MELWOOD PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY OPEN PRESENTED
BY UNDER ARMOUR NAMES FIRST EXEMPTION

Former Naval Lieutenant Billy Hurley to Play in Tournament

COLLEGE PARK, MD - Melwood Prince George’s County Open presented by Under Armour Tournament Director Teo Sodeman today announced that Naval Academy graduate Billy Hurley has been granted a sponsor exemption to compete in this year’s Nationwide Tour event to be played once again at the University of Maryland Golf Course, June 2-5.

“Last year Billy was serving on a Navy destroyer in the Persian Gulf protecting the freedoms we all enjoy,” Sodeman said. “I am pleased to offer Billy an exemption into our 2011 event. It is unique that we can give this kind of an opportunity to such a talented player with strong ties to the local region who also served our country.”

In keeping with the armed forces theme, anyone with a military ID will be admitted into the event free of charge. Children ages 12 and under may also enter at no charge when accompanied by an adult.

“Military members constantly sacrifice to defend our freedoms domestically and abroad,” said Sodeman. “Since 2007, the Melwood Prince George’s County Open presented by Under Armour has been honored to welcome the military as our guests.”

Hurley is known for his commitment to the Navy in spite of his impressive golf skills. When Hurley chose to attend the Naval Academy, he knew he would have to fulfill his five-year commitment. Upon his graduation, he continued to work on his game while venturing into major hot zones near China, Korea and the Persian Gulf.

“I’m very happy to be given the chance to play in this amazing tournament,” said Hurley. “The passion to play and excel at golf is something that has driven me since I was a kid. It feels good to get back into the ‘swing’ of things and I’m really thankful for the opportunity to play in the Melwood Prince George’s County Open presented by Under Armour.”

In 2004, Hurley graduated from the Naval Academy having won seven college titles and was the sixth-ranked amateur golfer in the world. That year, he was also named the Byron Nelson National Player of the Year and Team Captain of the United States Palmer Cup squad. Since turning professional in 2006, Hurley has competed on the Nationwide Tour and the PGA TOUR. He has conditional status on the Nationwide Tour this year based on his finish in December’s PGA TOUR Qualifying Tournament. The 28-year old was born in Leesburg, VA and attended Loudon County High School there. He currently resides in Annapolis, Md.

TICKETS

Daily Tickets: $10.00
Provides entrance for one individual to the tournament grounds and University of Maryland Clubhouse on any single day, Thursday, June 2 through Sunday, June 5, 2011

Weekly Tickets: $25
Provides entrance for one individual to the tournament grounds and University of Maryland Clubhouse on any single day, Thursday, June 2 through Sunday, June 5, 2011

Special military/kids offer: Anyone with a valid military ID (active-duty, retired, or reserve) will be admitted into the event for free. Additionally, children ages 12 and under can also enter at no charge when accompanied by an adult.

MEDIA CONTACT

Brotman×Winter×Fried Communications
(703) 534-4600
Shaun May ext. 213
smay@bwfcom.com

ABOUT MELWOOD

Melwood is a 501(c) (3) organization that helps create opportunities for people with disabilities. Since 1963, Melwood has been enhancing the lives of thousands of people in the capital region through career training, job placement, individual support and recreation. Specifically, more than 870 Melwood employees with disabilities work through the AbilityOne Program, which pairs federal agencies with approved organizations to provide employment opportunities for people with disabilities. In addition, Melwood places and supports over 160 individuals with employers in the community. In 2010, Melwood employees with disabilities, otherwise eligible to receive government benefits, earned $13 million and paid $2.7 million in taxes. For more information, visit Melwood on Facebook or at www.melwood.org.

ABOUT THE NATIONWIDE TOUR

Founded (1990), owned and operated by the PGA TOUR, the Nationwide Tour identifies those players who are ready to compete and win on golf's biggest stage. As the official proving ground of the PGA TOUR, more than two out of three PGA TOUR members are Nationwide Tour alumni. Tour alumni have won 300 PGA TOUR titles, including 13 majors and four PLAYERS Championships. Twentyfive PGA TOUR cards will be at stake over the course of 26 events in 2011. Nationwide Insurance is the Tour’s umbrella sponsor through 2012. The PGA TOUR, through the efforts of its three tours and their tournaments, sponsors, players and volunteers, supports over 2,000 local charities and has surpassed $1.6 billion in charitable giving. To learn more about the PGA TOUR and Nationwide Tour and to follow the season-long quest for a PGA TOUR card, visit PGATOUR.COM.

ABOUT NATIONWIDE

Nationwide, based in Columbus, Ohio, is one of the largest and strongest diversified insurance and financial services organizations in the U.S. and is rated A+ by A.M. Best. The company provides a full range of personalized insurance and financial services, including auto insurance, motorcycle, boat, homeowners, life insurance, farm, commercial insurance, administrative services, annuities, mortgages, mutual funds, pensions, long-term savings plans and health and productivity services. For more information, visit www.nationwide.com

Nationwide, the Nationwide Framemark and On Your Side are federally registered service marks of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company.