Charlotte’s Belmont club gets lunch, surprise visit from golf star Rory McIlroy

It's not every day that a kid gets to speak with one of the top athletes in the world on FaceTime. But Boys & Girls Club members from the Belmont Avenue Club in Charlotte, North Carolina, had the chance to chat with professional golfer Rory McIlroy this week, as he took time out of his schedule at the Wells Fargo Championship at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte to check in on the club's kids.

In celebration of his 30th birthday, McIlroy and his corporate partner Optum provided healthy lunches for Belmont Avenue Club members on Wednesday, May 1. The call was an added treat, as the kids had the opportunity to ask the world-famous golfer a few questions and sing him "Happy Birthday." McIlroy finished the tournament tied for eighth place on the leaderboard.

The healthy lunches were a part of McIlroy's and Optum's effort to support and encourage children to participate in the Boys & Girls Club Healthy Choices program. The Healthy Choices program emphasizes good nutrition, regular physical activity and improving overall well-being. McIlroy and Optum provided approximately 500 lunches for all Charlotte Boys & Girls Club locations on May 1.

"Someone once told me, ‘You can't be what you can't see,' so having Rory come into our environment gives the kids here the opportunity to see something new that they might aspire to or enjoy as a hobby," said Major Larry Broome, Charlotte area commander. "We are so thankful to Optum and Rory for this. I think he'll have a lot of new young fans cheering him on through the championship."