NB3 Foundation

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HUNTER MAHAN AND CRISTIE KERR TEAM UP TO CAPTURE
THIRD ANNUAL NOTAH BEGAY III FOUNDATION CHALLENGE

Event raises awareness and funds for the improved life and wellness of Native American youth

Verona, N.Y.  (August 31, 2010) – The pairing of Hunter Mahan and Cristie Kerr outshot a world-class field of PGA and LPGA TOUR stars to win the third annual Notah Begay III (NB3) Foundation Challenge. The winning twosome finished the mixed team, best ball tournament at 10 under par, two shots better than the runner-up pairing of Rickie Fowler and Annika Sorenstam, at the challenging Atunyote Golf Club course at Turning Stone Resort & Casino in Verona, N.Y. The tournament raised $1.25 million for the Notah Begay III Foundation.

“The NB3 Foundation Challenge is about building change among Native American communities and their way of life,” said the event’s host, Notah Begay III. “Our event gives us a tremendous opportunity to amplify the issues of obesity and diabetes among Native American youth, and drive forward with our mission of creating a national youth movement to empower the good health and leadership development among these kids.”

With a who’s who of professional golfers from the men’s and women’s game and a compelling new format, this year’s event buzzed with excitement. All of the players involved gave the crowd of 4,000
a day full of unforgettable golf shots and memorable moments during the 18-hole tourney. Mahan and Kerr grabbed the lead from Fowler and Sorenstam with a birdie on the 16th hole. The pair iced the victory when Mahan drained a birdie putt on the 18th hole, earning each a share of the $100,000 winners’ purse.

“Today’s event was all about helping Notah continue his mission and his foundation’s mission of tackling the challenge of obesity and diabetes among Native American youth,” said Hunter Mahan.

“He (Notah) is so committed to the cause, and it was an honor to play with him and all of these great golfers and support the work of the NB3 Foundation,” Cristie Kerr said after accepting this year’s championship trophy.

Mahan and Kerr walked away with the tournament hardware, but the true winners of the NB3 Foundation Challenge are the Native American youth and communities that benefit from the Foundation’s efforts to push forward on obesity and diabetes prevention and leadership development.  

The funds raised during the 2010 NB3 Foundation Challenge will be used to continue the development and promotion of sustainable and innovative sports and wellness programs to fight the disproportionate incidence of obesity and diabetes among Native American youth. To date, the Foundation has implemented year-round soccer and golf programs engaging close to 1000 Native American youth in New Mexico alone. The Foundation has also played an instrumental role in the creation and development of a state-of-the-art soccer field and community park for the San Felipe Pueblo – the first-ever recreational facility in its history. The park, which opened on August 23, 2010, provides an outlet for the entire community to be more physically active.

The NB3 Foundation Challenge is made possible by the strong and ever-growing partnerships with the San Manuel Band of Serrano Mission Indians and the Oneida Indian Nation. These relationships demonstrate what can be accomplished when tribes come together and donate time and resources to issues important to Native American communities.

“In many respects, we have forgotten the ways of our ancestors who relied on their physical fitness to gather and hunt so their families and communities could survive,” said Chairman James Ramos of the San Manuel Band of Serrano Mission Indians. “The proceeds of this tournament can help Native communities to become reacquainted with the traditions of our ancestors for overall good health and well-being by instilling healthy habits and lifestyles among our youth.”

“The NB3 Foundation Challenge provided guests with a unique opportunity to watch 12 of the world’s best players from the PGA and LPGA Tours,” said Oneida Indian Nation Representative and CEO Ray Halbritter. “As with our recent Turning Stone Resort Championship, all proceeds went to charity. It is gratifying to be able to host an event that showcases our region and provides an economic boost to businesses throughout our community, while raising much-needed funds for charitable initiatives.”

For more information on the NB3 Challenge, visit: www.nb3challenge.com

For more information on the NB3 Foundation, visit: www.nb3foundation.com

Key Background

About Notah Begay III Foundation

In 2005, Notah Begay III established the Notah Begay III (NB3) Foundation, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Notah established the Foundation to address the profound health and wellness issues impacting Native American youth and to empower those youth and help them realize their potential as tomorrow’s leaders. The mission of the Foundation is to reduce the incidences of obesity and diabetes and advance the lives of Native American youth through sports and wellness programming. To this end, the mission the Foundation supports is the development of sustainable, evidence-based and innovative soccer and golf programs designed by Native Americans for Native American youth that promote physical fitness, wellness and leadership development.

For more information on Notah Begay III and the Foundation, visit: www.nb3foundation.com.

About San Manuel Band of Serrano Mission Indians
The San Manuel Band of Serrano Mission Indians is a federally recognized American Indian tribe located near the city of Highland, Calif. The Serrano Indians are the indigenous people of the San Bernardino highlands, passes, valleys and mountains who share a common language and culture. The San Manuel reservation was established in 1891 and recognized as sovereign nation with the right of self-government. Since time immemorial, the San Manuel tribal community has endured change and hardship. Amidst these challenges the tribe continued to maintain its unique form of governance. Like other governments it seeks to provide a better quality of life for its citizens by building infrastructure, maintaining civil services and promoting social, economic and cultural development. Today San Manuel tribal government oversees many governmental units including the departments of fire, public safety, education and environment. Visit www.sanmanuel-nsn.gov for more information on the tribe.

 About the Oneida Indian Nation

The Oneida Indian Nation is a federally recognized Indian nation in Central New York. A founding member of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy (also known as the Six Nations or Iroquois Confederacy), the Oneida Indian Nation sided with the Americans in the Revolutionary War and was thanked by Congress and President George Washington for its loyalty and assistance. Today, the Oneida Nation consists of about 1,000 enrolled Members, most of them living in Central New York. The Nation’s enterprises, which employ nearly 5,000 people, include Turning Stone Resort and Casino, the SavOn chain of gas stations and convenience stores, a 3,000 acre beef and crop farm, three marinas, and Four Directions Media, which includes a national weekly newspaper and a 3D animation/HD cinematography studio. Proceeds from these enterprises are used to rebuild the Nation’s economic base and provide essential services, including housing, health care, and education incentives and programs, to its Members. Visit www.OneidaIndianNation.com for more information on the Nation.

 

About Turning Stone Resort & Casino in Verona, New York
A premier four-season, destination resort in Upstate New York, the Oneida Indian Nation's Turning Stone Resort and Casino is conveniently located about 30 miles east of Syracuse at NYS Thruway exit 33.  Turning Stone was named “Most Excellent Golf Resort” by Condé Nast Johansens in 2010 and Casino of the Year by the Academy of Country Music in 2009. The resort offers world class gaming, golf, entertainment, accommodations and spa facilities and has earned AAA four-diamond ratings for The Lodge, The Tower Hotel and Wildflowers restaurant. The Atunyote Golf Club is the annual host of The Turning Stone Resort Championship, a PGA Tour event. Turning Stone's entertainment and meeting venues include the 5,000-seat Event Center, the 800-seat Showroom and the Conference Center.


For more information and reservations, call (315) 361-7711 or 1-(800) 771-7711, and visit turningstone.com.

 

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