OCTOBER 17–19, 2025 · THE FIRST STORM KING INVITATIONAL
A New Name. A New Home.
The Same Spirit.
For more than a decade, the Bright Spot Unified Challenge brought golfers from every background together as teammates. In 2025 it came to Storm King and became the Storm King Invitational, and its first year ended the only way it could: in a playoff.
THE STORY
From Bright Spot to Storm King
The tradition didn't start here. It found a home here.
YEAR 2011
Golf as common ground
Brightspot begins using golf to bring together teenagers, veterans and people with intellectual disabilities.
YEAR 2013
The first Bright Spot Unified Challenge
The Challenge launches, pairing Special Olympics athletes, First Tee graduates, and veterans as teammates.
YEAR 2022
Back after the pandemic
After a pause, the Challenge returns alongside the Wells Fargo Championship Pro-Am.
YEAR 2025
It becomes the Storm King Invitational
The Challenge takes a new name and a permanent home at Storm King Golf Club in Cornwall, New York, with the Hudson Valley Golf Foundation. Twenty-four adaptive athletes are invited to the first edition.
YEAR ONE
Core Pillars
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17
Kick Off
Players arrived, then went out to the course for a Twilight Par-3 Contest on the 15-hole par-3 routing, followed by a welcome dinner.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 18
Match Play Begins
An opening ceremony, then two rounds: best ball in the morning and alternate shot on a routing of the course's toughest holes. Dinner at Blu Pointe in Newburgh.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 19
Finals
A scramble/alternate-shot third round, then best-ball finals. When regulation ended, the championship still wasn't settled.
THE FINISH
Decided In a Playoff
The first Storm King Invitational needed extra holes. Team Build Different won the playoff over Team Legend Crew to become the first champions in the event's new home.
