June 2, 2004

In the span of a week, Navy senior golfer Billy Hurley (Leesburg, Va.) earned his diploma and was commissioned an Ensign in the United States Navy, was awarded the Academy's Thompson Trophy Cup, presented to that midshipman, male or female, who has done the most during the year to promote athletics at the Naval Academy, and most recently learned he was the recipient of the 2004 Byron Nelson Award presented by Cleveland Golf.

Hurley was selected from a pool of nominees, earning the prestigious award based on character, integrity, academic and athletic achievement. Particular consideration was given to good citizenship, as portrayed by Mr. Byron Nelson over the course of his life and golf career.

A four-time All-Patriot League selection, Hurley is one of the best golfers in the program's history. Of the 51 collegiate meets in which he participated during his four-year career, he produced seven wins, finished in the top-five 25 times and the top-10 31 times.

He was one of the first-two players to be named to the 2004 Palmer Cup presented by Monster Team and is the first player to represent a service academy in the annual Ryder Cup-style competition. He was also on the watch list for the 2004 The Ben Hogan Award and was named the 2004 Patriot League Player of the Year after capturing the Patriot League Tournament title.

Hurley, who garnered PING Mid-Atlantic Region recognition for the second-consecutive season, completed his collegiate career in mid-May when he placed 14th at the 2004 NCAA East Region Championship in New Haven, Conn.