BY CAOMH BREEN ALLEN
Conal Flynn (Athenry) is hoping a strong performance at this week’s ISPS Handa Irish Open for Golfers with Disabilities at Roganstown Golf Club can help him take another step forward in his young golfing career.
The 36-hole championship returns to the Dublin course on Tuesday and will once again feature competitions across both Stroke Play and Stableford formats, with the field also competing within their respective Sport Classes.
Flynn lives with Achondroplasia, a condition that results in shortened limbs, but he has not let it hold him back from pursuing a career in golf. Inspired by fellow competitor Brendan Lawlor (Carton House), the Galway native took up the game at the age of 11 and, in just six years, has already ticked off some major achievements.
Competing at his first G4D Open in May and being named as part of the inaugural ISPS Handa G4D High Performance Panel have been among the standout moments this season.
“It's been unbelievable. It's a lot more than I expected at the start of the year,” said Flynn.
“There's always a big circle around The G4D Open. I was lucky enough to get into that and then being selected for the HP panel, it was all a big surprise, so I was very happy with that.”
Now at 17, Flynn is set to once again compete alongside his role model, Lawlor, this week, something he is particularly proud to be able to do.
“It’s surreal really,” said Flynn.
“It’s a bit of a full circle moment out there competing alongside him regularly now at this stage.”
A field of 50 will tee up at Roganstown this week, including Flynn’s fellow G4D High Performance Panellists Ian St John (Tramore), Mark Clougherty (Lambeg), Paul O’Kelly (Portmarnock), Cian Arthurs (Roganstown), Fiona Gray (St Patrick’s), Caolan Munnelly (Tullamore), Dianne Conway (Shandon Park), Tom Doherty (Killarney) and Timmy Moloney (Co Tipperary).
Roganstown will also welcome a host of international competitors, with G4D Open Women’s Champion Jennifer Sräga (Golfclub Reischenhof) among the travelling contingent.
For Flynn, this week presents another opportunity to test his game against some of the best G4D players from around the world, while also aiming to put himself in contention for selection to the Irish squad for the European Team Championship for Golfers with Disability in July.
“If I can play to my best I'll be happy, so just play the best I can and that's the goal,” said Flynn.
“Good week here, and I’ll be looking ahead to the European Team Championship. Hopefully a good week might lead to a selection in that as well, that would be great.”
Having just completed fifth year at Gort Community School, Flynn has the summer to concentrate on his game before his Leaving Certificate year begins next September, with his aspirations high for a career in the sport.
“I'm hoping to take the PGA course if I get to the level,” said Flynn.
“I'll take a year out anyway after leaving cert and work on the game for the year and see where it has me then. Whether it be a club pro or hopefully a competing pro, that will be the main goal, but I'd be happy with anything.”
Round One of the ISPS Handa Irish Open for Golfers with Disabilities tees off tomorrow morning before the final round takes place on Wednesday.
View tee times and scoring here
