The power of golf to unite and inspire is in evidence this week at The G4D Open as Conal Flynn takes his place alongside his role model Brendan Lawlor in one of the competition's most heartwarming stories.
Ireland's Flynn, 17, is making his debut at Celtic Manor Resort as 80 of the world's most talented golfers with a disability compete in the tournament’s fourth edition.
Moved to get into golf because of Lawlor, Flynn's participation highlights the impact made over recent years in creating opportunities for golfers with a disability to compete.
It was in 2023 that Flynn, then 15 years old, received a dream visit in person from Lawlor to his family home in Kilcolgan, Co. Galway, with the pair sharing the fairways in a round at the teenager’s local course, Athenry Golf Club.
The encounter stemmed from Flynn, who lives with Achondroplasia which results in shortened limbs, reaching out to Lawlor over social media to praise him for the example he sets on and off the course.
From there, a friendship has forged between the Irish pair, with Flynn sharing the same stage in Wales as Lawlor, who is the G4D Open men's defending champion.
“Being here has definitely come a lot quicker than I expected,” said Flynn, who received a late invite last week.
“It’s the opportunity I was waiting for. I was on the waiting list and woke up and got an email that said I’d been accepted in.
“I’m delighted to get the chance to play alongside some of the best in the world.”
In addition to the pair’s initial encounter in 2023, Lawlor invited Flynn to attend the Irish Open – an event run by the DP World Tour - later that year.
During that visit, Flynn met more of his heroes, including Rory McIlroy and Padraig Harrington.
It’s an experience that Flynn describes to this day as “unbelievable”, and one that served as a stimulus to motivate him to be competing in elite competition.
“I have taken up golf a lot more seriously,” added teenager Flynn of his progress in the sport in recent years.
“The G4D Open has been a great eye opener, target to reach for. Hopefully over the next few years, I can compete at the top level and contend to win.”
Speaking ahead of his title defence, Lawlor, who also won The G4D Open men’s title in 2023, referenced his encounter with Flynn three years ago and the delight he takes in seeing new talented golfers with a disability take to the fairways.
“There's a guy actually from Ireland, Conal Flynn, who is 17,” he said.
“I did a video with him a few years ago in Ireland. He has dwarfism, same as me, and he's playing here this week.
“Stories like that, to see the young generation come up, is great.”
Lawlor, 29, made history as the first golfer with a disability to compete on the DP World Tour ISPS Handa UK Championship in 2000.
Among the most recognised players with a disability, he won last year’s ISPS HANDA Irish Open for Golfers with a Disability and Flynn credits Lawlor for the support he has received.
“Especially at last year’s Irish Open for disability golf,” he said. “He was there and offered a lot of tips, advice. He’s very good with his time.”
The G4D Open, which was first played in 2023, is jointly run by The R&A and the DP World Tour and is supported by EDGA.
The Championship is played over 54 holes, with players from across nine sport classes represented from 25 countries, and for the first time there will be a cut to the leading 20 overall men and ties and top ten overall women and ties after the second round.
One of 19 players making their first appearance at the event, Flynn may just be getting accustomed with competition of this scale, but he is out to make the most of it and savour the experience.
“To make the cut would be great,” he said. “Anything after that is a bonus.
“The set-up is top class. There’s a real resemblance of a tour event. It’s very nice, very cool to be part of it.”
