By Julliana Bravo
Meredith Dwyer was always an athlete growing up. She played travel basketball, soccer, and golf in her junior years, tennis in college, and when she lived in California, she tried surfing and beach volleyball.
She started taking golf lessons her freshman year of high school and in her junior year, she made the varsity team. But once she got to college at Loyola University at Maryland, she shifted her focus to tennis, leaving golf as more of a hobby.
It wasn’t until after her surgery that she looked at golf in a new light. Dwyer was born with a club foot and when multiple surgeries between 2015 and 2022 didn’t help alleviate pain, she had a below-the-knee amputation in October of 2023. A reunion of sorts with golf has led her on a new journey in the game, including competing in the U.S. Adaptive Open Championship this year.
“Growing up, I always had a slight disability, but never saw it that way,” says the 30-year-old Dwyer of Hackensack, N.J., who plays her golf at public facilities in New Jersey.
Her swing was already different to accommodate for her foot and there was always a bit of pain associated with golf. That’s a big part of the change now for Dwyer.
“It’s easier to play now since I'm not in a lot of pain anymore,” she admits.
With her heightened focus on golf, Dwyer is owning her swing and making the most of the opportunity. She’s working with a coach, Daniel Hammer, who is also a below-the-knee amputee. Dwyer says it’s great to work with someone who understands the limitations but also knows how to maximize her strength.
Even after her surgery, Dwyer has made it a priority to maintain her active, athletic DNA. This past summer, the Challenge Athletes Foundation donated her a running blade. That led her to participate in her first track and field event, during which she competed in shot put, discus, and long jump.
Dwyer’s journey to the U.S. Adaptive Open was filled with support from her community. She was encouraged to earn the medalist qualifying position in the MGA-conducted qualifier at Haworth Country Club in late April.
While Dwyer doesn’t get the chance to interact with many amputees in her day-to-day life, the qualifier and the Open allowed her to meet the community of adaptive golfers.
Dwyer has found that at adaptive events the emphasis is on competitors’ ability rather than any disability. Everyone is supportive, and there’s still a natural sense of competition that’s embedded in athletes. For Dwyer, such competition is important to her and she’s always had that drive in her.
As for future goals, Meredith is not done just yet. She wants to continue focusing on golf, but she also has big dreams to compete in the 2028 Paralympics. Golf is not yet in the Paralympics, but she’s looking into participating in shot put. It’s a big dream, but Dwyer is optimistic, especially following her successful return to golf.