November 2, 2011
Bridgestone's Hurley Wins Hard-Fought Victory: From Persian Gulf to PGA TOUR
Former Navy Lieutenant Finishes 25th on 2011 Nationwide Tour Money List, Earns PGA TOUR Card
COVINGTON, GA — In Charleston, South Carolina, this weekend, Billy Hurley
III fulfilled a lifelong dream, using his T18 finish at the Nationwide Tour
Championship to secure the 25th spot on the 2011 Nationwide money list and a monumental
reward: his 2012 PGA TOUR card. As he had done all year, Hurley relied on
a deft putting touch and accurate tee shots to earn $13,040 to hold off the #26
Money List finisher by a mere $6,000.
Hurley's path to the biggest stage in golf was one seldom traveled these days. After
a highly decorated collegiate golf career (that included a spot on the 2004 U.S.
Walker Cup Team) and graduation from the U.S. Naval Academy in 2004, Hurley served
a mandatory 5-years in the United States Navy. Hurley's service included a stint
as Lieutenant aboard the destroyer USS Chung-Hoon in the Persian Gulf. Hurley's
duty while aboard the Chung-Hoon was safeguarding two of the world's largest oil
platforms during the Iraq War.
Throughout his amateur career, his Military service and his career in golf's minor
leagues, sponsor Bridgestone Golf has stood proudly with Hurley. Now with his journey
to the PGA TOUR complete, Hurley becomes part of one of the most well-established
teams on TOUR, joining Fred Couples,
Davis Love III,
Matt Kuchar,
Brandt Snedeker
and fellow 2011 Nationwide Tour graduate Matt Every.
"We are incredibly excited for Billy — his perseverance and determination have
paid off with PGA TOUR membership," said Dan Murphy, Vice President of Marketing
- Bridgestone Golf, Inc. "Billy will be a great addition to the PGA TOUR in 2012,
as his strong play, engaging personality and service to his country will all make
him easy to root for."
In his ascent to the PGA TOUR, Hurley relied on Bridgestone's
J40 Cavity Back irons,
J38 Wedges and
TOUR B330-S golf ball.
For more information on Hurley and the rest of the Bridgestone Golf Tour Team visit
www.bridgestonegolf.com.
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Editor's Note: High-Res images of all Tour Staff and all new Bridgestone equipment are available upon request.
Bridgestone Golf, Inc., based in Covington, GA, manufactures and markets premium
golf balls, clubs and accessories under the Bridgestone and Precept brand names.
Bridgestone is represented on a world stage by a number of internationally famed
golfers including
Fred Couples, Matt Kuchar,
Davis Love III, Brandt Snedeker,
Paula Creamer, Nick Price,
and Lee Trevino.
Bridgestone Golf, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Bridgestone Sports Co. Ltd.,
whose headquarters are in Tokyo.
Bridgestone Golf, Inc. is proud to be the #1 Ball Fitter in Golf as the industry
leader in live launch monitor fittings. Bridgestone provides three ways for golfers
to find the ball that best fits their game: live fittings through the
Bridgestone Ball Fitting Challenge, live online
chats with ball fitting
experts through its B-FIT service, and an easily accessible
Online Ball Selection Guide. For more
information on ball fitting, including a complete schedule of Ball Fitting Challenge
events, visit www.bridgestonegolf.com.
