Thank You from Second Half

Payton Rohrhoff showed up early in life, being born 10 weeks earlier than doctors expected.

She’s not sure if her premature birth led to her cerebral palsy, but her life-long physical condition certainly did not keep her from showing up early in junior golf as well. And the Hartland junior has continued to handle her challenges very well on and off the golf course, notably tying for eighth at the Oct. 16-17 Lower Peninsula Division 1 Golf Final. 

Cerebral palsy has caused Rohrhoff’s right leg to be shorter and retain less muscle mass than her left leg – which makes it more difficult for a right-handed golfer to push off with her right side to create maximum power.

Yet, the high school junior has held Hartland’s No. 1 position since she joined the girls golf program as a freshman. Another highlight this season was setting a 9-hole school record with a 34 at Dunham Hills in her team’s dual with Brighton. The previous record was 36.

“Coach told me at the beginning of the season what I had to do to break the school record, so it was always in my head at points,” Rohrhoff said. “Getting that school record and doing it by two shots, that happened because I stayed present on each shot. Other times I tried I was probably thinking too far ahead.”

More importantly, Rohrhoff leads not just her team – but highly influences others in the sport and in life – by showing how a difficult physical condition should never stop someone from being kind, brave, enduring and a hard worker.

“I had lots of players, but also a coach come up to me a few times this season to say she thought I was such an inspiration to her and said to keep working hard and keep going,” Rohrhoff said. “Something like that is really important to me, because I really do want to make an impact on other people’s lives.”

Her limp is visible as she walks with an unusual gait that might make it look like she’s in constant pain – but those who watch her compete also experience her genuinely kind spirit, great golf skills and knowledge, her maturity, Christian faith and her bubbling personality (to name just a few positives).

Perhaps a fellow competitor and now great friend, all-state golfer Cam Baker from three-time state champion Northville (who tied for 11^th individually at the LPD1 Final), said it best:

“My first time playing with Payton was three years ago in the GAM Jr. Stroke play event,” Baker shared. “Her positive attitude, half-glass full personality was contagious. Not only was she an awesome golfer, but she loved the game, and it showed through that entire day.

“I have learned so much watching her play and spending time with her. She has taught me to always smile and to never take things for granted. She is constantly working on getting better and stronger. Payton is the true definition of a go-getter that doesn’t let anything stop her from achieving her dreams.”

Other Rohrhoff highlights from 2026 have included:

• Winning the Regional with a 72 at Michigan State’s Forest Akers East, tying the 18-hole school record.
• Tying for third in the Kensington Lakes Activities Association all-conference standings with a preseason and postseason total of 76-74-150.
• Moving up from 24^th in 2025 to that tie for eighth at the LPD1 Final, where her 36-hole score of 155 was the school’s best ever at a Final by 10 shots. 
• Winning over the summer her fourth-consecutive Women’s Member Championship at Forest Dunes – which included a hole-in-one on The Loop’s 5^th hole.
• Being interviewed on Golf Channel about cerebral palsy when she attended the Folds of Honor Collegiate at American Dunes.

Payton said she’s had at least two surgeries to help with functions hindered by the cerebral palsy. She also wears a 1-inch heel lift in her right shoe.

“The one (surgery) I had when I was 4 years old was pretty small (in scope), but then I grew a bunch so they had to do it again (at age 12), but it was a lot more complicated,” she described. “It was a heel cord lengthening, an extension, because I used to walk straight up on my toe. So, they got me more flat-footed.

“Cerebral palsy is in your brain. You’re born with it. A lot of people are in wheelchairs, or it affects half their body. With some people it affects both their legs. A lot of people, it’s one leg and one arm. For me it’s just my right leg.”

Rohrhoff has never been wheelchair-bound but didn’t walk until she was almost 2 years old.

“My balance on my left leg is definitely better, and my right calf has always been smaller since I had surgery in sixth grade, but I’m going to a strength trainer, and I think that’s helped both sides,” she added. “But I definitely use my left side more than my right.”

Rohrhoff said while other sports she tried didn’t work out, she can walk the golf course with anyone and could do 36 holes in one day if needed. That isn’t typical until college golf, which she would like to play one day.

Hartland coach Ethan Hawker agrees Rohrhoff can reach any goal she pursues.

“She’s an amazing golfer, for any coach,” he said. “She’s a dream. She loves the game. She puts in the time. She’s the kind of teammate that any coach would want. Team culture is a big deal for Hartland. We want to win, don’t get me wrong. But having a group of girls that support each other, that’s what it’s all about.

“Payton defines that every day. She has from the very beginning. She’s the kind of leader I want, and she’s really good at golf.”

Due to lessened power generated from her right side, “I don’t hit it crazy far,” Rohrhoff said. “I have worked a ton on hitting it further (with a strength coach), but I definitely could work more on that, especially before I go into college.”

Rohrhoff said at this point her short game is her strength. Hawker also noted her high golf IQ, and that’s of course a major plus as well.

Rohrhoff’s biggest support system is her parents and her younger sister Morgan, who also plays on the Hartland golf team. They’ve been integral in supporting Payton every step of the way.

Rohrhoff doesn’t appear to worry about what others think of her physical challenges. In fact, most of the time she feels only support from other teenagers, in the same way she wants to be an encouragement to others.

“I’ve made so many friends through golf,” she said. “I’ve met my best friend through this sport. There’s so many great people always there to support me and encourage me to do my best.” 

Likewise, she doesn’t hear many whispers from inquisitive others who notice her limp during play. 

“But I think my parents hear more of the questions than I do,” she said. “I think other people’s parents ask. Some girls ask me directly, but I think it’s more the parents that notice than the athletes do.

“I just want to use it as something to help me to do what I can to encourage other people. Before, I tried to hide it, but now I think I can definitely encourage people and help them keep working to do their best, no matter what. That started the most when I got to high school. That really showed me that this sport is for me.”

Cam Baker’s father, Casey Baker, quickly observed how Payton positively affects young people like his daughter.

“I immediately noticed her positive attitude and infectious smile,” he said about the first time Rohrhoff played in a match with Cam. “Even after bad shots, she would just brush them off and not let it affect her. 

"My daughter has become good friends with Payton, and she’s been such a positive influence. If Payton can go through life not complaining and just dealing with what she does, then what does Cam have to complain about? Payton is such a uniquely positive influence on my daughter and so many other young women."

PHOTOS (Top) Hartland’s Payton Rohrhoff tees off during high school competition. (Middle) Rohrhoff stands next to her bag for a photo. (Below) Rohrhoff watches a putt on its way to the hole. (Action shots by Dan Zeppa. Posed shot courtesy of MI Golf Journal.)