The Fox Puss Invitational Tees Off at Boonsboro

Elite amateurs and local standouts converge at Boonsboro for a weekend of championship golf.

The Fox Puss Invitational presented by Baird's Craddock McWane Collins group tees off Friday at Boonsboro Country Club, marking another year of one of Virginia’s premier amateur golf events as a field of top players compete for the coveted Fox Puss trophy. Friday's tee times can be found here.

From Friday through Sunday, the tournament features a strong and diverse field across three divisions — Open, Senior, and Super Senior — bringing together elite amateur golfers from across Virginia and beyond, along with a solid contingent of players with ties to Greater Lynchburg.

History

Since 1971, the tournament has been regarded as one of the Commonwealth’s top amateur men’s golf events. It honors the legacy of two celebrated Boonsboro members — H.M. “Fox” Blankinship and Charles “Puss” Hancock — both former Presidents of the Virginia State Golf Association. Hancock also served as a longtime President of Boonsboro Country Club, helping shape the tournament into the respected event it is today.

The event’s history includes an impressive list of champions, highlighted by three of the 45 members of the Virginia Golf Hall of Fame—Keith Decker, Vinny Giles, and David Partridge. Neil Shipley and former PGA Tour member Steve Liebler are also among past champions.

With multiple amateur golf titles, Giles notably captured both the U.S. Amateur and The British Amateur Championship while also playing in the Masters nine times. Shipley, now competing on the PGA Tour, earned low amateur honors at both the 2024 Masters Tournament and the 2024 U.S. Open after finishing runner-up at the 2023 U.S. Amateur. Decker and Partridge each built decorated amateur careers while former University of South Carolina golf standout and later Gamecock coach Steve Liebler spent five years on the PGA Tour.

Past Fox Puss tourney results can be found through the following links: 2025 2024 2023 2022 2021

Youth Movement

In recent years, the Fox Puss has continued to showcase rising young talent — often balancing championship golf with high school milestones.

Defending champion Lynchburg's Luke Libbey captured last year’s title as a freshman at Liberty University. The 2024 champion, Trey Marrion, won while still a high school senior at Great Bridge HS in Chesapeake VA, and 2023 winner Logan Reilly had just become old enough to earn his driver’s license in Lovettsville, VA.

This week, Libbey is competing with the Liberty Flames in the Conference USA Championship in Texarkana, Arkansas where the Flames made it to Thursday's match play rounds. Liberty will be finishing late Thursday afternoon before he returns to Lynchburg for a Friday 1:30 tee time at Boonsboro.

Greater Lynchburg Presence

Local players have consistently made their mark, adding a strong hometown element to the championship flight. From Connor Burgess and Jimmy Massie to Tom Lawton and Libbey, Greater Lynchburg competitors have long held their own in this field.

Familiar local names in this year’s field include:

• Luke Libbey — Boonsboro / Liberty University
• Tom Lawton — Boonsboro / 2015 Champion
• Jeb Burton V — Boonsboro / T10 (2025)
• Peter Ramsey — Boonsboro
• Penn Willman — Boonsboro
• Preston Laughon — Boonsboro
• Nick Sayer — Boonsboro
• Harris Pearson — Boonsboro
• Shane Quarterley — Boonsboro
• Chris Boswell — Boonsboro
• David Lucado — Boonsboro
• Blake Hogan — Jefferson Forest HS / Liberty University
• Dylan Olinger — University of Lynchburg
• Sean Grzebin — University of Lynchburg
• Tanner Hesse — Liberty Christian Academy / Ivy Hill GC
• Allen Clarke — Ivy Hill GC
• Conner Kail — Jefferson Forest HS

Open Division

This year’s Open Division includes more than half the field carrying plus handicaps.

Despite only two top 10 finishers returning from last year (Libbey and Burton), roughly 37 percent of the field competed in the 2025 event. The field size remains nearly identical.

Players to watch include Libbey, Burton, and Blake Hogan (T10 in 2025), along with two-time champion Ben Keefer and former champions Ryan Stinnett and Tom Lawton. Also in the mix is 2018 Virginia Amateur champion Trey Smith.

Senior Division

The Senior Division features nearly half the field back from last year — including defending champion Bowen Sargent and multiple top 10 finishers.

Boonsboro members competing in the Senior Division include John Jordan, Jason Landes, Gordon Cudd, Ed Willman, Rodney Laughon, and Steve Washburn.

Super Seniors

Last year’s runner-up Tony Green headlines the Super Senior Division. While defending champion David Partridge is not in the field, seven of last year’s top nine finishers return as well as the aforementioned Keith Decker and Steve Liebler.

Boonsboro members in this division include Rick Bendall, Bert Allen, and James Burton IV.

Retired Lynchburg physician Dr. Bendall once bunked in the Crow’s Nest at Augusta National Golf Club during the 1972 Masters Tournament—where he played alongside Ben Crenshaw—and later went on to win the Virginia State Open twice.

Meanwhile, Bert Allen stands alone as the only local golfer to capture the Fox Puss Super Senior title, earning that distinction with his 2023 victory.

Stay in Touch

Click here to follow the Fox Puss Invitational in real time with live scoring, tee times, and everything you need to stay connected throughout the weekend.

Boonsboro Sets the Stage

While the field draws the headlines, Boonsboro Country Club continues to be a defining part of what makes the Fox Puss Invitational special.

Unlike many clubs that host high-level amateur events, Boonsboro strikes a rare balance — delivering a championship-caliber test while maintaining a welcoming, member-driven atmosphere. It’s a place where players know they’ll be challenged but also appreciated.

That standard has been built over time and continues today through the leadership of Director of Golf Aaron Marks and Head Golf Professional David Phillips, along with a membership that takes pride in the event and its reputation across the state.

Returning as tournament chairman is Norman Darden, a longtime member and the current President of the Club. He echoes his comments from last year on why he took on the role, he said simply, “I love golf, I love Boonsboro, I love Lynchburg, and I want to give back to the golfing community.”

Behind the scenes, the work of the course maintenance team is just as critical. Head Golf Course Superintendent Ken O’Brien and his staff once again have the course in outstanding condition heading into the tournament. Tournament preparation always comes with its share of challenges, but the result is what players have come to expect —a layout that rewards precision.

By the time the first tee shots are in the air, Boonsboro will once again present a true and consistent test — one that has helped define this tournament for more than five decades.

Fore!

Play begins each day with morning tee times starting at 7:30 a.m., followed by afternoon sessions at 12:30 p.m., across all three days at Boonsboro Country Club.

Come out and follow your favorite. Set up a chair near holes 8 or 12 and take in the views. The weather looks (mostly) promising.

As always, the Fox Puss blends tradition, elite competition, and local pride — a combination that continues to define one of Virginia’s most respected men's amateur golf tournaments.