Tom Johnson reports on the championships held at Foxburg Country Club, Aug. 7-9, 2025:
Our events for this year included the 5th International Feathery Challenge (IFC) on Thursday, with the 27th National Hickory Championship and the various divisions of the 17th Foxburg Hickory Championship played Friday and Saturday.
Five years, 17 years, 27 years. The impressive uninterrupted annual successions of these fine events are not only indicative of our strong passion for early golf, but more importantly the humility and camaraderie created playing the most difficult golf on the most reverential of grounds. Foxburg Country Club is such a special place, the vibes greatly enhanced by the character of the competitors and the graciousness of the guests in attendance. The ambiance of Foxburg Country Club created another great social gathering with competitive golf in the most encouraging atmosphere.
We enjoyed an international field again this year with contestants and guests attending from 15 states and Canada. The weather was outstanding, cool mornings, partly cloudy afternoons, with temperatures peaking as we completed play.
International Feathery Challenge, Aug. 7
The competition opened with the International Feathery Challenge hosted and directed by Ross Snellings and Billy Hamilton (Augusta, Ga.). We had 10 entries this year, with commitments from many for next year. Foxburg’s holes were modified to the appropriate lengths, competition was keen with tight scoring throughout the nine-hole round.
Posting scores of 46, Billy Wardwell (Turner Falls, Mass.) finished fifth after a one-hole playoff with Rusty Ravert (Missouri). Fourth position went to Ross Snellings (Georgia) with a 44. Will Hamilton (Georgia) posted a solid 43 to secure the third place slot. Jacob Smith (North Carolina) hung close, posting a solid 41, but Rob Geiger (Pennsylvania) closed strong with a 39 to secure the victory in the first feather ball event at this reverent site.
National Hickory Championship and the Foxburg Hickory Championship
Friday (Aug. 8) competitions included the premier events of the previously mentioned 27th annual National Hickory Championship held concurrently with the 17th Foxburg Hickory Championship.
Play began with perfect weather, temperatures in the mid-60s F. The 138-year-old layout was in fine shape, firm and fast, wonderfully matching pre-1900 conditions.
Review of Friday’s play begins with the Park Division for the NHC and FHC. Friday scores for the Park Division were led by James Kaiser (Kentucky) and Bill Wardwell with fine scores of 82 (par 74 for reference). Local favorite Logan Pistorius held the third position with a solid 84, with Joey Piatek (Indiana) holding the fourth position with 85.
Braid Division scoring was led by Jim Wilhelm (Ontario, Canada) with a notable 87, followed by Mike Campailla (Ohio) with 90, George Galligan (Wisconsin) with 94 was third, closely followed by Dave Long (Wisconsin) and Jim Rood (Indiana) rounding out the top five with 95.
Post-1900 scoring was led by George Petro (New York) with 89, followed by Bob Mirt (Pennsylvania), Bill Robertson (Ontario, Canada), and Chris Miller (Pennsylvania).
Saturday’s play started with similar weather conditions, eventually warming up in the afternoon with a refreshing breeze keeping conditions pleasant. Scoring held steady, with the course holding its own against the varied competitions.
Tom Johnson, host of the Foxburg Hickory Championships, recognizes Frank Rosenzweig, center, and James ‘Wally’ Koss for their long-time support of the tournament and of hickory golf.
On Saturday we took the opportunity to open the award ceremony by recognizing two long-time and highly revered Foxburg Hickory Championship participants. Jim ‘Wally’ Koss and Frank Rosenzweig were awarded the Mike Just Perseverance Award for 2025. Wally and Frank were each presented one of the original Park balls provided from our initial year of 2009. We were one of the first events to use the McIntyre gutty in 2009. Those early editions were boxed with Foxburg CC, est. 1887 printed on them. I have saved the balance of these for special dispensation. My sentimental attachment to these gifts pales in my admiration of these two gentlemen and what they have done for our game. Their contribution is much more than their play and attendance of the FHC. Both Frank and Wally have provided years of support of Foxburg Country Club as long-distance members, but their heartfelt support provided to myself and Karen over the years is sincerely appreciated.
The first-year Park ball.
Returning to the competition…
The featured events of the National Hickory Championship and Foxburg Hickory Championship Open Division were the focus of Saturday’s competition; there were several closely matched pairings in the various divisions.
In the NHC and FHC Open division, the final round started with James Kaiser who birdied the first and second holes of the day. Unfortunately, James could not sustain his outstanding play, and as the round progressed permitted the field to close the gap.
