14 Charities Benefit from Austal USA Charity Golf Invitational
MOBILE, Ala. – Austal USA’s 2025 Charity Golf Invitational, held last Friday, raised over $225,000 for 14 local charities. This event, held annually for over a decade at the Magnolia Grove Golf Course, has raised over $2.7 million for local non-profit organizations, including long-time event partner United Way of Southwest Alabama. The charity invitational is one of the many ways Austal USA gives back to the community whose enduring support has enabled the company’s success as a major defense contractor for 25 years.
This year, a record-breaking 80 teams participated in the invitational which benefited the following 14 charities in Mobile and Baldwin County: Blacksmith Experience, Camp Rapahope, Eastern Shore Recovery Foundation, Feeding the Gulf Coast, Fuse Project, H2Overecome, Home of Grace, Make-a-Wish of Alabama, Ransom Ministries, Ruff Wilson Youth Organization, Secret Meals, SEEDS, U.S. Coast Guard Foundation, and United Way of Southwest Alabama. These organizations were selected based on their charitable missions and the impact that their projects would make with the funding from the tournament.
“This was the 14th year we have been doing this event and it’s always great to see all of these people come together each year to raise money for such worthy causes while having a good time on the golf course,” Austal USA Vice President for Business Development and External Affairs Lawrence Ryder said. “This event is one of the highlights of the year at Austal USA and its continued success is the result of our great sponsors and our community partners.”
“United Way of Southwest Alabama is a proud community partner of Austal USA. For over a decade, we have worked with their team to facilitate contributions to local nonprofits that provide transformative programs for children, families, veterans, people experiencing homelessness as well as those in recovery,” said United Way of Southwest Alabama President/CEO Justin Bixler. “Austal USA’s dedication to our local community and region is second to none. The funds raised in this event will support nearly 30,000 individuals. We want to genuinely thank Austal USA’s sponsors and suppliers for their shared commitment to our city and state. Their continued investment is valued and we are proud of their dedication to our region and the incredible workforce that call Southwest Alabama home.”
"Every donation we receive directly fuels our mission, allowing us to expand our reach to end childhood food insecurity in the communities we serve,” stated Nicole Fulgham with Secret Meals. “Austal USA and their event sponsor’s generosity ensures that we never have to turn a hungry child away."
"These funds will be used to provide a free, week-long summer camp for children who have been diagnosed with cancer,” commented Melissa McNichol, Camp Rapahope Executive Director. “We spend each minute giving these children experiences that cancer tried to take away from them. The support provided by all of the participants of this charity event will allow us to provide a week full of laughs and hope."
Planning has begun for next year’s event which will be held on Friday, March 13, 2026.
