As the only military veteran on the PGA TOUR, Billy Hurley III knows what it’s like to serve his country. This U.S. Naval Academy alumnus spent five years as a surface warfare officer, including deployment in the Persian Gulf, before returning to civilian life as a full-time TOUR contender in 2009.

Although Hurley III now spends his time on golf courses instead of on destroyers, he has never lost touch with his military roots—or missed an opportunity to give back to those who serve.

Jonathan Wedgewood, one of the raffle winners, and a Trident Training Facility Strategic Weapon System Instructor at Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay in Georgia.

On July 31st, 2017, he’ll be giving back in a big way. With help from some very generous sponsors, he’ll transport 18 active duty military personnel from base to golf course, all expenses paid, to play in the inaugural Billy Hurley III and the Brave Golf Tournament.

The tournament, which will be played at the U.S. Naval Academy Golf Course in Annapolis, will benefit the Anchor Scholarship Foundation, Naval Academy Athletics and local area junior golfer scholarships. Hurley III will host a golf clinic prior to play.

“I owe much of my success, both personally and professionally, to my service in the Navy,” Hurley III said. “Honoring the military is always something that I’ve taken seriously, and I’m really excited to bring these deserving servicemen to Annapolis to play.”

Jonathan Wedgewood, a Trident Training Facility strategic weapon system instructor at Kings Bay Naval Submarine Base in Georgia, is one of the lucky active duty participants. His name, along with the other seventeen winners, was selected by random drawing.

“I can’t believe I won, and I’m getting the opportunity to represent my base with a fellow veteran,” Wedgewood said.

Other tournament participants include:

Matthew Hart of NAS Corpus Christi
Ryan Neuendorff, NAS Corpus Christi
Javier Garcia, USMC, NAS Pensacola
Ben Hodsdown, NAS Jacksonville
Ben Hayes, NAS Jacksonville
Ion Revak, NAVSTA Mayport
Mike Nye, NAVSTA Mayport
Kyle Plemons, SUBASE Kings Bay
Aaron Plumb, NAS Oceana
Will Hoekwater, NAS Oceana
Christopher Van Sickle, NSA Midsouth
Thomas Korsmo, NSA Midsouth
Matt Young, NAVSTA Norfolk
Blair White III, NAS Patuxent River
Jason Fancher, SUBASE, New London
Ryan Carton,  Pentagon, DC Metro area

Each of these outstanding individuals deserves our gratitude, a round of applause, and golf karma willing, a few extra birdies during their rounds. Just as important, they deserve a day, and a lifetime, that reminds them of how much their service means to us all.

Play well, gentlemen. And thanks, so much, from the bottom of all of our hearts.