Bill ‘Wardy’ Wardwell, displaying the consistent golf needed in gutty play, eventually gained the lead late in the round and secured the victory. His score of 82 (164) was enough to earn him the come-from-behind win and the title of the 27th National Hickory Champion. Wardy’s 2025 victory is his second NHC title. The first, in 2016 at Oakhurst Links, was the year Lee Trevino visited us: very special.
Additionally, along with his NHC success, Wardy successfully defended his 2024 FHC medalist award and added the 17th Foxburg Hickory Champion for 2025 to his growing list of hickory titles. Congratulations and well-played Mr. Wardwell!
Runner-up in the FHC and NHC Open was long-time Foxburg supporter James Kaiser with 84 (166). Following up in third for the two Open events was Joey Piatek (168) with member Logan Pistorius (169) coming in 4th. Bill Geisler produced the medalist round of the event with an 81 on Saturday, to capture the 5th position in the NHC.
Notably, in the Park Division, Will Hamilton posted a nice 82 Saturday after a maddening 101 Friday. That 19-shot improvement is remarkable. Look out for Will in future years as we expect him to be force to be reckoned with.
Saturday’s Braid division scores also created drama as the scores were posted and positions in a couple of divisions were scrutinized.
The Braid Open Champion certainly did not require much scrutiny. Jim Wilhelm bettered his Friday round, posting an 87 and 176 total for the 36 holes, cruising to a handy victory.
The Braid Senior Division crown was captured by George Galligan. George posted 92 for a total of 186. Dr. Bern Bernacki (Pennsylvania) secured the Senior runner-up position, with Jim Rood (Indiana) making the podium in the third position.
Braid Master Champion was Mike Campailla with a total of 188. The runner-up position in the Braid Master Division went to Dave Long. One additional shot back was local member and long-time FHC player John Brosnahan.
Results in the Post-1900 division identified newcomer George Petro as our Champion. George returned an 89 Saturday, posting a total of 179. The Runner-up position in the Post-1900 division was claimed by Chris Miller coming in with a 92 and 187 total.
The Post-1900 Masters Division was claimed by longtime supporter and crowd favorite Bob Mirt. His 93-92 scores for the two days displayed his consistency, the secret to his long-term success. Ron Miller claimed the Runner-up position. His 90 on Saturday was an 11-shot improvement from Friday, but still was not low enough to catch steady Bob Mirt.
Once we completed the award ceremony, we held the raffle to further benefit FCC. Among the prizes was a beautiful purpleheart wooden niblick crafted by clubmaker Kelly Leonard, a Foxburg CC membership (donated by the club’s board of directors), a beautiful Bag Boy golf bag, and other pertinent Foxburg items.
Elmer Nahum was the first ticket drawn. Elmer, a relatively local resident and clubmaker himself, selected the FCC membership. Nothing like being a member of the oldest club in this country. Dave Long, the second ticket selected, chose the beautiful wooden niblick. Jim Wilhelm, the third ticket drawn, selected the Bag Boy golf bag.
Karen and I would like to thank everyone who attended the event. It is such a wonderful time. I am confident seeing old friends is heartwarming to you as well as it is to both of us.
We are fortunate to have so many guests join us, thank you so much. You add a presence to the Foxburg front porch, support and console the players, take care of the fundamental items that help our week go like clockwork. All of you are becoming our most cherished friends.
Special thanks to the club staff and the members for the hospitality shown to us year in and year out. Dawn, Phil, and Matt all went out their way to ensure each of us had a great experience and the club put its best foot forward.
Special thanks to Dick Leavy for his work behind the scenes to control the little nuances of Foxburg that make the place special for us. He was always there whenever we needed something. Recently trying the hickory game, Mr. Leavy may join us on the links next year.
Speaking of next year, the Foxburg Hickory Championships will be held Aug. 13-15, 2026. The feathery event, both gutty events, and a post-1900 event are scheduled with hopes of adding a member event. We look forward to another great week of fellowship and golf.
Foxburg Country club appreciates your support, Karen and I appreciate your friendship.
Click here for the full results of the 2025 Foxburg Hickory Championships.
Photographs
Rusty Ravert sent me the link to the photos he took during his three days at the 28th National Hickory Championship, Foxburg Hickory Championship, and the International Featherie Challenge. Click here to view his photos. Rusty is very good with the camera, especially early golf events. This year marked his 28th National Hickory Championship. It was his first Foxburg Hickory Championship. Hopefully, he joins us for many more.
The field at the 2025 Foxburg Hickory Championships.
