Born in Gorman on March 24, 1922 Hardy Loudermilk was an agent-dispatcher for the Greyhound Bus Line before his wife encouraged him to turn to golf professional, but he was actually introduced to golf during WWII. Loudermilk was a master sergeant in the Marine Air Force and in the same squadron as Jack Burke. Loudermilk said with a wink, “All Burke did was run the driving range and play golf with the generals.”

Hardy Loudermilk was 30 years old when he turned pro and got a job at Coleman (Texas) Country Club. His next club job was in Jal, N.M., where he tutored 15-year-old Kathy Whitworth, who already had pro ambitions. Eight years later, Loudermilk found a home at Oak Hills Country Club in San Antonio. It was there that he became nationally recognized as a club professional.

From the outset, he was involved in PGA activities, first serving in all offices including the president of the Southwest Section (Arizona and New Mexico.) Hardy was secretary-treasurer of the Texas Section and in line for presidency when the state was split in 1967. In 1968, he was the first president of the Southern Texas PGA and in the same year, he was PGA of America Professional of the Year. He also served as National Chairman of the annual PGA meeting three times.