Golfer David Howard set for 65 Challenge

David Hoadviward, the 25 year old Irish international golfer is taking part in the Cystic Fibrosis 65 Rose Challenge this month, but instead of running or jogging 65 kilometres in February, he’s planning to cover 65km on the golf course while playing.

Howard has Cystic Fibrosis and is while the illness isn’t holding him back, he is acutely aware of the impact it has on many people in Ireland. 

He is joining their 65 Roses Challenge this month in an effort to raise funds and draw awareness to the campaign. 

And he’s planning to do it on the golf course.

“Some people are running, walking and cycling. I said I would put my own twist on it, I am a keen golfer you could say! 

"If I do 65km of golfing and raise awareness and raise funds for something I am pretty involved with having got cystic fibrosis myself so this is something that would directly benefit the community of people with cystic fibrosis which would be a huge bonus.”

The Fota Island member is off and running and he’s tracking his progress with regular updates on Instagram. 

A round of golf in Fota on Sunday Howard was up to 9km on his journey to 65. 

Anyone can follow the challenge through his Instagram page @davidhoward and details of how to donate are also on the page. 

While he doesn’t have a target amount in mind, David is hoping that as many people as possible will get behind the fundraiser which will support Cystic Fibrosis Ireland. 

The charity is involved in providing advice and information to people with the condition.

Last year David became an ambassador for Cystic Fibrosis Ireland, showing sufferers and families that CF is no longer life threatening. 

Advances in research and medications have meant that patients like David can go on to live a very full and active life. 

While CF is still a very serious lifelong illness, research into novel modulator therapy combinations has been key to helping patients. 

CF Ireland was one of the bodies who funded this research.

It was a shock for the Howards nearly 20 years ago when David was diagnosed with the illness at the age of seven. 

“No one in the family had it so it was a big shock,” said David when speaking to the Irish Examiner last year. 

“When you’re younger you wonder ‘why me?’ and feel sorry for yourself, but it is what it is. I try to take the positives out of it and keep going.”

David continued to improve on the course and after winning the Muskerry Junior Scratch Trophy in 2019 he saw his handicap drop to scratch. Since then Howard has continued to lower his handicap, and he has excelled in national championships.

Shortly after the Examiner article was published he finished in the top ten in the Irish Amateur Open. 

He went on to win the historic East of Ireland Championship in Co Louth Golf Club in June, and after a good showing in the South of Ireland a month later, he earned selection onto the Irish team for the Home Internationals. 

He went on to represent Ireland at several events in 2025, and he was part of the Irish team that competed in the Octagonal Series in Spain last month.

While David has had plenty of success in the past two years, including playing in Europe and the US, his illness is never too far away from his thoughts with his CF medication just as important as his golf equipment. 

“It can be tough when I am travelling to play events abroad and I need a 10kg suitcase just for my medication” explained Howard. 

“I have different medication in the morning, evening and modulators and I have to take medication when I eat so on the course I have to remember to have my medication with me before I have my snacks.

“In recent years my health has been a lot better due to the advancements in medication and that goes down to the research being done so I’m just trying to do my bit and give back. 

"To me it’s my normal but yeah there is a lot of planning and organising in it and remembering to keep on top of medication and treatments when I’m away.”

David’s Irish season will kick off in Co Sligo in early April with the West of Ireland, an event that he has enjoyed for the past two years. 

With one Championship in the bag from last year, he’ll be loadvoking to that in 2026.