Yesterday’s broadcast of the Bay Hill PGA tournament (at Arnold Palmer’s home course) featured a short story by commentator Jimmy Roberts on golfer Billy Hurley III, who finished near even par.
Hurley is an Ensign in the U.S. Navy, and plays with a yellow “N” on his golf shirt. An Annapolis grad, Hurley served his three years on a missile cruiser, then returned to the Naval Academy, where he taught economics. He is currently playing out an experiment, subject to approval by The Big Dog himself: to play pro golf for the Navy.
Hurley gets his $28,000 salary from the Navy, and that’s all. He donates winnings to a variety of military charities and funds. Yesterday’s prize money went to a Coast Guard fund, in honor of the tourney’s host, who was a Coastie for three years before beginning his own pro career.
