Awards
Golfer of the Year Award
Applications Closed: Friday, February 10th, 2023
The Billy Hurley III Foundation Golfer of the Year Award recognizes active duty service members who, in addition to loving the game of golf, exemplify the ideals and qualities which were important to Billy and his shipmates on sea duty. These include watch team backup, leading from the front, proactive problem solving, and investing in the training of peers and subordinates.

Koa Kai Award West
The Billy Hurley III Foundation “Koa Kai” Award recognizes Navy enlisted sailors (E-6 and junior) on the Pearl Harbor waterfront who have demonstrated exceptional professional competence. Selection for this award will be based on the ideals and qualities which were important to Billy and his shipmates on sea duty. These include watch team back up, leading from the front, proactive problem solving, and investment in the training of peers and subordinates. Koa Kai is Hawaiian for “sea warrior” and became important to Billy during his active duty time aboard USS CHUNG-HOON (DDG 93) whose motto is “Imua e, na koa kai” (Go forward, sea warriors).
Congratulations to the 2021 Koa Kai Award Recipients
IT1 Jonathan Culver, USS CHAFEE (DDG 90)
ET3 Ross Merrick, USS CHAFEE (DDG 90)
DC1 Robert Ryan, USS CHUNG-HOON (DDG 93)
HM1 Michael McGuire, USS CHUNG-HOON (DDG 93)
FC2 LaDell Headroe, USS WAYNE E. MEYER (DDG 108)
GSM2 Tanner Boyles, USS MICHAEL MURPHY (DDG 112)
Congratulations to the 2022 Koa Kai Award Recipients
IT1 Brittany Hansen, USS CHUNG-HOON (DDG-93)
GMSN David Ruiz, USS CHAFEE
CS1 Adriana Hazard, USS CHAFEE
E5 Christopher Fisher, USS MICHAEL MURPHY (DDG 112)
E6 Jeremy Richey, USS MICHAEL MURPHY (DDG 112)
GSM1 Michael Murrietta, USS DANIEL INOUYE (DDG 118)
OS1 Mark Bongato, USS DANIEL INOUYE (DDG 118)
FCA2 Josue Osorio, USS WILLIAM P LAWRENCE
EM1 Henrique Chavez, USS MICHAEL MURPHY (DDG 112)
PO1 James Manzano, USS CHUNG HOON DDG 93
Koa Kai Award - East
The Billy Hurley III Foundation Koa Kai Award – East recognizes Navy enlisted sailors (E-6 and junior) on the Mayport waterfront who have demonstrated exceptional professional competence. Selection for this award will be based on the ideals and qualities which were important to Billy and his shipmates on sea duty. These include watch team back up, leading from the front, proactive problem solving, and investment in the training of peers and subordinates. Sailors must be stationed on a surface ship home-ported in Mayport, Florida to be considered for this award.
Koa Kai is Hawaiian for “sea warrior” and became important to Billy during his active duty time aboard USS CHUNG-HOON (DDG-93) whose motto is “Imua e, na koa kai” (Go forward, sea warriors). Billy was also stationed in Mayport aboard USS GETTYSBURG (CG-64