2016 PGA of America National Award Winner William Flynn Honored at the 100th PGA Annual Meeting

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla.– The daughter of PGA Deacon Palmer Award Winner William Flynn joined an impressive contingent of PGA of America National Award recipients who were honored at the 100th PGA Annual Meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 9, at the Grand Hyatt in New York City. The event was emceed by Golf Channel Host Dave Marr III.

The 2016 Deacon Palmer Award is awarded posthumously to William “Bill” Flynn of Windham (New Hampshire) Country Club. The Deacon Palmer Award honors a PGA Professional who displays outstanding integrity, character and leadership, in the effort to overcome a major obstacle in their life. The recipient is an unsung hero at their facility and in their community, who served to inspire, empower and assist others, both inside and outside the game. Flynn was born with a physical disability that prevented the full use of his right arm. While Flynn’s disability restricted him from competing in team sports, it led him to golf, where he won the 1959 Vermont Open, 1963 Massachusetts Open and 1968 New England PGA (NEPGA) Championship. The 1976 and 1982 NEPGA Section Golf Professional of the Year; and the Section’s 1993 Merchandiser of the Year, Flynn’s love for the game began as a 10-year-old caddy. Across 52 years of PGA Membership, Flynn created programs that offered free golf instruction to inner-city and local juniors, women and disabled golfers. One of his daughters, Joanne, followed in Bill’s path to become a PGA Professional, while sons Bob and Michael manage the other family courses. A NEPGA Hall of Fame Member, former PGA Vice President and NEPGA Section President, he created Bill Flynn Golf Course Management and Development Company in 1980. The organization acquired Lakeview Golf Course and Far Corner Golf Course in Massachusetts, before building Windham Country Club in New Hampshire. He also managed and leased the George Wright Golf Club and William J. Devine Golf Course at Franklin Park from the City of Boston for many years. Flynn passed away in 2011 at the age of 74.