Sept. 15, 2005
2005-06 Schedule
ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- The Naval Academy was recently acknowledged by Golf Digest as one of the premiere higher learning institutions that not only emphasizes the importance of education, but holds in high regard the opportunity to play golf at a competitive level. Of the 25 schools ranked, Navy was rated No. 12, ahead of Patriot League foes Army (No. 15), Lehigh (No. 17), Colgate (No. 23) and Bucknell (No. 25).
The Academics First list was generated by a formula that takes into consideration four criteria -- Academics (70%), golf success (20%), climate (5%) and the coaching staff and its facilities (5%). According to Golf Digest, the academics first category is for "junior players who are excellent students first, golfers second. These schools provide the absolute best education and an opportunity to play competitive golf." To highlight the emphasis on academics, only considered schools that do not offer golf scholarships were considered for the list.
"We are proud to be included on Golf Digest's list as we feel the Naval Academy offers a prospective college golfer a rare opportunity," said 15th-year Navy coach Pat Owen. "He has the chance to obtain an incredible education, develop unparalleled leadership skills and compete at the highest level of Division I golf. This combination enables our graduates to succeed at the highest levels, regardless of what career path they ultimately choose."
There's no better example of meshing academics with athletics than 2005 Walker Cup team member Billy Hurley, an Ensign in the United States Navy.
"The education at the Naval Academy is top notch, no where are the professors more committed to the student's learning," said Hurley, the 2004 Patriot League Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year. "Those at the Academy who are disciplined enough to manage their time will excel, those who haven't yet mastered time management learn quickly. Overall, the resources at the Academy set a midshipmen up wonderfully to excel academically and provide each graduate with an outstanding degree that is well respected for academia alone."
A 2004 graduate of the Naval Academy, Hurley garnered Academic All-America recognition as a senior and was the recipient of an NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship.
In addition to excelling in the classroom, Hurley became a household name in college golf as the most decorated player in Navy golf history. A four-time All-Patriot League selection and 2004 PING Honorable Mention All-American, he was the recipient of the 2004 Byron Nelson Award. He was named the 2004 Patriot League Player of the Year after capturing the Patriot League Tournament title. Additionally, Hurley garnered PING Mid-Atlantic Region recognition his sophomore through senior seasons and named the 2004 PING Mid-Atlantic Region Player of the Year. He also was the first Service Academy golfer to be named to the Palmer Cup where his teammates selected him as the team captain.
Over the summer, Hurley was selected to represent the United States as a member of the 10-player Walker Cup team. The Walker Cup pits the best amateur golfers from the United States against their counterparts from Great Britain and Ireland. The United States re-captured the Walker Cup for the first time since the 1997 match by narrowly defeating Great Britain and Ireland, 12.5-11.5, at Chicago Golf Club in Wheaton, Ill.
Owen, a five-time Patriot League Coach of the Year, has led Navy to Patriot League titles in four of the last seven years, including back-to-back-to-back wins in 1998 (fall), 2000 and 2001. Five Midshipmen have claimed the Patriot League individual title, while three have been named the championship MVP.
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