By Andy Furman
Point/Arc
At 50, Chris Revay is at the age to qualify for men’s golf senior tours, such as the PGA Tour Champions and the European Legends Tour.
But first, it’s the USA Games for Revay.
The USA Games, refers to the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games, a massive national sporting event taking place in the Twin Cities, Minnesota.
The games run from June 20 to June 26th, bringing together nearly 3,000 athletes from all 50 states to compete in a range of Olympic-type sports.
Chris Revay will be one of 111 nation-wide golfers competing – and one of four from the Commonwealth of Kentucky.
And the first – and only Olympian representing The Point/Arc of Covington, the 54-year-old nonprofit servicing individuals with intellectual and developmental (I/DD) disabilities.
“I have a reading and spelling disability,” he said, “And I live —with my wife of nine years – in one of The Point’s apartments.”
The Point/Arc owns and operates 18 residential homes – seven-days-a-week, 365 days-a-year as well as several apartments.
But most of Revay’s time is spent on the golf course – practicing. “I started loving the game of golf when I was about eight years old,” he said. “I watched it on TV, and always wanted to be a pro. Actually, I learned the game on my own.”
And qualified for the USA Games.
“To qualify,” he said, “one must win a Gold Medal at the state level – I did, last year in Lexington.”
The Boone County Hight School grad – he was a member of their golf team – shot a 46 – a 36 after eight holes – last year, to earn that gold.
In Minneapolis, Revay will be one of 111 golfers, and their competition will consist of an 18-hole individual event, nine-hole individual, unified team and skills events.
“I’ll be competing in the nine-hole individual,” he said.
His schedule looks like this: Sunday, June 21st, practice; the 23rd, Division Round; the 24-25, Finals, with the Medal Round on the 26th.
“Excited, yes,” he says, “but not nervous.”
Why?
Well, he’s no stranger to these Games.
“This will be my second appearance in the USA Games,” he said. “In 2006, in Iowa, I placed fourth.”
Revay juggles his golf while working at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Florence.
“My work schedule is noon-8:30 p.m. Monday, Thursday and Friday; and every-other-weekend.
“I practice my golf Tuesdays and Wednesday.”
That practice has paid off – Revay says he had a hole-in-one in 2000 on hole 17 – 101 yards – in Port St. Lucie, Fla.
“There was an alligator in their tee box,” he said.
And his medal collection also includes track and field.
“I won Gold in the Commonwealth of Kentucky Special Olympic Games several times,” he said. “I ran the 100-meters and competed in five events at those Games in Richmond, Ky.”
But golf, he says, is his favorite.
“My goal is to one day play with the pros. I’m driving about 260 yards now,” he said.
His dream of playing with the pros may be coming just bit closer – thanks to Justin Thomas.
“Justin Thomas donated shirts, balls, shoes, golf bags and paid for all Kentucky golfers’ trips to the USA Games,” Revay said.
Thomas, who has 16 wins on the PGA Tour, was born and raised in Louisville, Kentucky, and graduated from St. Xavier High School (2011). Thomas’s father, Mike Thomas, has been the head professional at the Harmony Landing Country Club in Goshen, Kentucky since 1990.
In 2019, Justin Thomas revealed that he had been diagnosed with a form of skin cancer and underwent surgery to remove a melanoma from his leg. Since then, he has encouraged young athletes and fans to prioritize sun safety and regular dermatology checkups.
The Opening Ceremony for the games is set for the Huntington Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, featuring the Parade of Athletes the lighting of the cauldron, and performances by Demi Lovato and Jon Batiste.
The main events take place across the University of Minnesota campus and National Sports Center in Blaine.
But for Chris Revay, it’ll be all about the golf course – and a medal.