When Billy Hurley III '04 first picked up a golf club as a toddler, no one imagined the journey ahead of him, not even Hurley himself. Golf was merely one sport among many in a childhood filled with soccer practices, baseball games, and basketball courts. It wasn't until the summer after his freshman year of high school that Hurley began to devote real time and focus to the game that would ultimately define his career.

That summer proved transformative. Hurley began entering more tournaments, developing quickly, and by his junior year he had reached a recruitable level for DI schools. But Hurley, already drawn to the values and mission of the Naval Academy, had his sights fixed on Annapolis alone. "I became pretty much solely focused on the Naval Academy after my freshman year of high school," Hurley recalled. His choice was cemented on a tour of the Academy led by family friend and former USNA Superintendent, Admiral Charles Minter. The visit included a round on the Naval Academy Golf Course, an experience that proved to seal the deal for Hurley.

At Navy, Hurley played in every tournament from plebe year to graduation, an uncommon feat. His teammates welcomed their lone traveling plebe with humor, informing restaurant staff at team dinners that it was his birthday. "It must have been my birthday 20 times that plebe year," he laughed. "I stood on chairs at Olive Gardens…had a lot of birthdays that year."

On the course, Hurley excelled. He eventually earned the Patriot League Scholar-Athlete of the Year Award and the prestigious Byron Nelson Award, recognizing a college golfer for exemplary achievement in academics, character, and community involvement.

One of the most important figures in his development was Navy Head Coach Pat Owen. "Not many people have had a bigger influence on my life," Hurley reflected. Owen was coach, mentor, sounding board, and later, when Hurley returned to the Academy to teach and assist the team, a close friend.

Balancing a Calling to Serve with a Dream to Compete

By his senior year, Hurley's name appeared alongside athletes expected to reach the PGA Tour. But commissioning from the Naval Academy meant navigating strict Department of Defense policies not designed with professional sports careers in mind. While a request to pursue professional golf was submitted, it was ultimately denied. It was a decision Hurley respected. "I didn't come to Navy to be a pro athlete," he said. "I understood it would be a long shot."

Still, golf remained a thread through his early naval career. While serving temporarily at the Academy during the summer of 2004, he competed in the Palmer Cup, representing the U.S. in the international collegiate competition. In 2005, Hurley earned a coveted spot on the U.S. Walker Cup team, the amateur golf equivalent of the Ryder Cup. The Chief of Naval Operations reassigned him from his ship, the USS Gettysburg (CG 64) out of Mayport (Fla.), back to Annapolis so he could teach Economics and prepare for the golf event. The United States went on to win the Walker Cup for the first time in eight years.

After fulfilling teaching duties and revisiting the possibility of turning professional, Hurley returned to sea duty in Hawaii, on the USS Chung-Hoon (DDG 63) to complete his five-year service commitment. He had an extended deployment in the Persian Gulf, where he held the position of guided missile destroyer's force protection assistant.

A Return to Golf and a Historic Rise

Hurley left active duty in 2009 and, for the first time, dedicated himself fully to golf. He moved back to Annapolis, using the Naval Academy Golf Course as his home base. Competing against peers who had been professionals since their teens, he needed time to adjust, but his perseverance paid off. In 2012, Hurley earned his PGA Tour card and began his rookie season.

Four years later, he authored the pinnacle moment of his professional career. Hurley captured the 2016 Quicken Loans National at Congressional Country Club, a victory both emotional and historic. As his wife and children ran onto the green to celebrate, Hurley lived a full-circle moment. With the win, he also became the only service academy graduate ever to win a PGA Tour event.

"Winning an event like that, with your family there to celebrate, that's what you dream of as a golfer," he said simply.

Service Beyond the Course: The BH3 Foundation

In 2017, Hurley founded the Billy Hurley (BH3) Foundation, committed to supporting military families, the unseen teammates of every service member. "The sacrifice and selflessness of our nation's military personnel are mirrored in their spouses, children, and loved ones," Hurley said. "It's my privilege to support those unsung heroes."

Under his leadership, the Foundation created the Koa Kai "sea warrior" Awards, which recognize outstanding junior enlisted sailors in Pearl Harbor, Mayport, and Annapolis. Recipients receive an all-expenses-paid family vacation.

The Foundation's flagship event, the annual BH3 Golf Tournament at the Navy Golf Course, raises funds and recognizes one active-duty service member as the BH3 Golfer of the Year. "We bring in 18 candidates and their spouses from all branches," Hurley noted. "It's another perk we can provide in support of our service members and their families."

Stewardship of Navy Golf

Hurley has stayed in touch with Navy Athletics in support of the golf teams. Whether it was as an officer representative while on the Yard, coming back to prepare for the PGA Tour at the Navy Golf Course, or helping host Navy golf alumni events, Hurley wants to see his former team succeed and is excited about its trajectory. He also contributed to the renovation of the Naval Academy Golf Course. Though architect Andrew Green led the redesign, Hurley provided detailed player-focused suggestions. "I added a couple of finishing touches, more sandpaper around the edges than big chisel, but it was a lot of fun to see the project come to fruition," he said.

As a new trustee of USNA's Athletic and Scholarships Program (A&SP), Hurley encourages and supports the Physical Mission of the Naval Academy. The A&SP provides leadership, need-based funding, guidance, and mentoring to all Naval Academy Foundation Preparatory students; as well as needed private funding to all the Naval Academy varsity, club, and intramural sports teams.

A New Mission: Investing in Academy-Born Leadership

Today, Hurley has transitioned once again, this time from professional golf to the world of venture capitalism. He co-founded Waypoint Ventures, an early-stage investment firm focused on startups founded and led by service academy graduates.

"It's missional investing," Hurley explained. "We're betting on leadership. No matter the academy or the generation, we all speak the same language."

From standout Navy Letterwinner to decorated naval officer, from Walker Cup competitor to PGA Tour champion, and now as a philanthropist and investor, Billy Hurley '04 exemplifies the values of duty, integrity, and leadership. His story continues to inspire not only Naval Academy golfers, but service members, veterans, and families across the nation.