Former United States Naval Academy All-American, Billy Hurley III of Annapolis, Md., has accepted a sponsor's exemption to compete in the 2006 Booz Allen Classic.

The Leesburg, Va., native represents one of the Tournament's four exemptions. He joins a growing list of players, featuring defending champion Sergio Garcia, local hero Fred Funk, Lee Westwood and Charles Howell III, who will vie for this year's Booz Allen Classic crown at the Tournament Players Club (TPC) at Avenel in Potomac, Md., June 19-25.

Hurley finished tied for 43rd at the Bay Hill Invitational this March, ahead of notables including Retief Goosen, Ernie Els and Stuart Appleby, and just three strokes behind Tiger Woods. He will donate a percentage of TOUR winnings to the Navy Marine Corps Relief Society.

"It's a great honor and privilege to compete in the Booz Allen Classic in front of my family, friends and local fans," said Hurley, a 2004 Naval Academy graduate. "This is a dream come true. I hope to take my game to the next level in the company of the world's best golfers."

A four-time All-Patriot League selection and 2004 PING Honorable Mention All-American, Hurley was a member of the 2005 Walker Cup team that defeated Europe for the first time since 1987. The 2004 Byron Nelson Award winner also served as captain of the 2004 Palmer Cup team and became the first player to represent a service academy in the annual Ryder Cup-style competition.

From Press Release

Issue 1.3: May 11, 2006