On Monday, September 8, 2025, Autism New Jersey hosted its 27th Annual Applied Underwriters Golf Invitational at the beautiful Fiddler’s Elbow Country Club. With nearly 300 golfers enjoying perfect weather across all three courses, this year’s event was one to remember.
A Day of Golf & Generosity
The day began with our traditional BBQ buffet, fueling players before the shotgun start. For the first time, thanks to the generosity of the Aquino Family Foundation, golfers enjoyed a special Pre-Game Sponsorship with refreshing drinks to kick off their rounds. Adding to the excitement, air cannons were set up on each course, giving golfers a chance to send their shots soaring.
Cocktails, Dinner, and Awards
After a full day of golf under beautiful skies, guests gathered for cocktails and dinner. During the evening program, Executive Director Dr. Suzanne Buchanan proudly previewed Autism New Jersey’s new logo (which will be publicly debuted in November). Co-Chair Steve Pellegrinelli emceed the event and announced the top four foursomes on each course.
The evening also featured our silent auction, which raised an impressive $31,000. Auction highlights included four tickets to Adam Sandler’s show donated personally by him, as well as exclusive New York Giants and New Jersey Devils VIP experiences.
Thank You to Our Sponsors
This tremendous success would not have been possible without the support of our sponsors:
- Title Sponsor: Applied Underwriters
- Presenting Sponsor: The Michael J. Valiant Sr. Foundation
- Eagle Sponsors: The Aquino Family Foundation, The Corwin Family Foundation, KMB Design Group, and Pala Casino Spa Resort
Honoring Our Committee
We are deeply grateful to our outstanding Golf Committee, whose dedication makes this event possible year after year:
Co-Chairs: Steve Pellegrinelli and Mike Aquino
Committee Members (alphabetical order):
- Steve Bray
- Kevin Doherty
- Kevin Kesselman
- Jackie Kelly
- Tim Kane
- Mike Maron
- Jamie McGovern
- Josh Pini
- Robert Stoute
- Gino Valiant
Save the Date!
The date for next year’s 28th Annual Applied Underwriters Golf Invitational will be announced soon!
Thank you to everyone who joined us for this incredible day of golf, friendship, and generosity. Together, we are making a difference for individuals with autism and their families across New Jersey.