Fox Puss Golf Tourney Underway at Boonsboro

The prestigious Boonsboro Invitational started Friday at Boonsboro Country Club, marking its fifty-first edition with one hundred and fifty top-notch amateur golfers vying for the coveted Fox Puss trophy.

From Friday through Sunday, the tournament at Boonsboro Country Club features a diverse field across three divisions.

Renowned as the Fox Puss Invitational over the years, the event has attracted some of the finest men’s amateur golfers from Virginia and beyond. The tournament honors the contributions of two revered members of Boonsboro – Mr. H. M. “Fox” Blankinship and Mr. Charles “Puss” Hancock, both former Presidents of the Virginia State Golf Association. Mr. Hancock also served as a long-standing President of Boonsboro Country Club.

Past winners of the Fox Puss championship include esteemed figures such as Keith Decker, Vinny Giles, David Partridge, and Steve Liebler, all members of the Virginia Golf Hall of Fame. Giles notably holds victories in both the US and British amateurs, while Liebler has competed on the PGA tour. Decker holds the distinction of being the sole player in the United States to have participated in all twelve editions of the USGA Men’s State Team Championship, while Partridge has tasted victory at nearly all levels in Virginia State Golf Association events.

In recent years, the tournament has seen the rise of equally accomplished champions. Notable among them is Neal Shipley, a two-time Fox Puss champion, who recently made waves in Augusta, GA. There, he clinched the prestigious low amateur title during the Masters tournament and captured the spotlight during the Butler Cabin ceremony.

 Local talent has also shone brightly, with Lynchburg natives like current Korn Ferry tour player Connor Burgess, Jimmy Massie, and financial advisor Tom Lawton making their mark.

The defending champion, 17-year-old Logan Reilly from Bishop O'Connell High School in Arlington, returns to defend his title against a formidable field, including runner up David Stanford, past two-time champion Ben Keefer, known for his resilience in the face of tough competition, and many others capable of winning the trophy.

In the senior division, Jon Hurst eyes a third consecutive title, while veterans like Buck Brittain and Steve Liebler add to the competitive mix. Bert Allen, representing Boonsboro, aims to maintain his dominance in the super senior division.

Consistency reigns in the sentiments expressed by golfers across numerous interviews over the years. They consistently praise the golf course conditions, the competition, the organization of the tournament, and the camaraderie shared among fellow competitors.

Each day play begins with the morning sessions teeing off at 7:30 AM with the afternoon sessions at 12:30 PM for all three days at Boonsboro Country Club. To view a live leaderboard, tee times and more click here.