2025 Ulster Charity Golf Outing – supporting seriously injured rugby players
Our guest of honour at the IRFU Charitable Trust 2025 Ulster Charity Golf Outing, Mike Scott, said: “The support I received from the Charitable Trust right from the time of my accident has been a key factor in my rehabilitation and the quality of life I now have.”
Support was the theme of the second Ulster Charity Golf Outing once again hosted by the beautiful Lisburn Golf Club; with the post-golf dinner and Q&A taking place in the recently stunningly refurbished Clubhouse. Many thanks to Lisburn Golf Club, in particular Glenn Walsh for all his support leading up to and during the event, to Mel and his team for another outstanding meal, and to Lady’s Captain Louise MacDonnell and Men’s Captain Gavin Hawkins who joined us on the day.
Tommy Bowe, a long term supporter of the Trust, also very kindly joined us for the day, with his four-ball of Bryn Cunningham, David Humphries and Richie Murphy making up the Q&A panel with Tommy as MC. Thank you to Tommy, Bryn, David and Richie for all your support and a fantastic, entertaining Q&A. Cara McLean, Larne RFC, Ulster Rugby and Ireland U18 Captain, was due to join us for the Q&A but unfortunately could not make it due to training commitments! Best of luck to all for the season ahead and in particular the Women’s Rugby World Cup squad!
We also welcomed seriously injured player Andrew Kelly, who very kindly filmed and captured photographs of the day which you can see on this page. Thank you again Andrew for all your work and for your powerful words during the evening’s interviews. The IRFU Charitable Trust supports 37 seriously injured players, of which 16 are from Ulster. Support comes in many forms for our seriously injured players and their families, including home renovations, car alterations, mobility and for Mike Scott, “support in terms of pieces of equipment, to help me function and live an easier life, and just manage day-to-day.” Like all our seriously injured players, Mike Scott remains an avid rugby fan and you will very often see Mike at Ulster home matches in the newly named Affidea Stadium, as well as at the Aviva for Irish Internationals.
The support Mike, Andrew and all our seriously injured players receive would not be possible without the incredible compassion and generosity of our entire rugby family. Thank you to Ulster Rugby for driving awareness for the event and especially to the thirty-three, yes – thirty-three Ulster Rugby Clubs who got behind the event and sponsored Tee Signs. Please take the time to look through the Table Card on this page to see the Rugby Clubs, as well as local businesses, who supported us on the day. Including those who very kindly donated Raffle Prizes, Winners Prizes and Goody Bag content – with many commenting “That’s the heaviest Goody Bag I’ve ever received!” Thank you as well to those who contributed to the Silent Auction, in particular to Nathan Doak who very kindly offered a kicking coaching clinic for kids as well as a signed jersey.
The day teed-off with all teams registering and receiving their Goody Bags as well as Bacon Baps with tea/coffee provided by Mel and his team. The buzz about the “Hole-in-One” competition commenced with the Honda Car to be won, kindly provided by the Donnelly Group, displayed between the Clubhouse and the 18th green. Many thanks to Stephen Elliot for sponsoring the “Hole-in-One” competition – Stephen was part of the team who put an incredible effort in to making the Golf Day a memorable experience for all; many thanks as well to Jan Cunningham and Philip Gregg for driving the event; as well as Linda Black, Paula Stewart, George Nelson, Marc Sheridan and John Wilson. A special note of thanks as well to Shay Scanlon, along with Paula Stewart, George Nelson and John Callaghan bravely stood witness on the 18th Tee Box in case we had a “Hole-in-One” winner of the Honda car!
The shotgun (siren!) fired at 12:30 with all teams commencing their Scramble. The course was in immaculate condition and the weather couldn’t have been better. After completing their round, golfers were treated to a drinks reception followed by a sit-down meal. Before the meal, Chair of the Trustees for the IRFU Charitable Trust, John Callaghan welcomed everyone and spoke about the vital role the Trust plays. Michael Whelan, the Committee Chair followed, thanking everyone for being there as well as everyone who supported the event. Not long after, the Q&A followed with Tommy Bowe at the helm. After the Q&A, Jan Cunningham interviewed seriously injured player Mike Scott who spoke about the incredible support he receives from the rugby community and how this help and camaraderie has kept his love for the game as strong as ever. Andrew Kelly spoke after Mike about how he refused to accept his initial prognosis and fought to gain as much mobility as possible – something that was inspiring to see when the golfers could see Andrew out and about on the course taking photographs and filming throughout the day. Many thanks again to Mike and Andrew for being with us, and please take the time to watch Andrew’s video from the day, on this page, which is brilliant!
Philip Gregg kindly ran the Winners Presentation – photos of which can be seen on this page. Unfortunately we did not have a “Hole-in-One” winner this year but Stephen Elliot was once again thanked for his very kind sponsorship. Longest Drives winners were (Ladies 8th) Nikki Currie and (Men’s 14th) Glenn Watterson. There were THREE Nearest the Pins presentations – an early prize presentation, a Golf Stand Bag kindly sponsored by Intersport Elverys, was to Paddy Wallace who won the Nearest the Pin at the IRFU Charitable Trust “Irish Rugby 150th Golf Cup” in the K Club early this year but who could not stay for the post-golf activities. For the Ulster Charity Golf Outing, the Nearest the Pin winners were Allan Davidson and Ian Vance, with the prizes kindly sponsored by 1PUTT. 3rd Place followed with last year’s winners, the GMcG Group collecting their prizes, kindly sponsored by the IRFU. Team Mills Selig came second and were presented with a Lisburn Golf Club four-ball, kindly donated and presented by Men’s Captain Gavin Hawkins on behalf of Lisburn Golf Club. Finally the winning team – McConnell Property with a cracking score of 55.4 took home the top prizes – 2025 Motocaddy Club Series Golf Bags, kindly supported by Davy Wilson, Larne RFC.
Congratulations to all winners! And especially McConnell Property, who not only win the bragging rights for a year for the Ulster Charity Golf Outing, but also win an invite to the 2026 IRFU Charitable Trust “Irish Rugby 150th Golf Cup” which takes place in Fota Island Golf Resort on Friday 19th June 2026. The Raffle quickly followed with over 20 prizes to be won, with entertainment once again provided by Philip Gregg! And finally, the Silent Auction ended with some wonderful rugby Lots up for grabs – the detail for which you can see within the Table Card from the event on this page.
The 2026 Ulster Charity Golf Outing will be announced in due course hence please keep an eye out and book early to avoid disappointment.
On behalf of all seriously injured rugby players and their families, many, many thanks again to everyone who took a team, donated prizes, sponsored Tee Signs and supported the event – we greatly appreciate your kindness and commitment.
