great golfers, know what it’s like. And isn’t it divine a 14-year-old girl is what keeps Jordan focused and on track.
After all, she’s the funniest member of the family. “She’s hilarious!”
royexum@aol.com
Golf wonderboy Jordan Spieth, left, with his sister Ellie and his brother Steve, right, who plays basketball at Brown.