The inaugural Storm King Invitational brought a longstanding tradition of competition, teamwork, and camaraderie to Storm King Golf Club, marking a new chapter for the event formerly known as the Bright Spot Unified Challenge.
The Storm King Invitational Championship trophy marks a new chapter in the tournament’s history as the longstanding competition makes its debut at Storm King Golf Club in 2025.
In October 2025, Storm King Golf Club welcomed the first Storm King Invitational, bringing together 24 adaptive golfers, Special Olympics athletes, and veterans for three days of championship golf, teamwork, and shared experiences.
While the event marked a first for Storm King, its history stretches back more than a decade. Originally established as the Bright Spot Unified Challenge in 2013, the tournament was created to bring together athletes from different backgrounds through the game of golf. What began as a competition uniting Special Olympics athletes, First Tee graduates, and veterans has evolved into a longstanding tradition centered around athletic achievement, teamwork, and friendship.
In 2025, that tradition found a new home at Storm King Golf Club in Cornwall, New York, continuing under the Hudson Valley Golf Foundation as the Storm King Invitational.
Three Days of Championship Golf
Amy Bockerstette and Annmarie D’Hondt share a moment of camaraderie during the 2025 Storm King Invitational.
Held October 17–19, the inaugural Invitational introduced competitors to Storm King's unique playing environment, where expansive shared greens, changing elevations, and creative hole configurations offered a different approach to championship golf.
The 24 competitors were divided into four teams of six: Team Gangsters, Team Legend Crew, Team Built Different, and Team Swing Kings. Each team brought together adaptive golfers, Special Olympics athletes, and veterans, creating a competitive environment where athletes contributed their individual strengths toward a shared championship goal.
The competition began Friday with a Twilight Par-3 Contest, featuring 15 holes across the property. The opening round gave athletes an opportunity to explore Storm King's distinctive design before gathering for a welcome dinner.
Saturday marked the beginning of team match play, with an opening ceremony followed by two competitive rounds. Golfers competed in Best Ball matches during the morning before transitioning to Alternate Shot on a selection of the property's most challenging holes.
The championship continued Sunday with Alternate Shot followed by Singles matches, testing each team's versatility, strategy, and ability to perform under pressure.
A Championship Decided in a Playoff
Team Legend Crew's Zachary Duncan, Ricky Reilly, and Justin Castellanos prepare for the championship playoff at the inaugural Storm King Invitational.
The inaugural Storm King Invitational delivered a dramatic finish as Team Built Different and Team Legend Crew found themselves tied after regulation play, forcing a championship playoff.
Each team captain selected three players to compete in a scramble format, with one representative from each of the Invitational's three athlete groups: adaptive golfers, Special Olympics athletes, and veterans. Adding another layer of strategy, each team designated one player as its exclusive putter before the playoff began. Once the ball reached the green, only that player could putt.
Team Built Different was represented by captain Robby Donarski (adaptive), Scott Rohrer (Special Olympics), and Mike Pappas (veteran).
Team Legend Crew, led by captain Larry Celano, selected Ricky Reilly (adaptive), Zachary Duncan (Special Olympics), and Justin Castellanos (veteran).
With the championship on the line, both teams faced a final test of teamwork, strategy, and execution. Team Built Different secured the victory with a two-putt finish, becoming the first Storm King Invitational champions.
The playoff provided a fitting conclusion to the inaugural event, showcasing the competitive spirit, individual talent, and collaboration that define the Storm King Invitational.
Continuing the Tradition
For the Hudson Valley Golf Foundation, bringing the Invitational to Storm King represented an opportunity to build upon an established tradition while creating a new home for competitive golf among athletes of varying abilities and backgrounds.
The Invitational reflects the Foundation's commitment to providing meaningful opportunities for adaptive golfers, Special Olympics athletes, and veterans to compete at a high level while building lasting connections through the game.
Storm King's unique design creates additional possibilities for that mission. With a landscape that encourages creativity, adaptability, and different approaches to play, the property provides an environment where athletes can challenge themselves through a wide variety of competitive formats.
The first Storm King Invitational was more than the introduction of a new tournament name. It marked the continuation of a tradition, the beginning of a new chapter, and an opportunity to further the Foundation's commitment to competitive golf.
As we celebrate the inaugural champions and everyone who helped make the 2025 event possible, we look forward to continuing this tradition at Storm King, where competition, opportunity, and community come together through GOLF REIMAGINED™.
