RUTLAND—The Killington Classic, a popular and fast-growing golf event organized by Foreplay Golf Company, will get a new name and a prestigious new home in 2025. Rebranded as the Green Mountain Classic, the tournament will take place on Friday, Oct. 17, at Rutland Country Club, one of Vermont’s top-ranked golf courses.
Foreplay Golf co-founders and Castleton State College alumni Ben Killary and Matt Murphy say the rebrand and venue shift reflects their goal of elevating the player experience while staying true to their roots.
“Hosting an event at Rutland Country Club is a dream come true,” said Killary, a Rutland native and RCC member. “This course was my introduction to golf, and it holds a special place in my heart. We’re going all out to make this the best event we’ve ever produced.”
Rutland Country Club, designed by Wayne Stiles and John Van Kleek, is known for its fast greens and panoramic views, particularly during Vermont’s peak foliage season. Ranked #3 in the state by Golf Digest, the course brings additional prestige to the already well-loved event, which combines competitive golf with a festival-like atmosphere.
The Green Mountain Classic will retain the spirit of the Killington Classic—laid-back, fun, and social—while introducing a few new elements. The 2025 event will include scramble formats of 27, 18, or 9 holes, live music, sponsor activations, giveaways, high-end swag, and a lively post-round celebration.
Foreplay Golf’s events are more than just tournaments—they’re also designed to support small businesses. Co-owner Murphy explained how their media partnership helps deliver value beyond the course.
“Our sponsor team packages aren’t your typical charity outing exposure,” Murphy said. “With help from our professional media partners at LMTLSS, we provide curated content that helps small businesses walk away with promotional tools they wouldn’t otherwise have access to.”
Murphy and Killary met while studying sports administration at Castleton, later becoming the first employees of Spartan Race. That early experience, they say, gave them the tools to build and scale top-tier events.
“Spartan taught us what world-class event production looks like—and how to execute it,” Murphy added. “We’re bringing that energy to Vermont golf and, eventually, the world.”
With limited spots and a strong following, the event is expected to sell out. Foreplay Golf encourages early registration to guarantee a place in what promises to be one of Vermont’s most exciting golf events of the year.
To register, visit: foreplaygolfcompany.com/killington-classic.
