Former Naval officer Billy Hurley showed up at Jennings Mill Golf Course on Monday as one 107 golfers attempting to qualify for seven spots in the Stadion Classic at UGA tournament, a Nationwide Tour event. Thirty minutes before his appointed tee time, however, Hurley was offered a sponsor's exemption.
It seems the death of al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden has everyone feeling a little extra patriotic.
"It was totally unexpected; never even crossed my mind," said Hurley, who was assured of a spot in the $550,000 event. "It's not like I was going to say no. I didn't know what to say. It was awesome."
Why the free pass into a pro golf tournament for the Annapolis, Md., man? According to Stadion organizers, Hurley's service to his country got their attention.
Two players set to claim sponsor's exemptions were able to qualify on their own. That left tournament officials scrambling for worthy recipients. They remembered Hurley.
"We get dozens of letters from folks interested in possibly getting an exemption," said Judd Doherty, Stadion Money Management president. "We didn't know until this morning after the shuffle who all we'd have in the field. I had read through Billy's letter weeks ago and, with the events of yesterday, it just hit me that he was the one we should give it to."
Hurley played college golf for the U.S. Naval Academy. After graduating, he served five years on aircraft carriers and destroyers around the world. Four years ago, Hurley was a first lieutenant on the U.S.S. Chung-Hoon and anchored 12 miles off the Iraqi coast, guarding two of the biggest oil platforms in the world.
Hurley took in the news of bin Laden's death with more than a passing interest. That it came at the hands of Navy Seals was a point of pride.
"I was getting ready for bed because I had to get up early to qualify and a buddy of mine sent me a text message," Hurley said. "It said, ‘We finally got bin Laden.'"
Hurley was not a Navy Seal, but has several friends and acquaintances who are, and is familiar with the special unit known as Team Six.
"You have no idea how elite of those guys are," Hurley said. "They do a lot of cutting-edge stuff. I don't even know everything about them, but those guys are the best of the best of the best. Those guys are legit warriors, the best warriors our country has to offer."
Hurley left the Navy in June 2009 after his mandated, five-year appointment was up. He was a standout golfer at the Naval Academy for teams that won conference championships, competed in an NCAA tournament and earned a spot on the U.S. Walker Cup team.
Other than a couple of "ship driving championships," he had to give up the game to serve his country
"For two years I became a recreational golfer," Hurley said. "I probably averaged playing once a month. There was a three-month stretch where I played once and a five-month stretch I played once."
When he finished his hitch, Hurley decided to resume his professional golfer pursuits.
"I was very rusty," he said. "I just started playing and practicing again. It was a full-time job at that point and I wanted to do it as long as I can."
Hurley made it to the final stage of PGA Tour qualifying, and has played in eight PGA Tour and several Nationwide events. Mainly, he's been a grinder trying to play his way into tournaments. The sponsor's exemption was a welcome perk.
"Call it karma, call it fate, but we're just really glad we could use it on somebody like this," Doherty said.
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