Former Navy officer set to begin career on PGA Tour
January 11th, 2012 | Golf Navy | Posted by Phil Creed
Billy Hurley III probably has the best back story of anyone on the PGA Tour. A couple years ago, he was a Navy lieutenant serving aboard a destroyer. He rarely got the chance to swing a club, much less play a round. Despite a promising college golf career at the Naval Academy, it seemed unlikely Hurley would be able to shake off the rust following his five-year commitment and become a card-carrying pro.
But after Hurley exited the service, he did the improbable: He worked hard to get his game in shape and excelled on the Nationwide Tour, finishing last season ranked 25th — the last spot eligible to earn an automatic-qualifying spot on the PGA Tour. This week Hurley plays in the Sony Open in Hawaii, the first PGA Tour event of 2012.
While in Hawaii, Hurley had the chance to visit one of his old ships, the destroyer Chung-Hoon. New York Times reporter Karen Crouse was there, and her story captures a scene of Hurley being enthusiastically embraced by sailors who appreciate and respect his journey. Likewise, Hurley connects with them on a level few pro athletes can.
“Although most of the faces were new to Hurley, the jokes were the same, and so were the frustrations, voiced softly and always with a thin smile, about political maneuverings and bureaucratic red tape.
‘Oh, you don’t have a Boats?’ Hurley said, referring to a boatswain’s mate. “I went without one for a while, too.’”
Another good read on Hurley is on PGATour.com, which made the video above. Best quote: “In the Navy,” Hurley said, “you can have a whole conversation using acronyms.”
Tiger’s modest backyard putting green
March 9th, 2011 | Golf | Posted by Mike Hoffman
Look, it’s March and, well, two of the service academies’ seasons have already ended while the third, the Air Force Academy, needs a minor miracle to win the Mountain West Conference tournament to make “The Big Dance.” Not too maddening of a March for this blog. So we’re stretching for material.
What I serve in its place is an atypical golf update. It’s March 9. Time to drag those golf clubs out of the basement and dust off that swing. How would you like a putting green along with three tee boxes in your backyard to do just that? If your name is Tiger Woods you have just that. Check out the picture of his brand new backyard at his Jupiter, Fla. home.
Here’s hoping he can maneuver a golf cart better than an SUV around his estate.
Driving ranges litter Camp Victory
February 4th, 2011 | Golf Iraq | Posted by Chris Maddaloni
One of the many driving ranges that ring the lake in Camp Victory next to Al-Faw palace. (Photo by Chris Maddaloni)
BAGHDAD — Now that combat operations have ended, it seems soldiers have time to work on their swing. It seems there’s a driving range at each one of Saddam Hussein’s old palaces at Camp Victory in Iraq.
“If you dredged the lake you’d probably find close to 10,000 golf balls,” said Maj. Kristian Sorensen, an Army spokesman at Camp Victory.
Saddam’s former palaces, now packed with American soldiers and contractors, sit around a man made lake. Supposedly, Saddam shut off Baghdad’s water for three days in order to fill the lakes. Now it’s also filled with golf balls and giant carp fed by American GIs.
Fore!
Tiger and the troops: What does the future hold?
December 19th, 2009 | Golf | Posted by Phil Creed
Swiss watch maker Tag Heuer says it will not use Tiger Woods' image in advertising campaigns in the United States for the foreseeable future. (AP Photo/Koji Sasahara)
In the wake of his bizarre car accident on Nov. 27 and the subsequent stream of tabloid revelations and accusations about Tiger Woods’ personal life, multiple big-name sponsors have dropped the golfer or dialed back their use of him in advertising. With another sponsor distancing themselves from Tiger Woods yesterday, it raises questions about the golfer’s own tournament, the AT&T National, and its relationship with the military.
Tiger is still featured on the front page of the event’s Web site, and there is still a link for military members to inquire about tickets (check back in April, it says). AT&T is still a sponsor of Woods, although a statement from the company said that it is evaluating its advertising relationship with Woods.
Since Woods started the tournament in 2007, he has used it to honor and celebrate the troops, distributing thousands of free tickets to service members. The son of a former Green Beret and Vietnam veteran, Woods has always professed great respect for the military and his dedication to those who serve has been commendable. At last year’s event, two wounded soldiers took the ceremonial first shot with Woods after the 101st Airborne Parachute Demonstration Team jumped in to deliver the balls. A select handful of troops were able to serve as caddies on one hole, while other troops were able to serve as honorary starters.
Well, a lot has changed since that tournament. The car accident, the allegations of serial adultery and apparently a pending divorce have flipped Woods’ squeaky clean image on its head. The general public is now viewing him in a less favorable light. Do service members feel the same way? Even if AT&T remains on board as a sponsor in 2010 and Tiger ends his ‘indefinite break’ from golf by tourney time in June, one has to wonder whether the military will continue to embrace Woods.