With the help of Horizon Therapeutics, title sponsor of the Horizon Irish Open, G4D Tour star Brendan Lawlor gave 15-year-old Conal Flynn a truly special day out at The K Club.
Conal lives with Achondroplasia which results in shortened limbs, and reached out to Lawlor on Instagram to say he had been inspired to get into golf as a result of the example this year's G4D Open winner had set both on and off the course across his career.
Touched by his story, Lawlor made a surprise visit to see Conal at his home Kilcolgan, Co. Galway, Ireland, before the pair played a round together at the teenager's local course, Athenry Golf Club.
But that was just a part of the encounter as Lawlor then invited Conal to attend this week's Horizon Irish Open.
There, Brendan gave him a tour of the event, even bringing Conal onto the driving range to meet some more of his heroes including Rory McIlroy and Padraig Harrington.
The tournament’s title partner Horizon Therapeutics is a global biotechnology company driven by the simple idea that science and compassion must work together to transform lives.
The company is committed to making a lasting and positive impact in the communities in which it operates, inspiring its partnership with the Horizon Irish Open.
“Horizon is proud to have Brendan as an ambassador. He’s an incredible player and clearly passionate about the sport and the positive impact it can have in people’s lives,” said Tim Walbert, Chairman, President and CEO, Horizon.
“At Horizon we are deeply aware of the importance and value of community for people living with rare conditions, like Brendan and Conal. I am a rare disease patient and so is my son, so for me this work is personal.
"Meeting Conal today and hearing how Brendan has inspired him is special to me because it underscores how important it is to continue to connect the rare disease community and Horizon is proud to play an important role in that work.”
Horizon’s #RAREis campaign elevates the voices, faces and experiences of the rare disease community, and celebrates the positive impact that can be made by role models and advocates in the community.
As a star of the Golfers with Disability game and recent winner of the G4D Open, Brendan Lawlor has inspired countless fans with his play on the course, as well as his recent stance against online abuse.
