Notah endorses PGA Tour event - Thursday, December 21, 2006

CANASTOTA, N.Y. -- The first American Indian-owned venue to host a PGA Tour event will have a well-known American Indian golfer as its ambassador.

Notah Begay III, half-Navajo, one-quarter San Felipe and one-quarter Isleta, will endorse the Turning Stone Resort Championship. The tournament will take place at the Oneida Indian Nation of New York's Turning Stone Resort and Casino in Verona. The Oneida Nation was considered for a PGA Tour event after hosting the B.C. Open in July, in which Begay participated.

''The B.C. Open was my initial introduction to the Oneida Indian Nation and the Turning Stone Resort,'' said Begay, a native of Albuquerque, N.M.

''As the most prestigious Native American golfer, I thought it was a great fit for an event that's going to be set on reservation property,'' Begay said about endorsing the Turning Stone Resort Championship. ''This is setting a great precedence. It's setting a standard for other nations to work for.''

The B.C. Open was originally scheduled to play its final year at the En-Joie Golf Club in Endicott, but was moved to Atunyote Golf Club at Turning Stone after flood damage forced the organizers to find a new location. With only a few weeks' notice, Turning Stone was able to prepare its Atunyote Golf Club for the event; impressing the players, their families and PGA Tour officials.

PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem announced the Turning Stone Resort Championship will be held on Sept. 17 - 23 at Atunyote. He also announced that the tournament would offer a $6 million purse, which Begay said should draw some big names in golf.

''I will be representing the tournament at all of my PGA Tour and European Tour events,'' Begay said. ''I'm excited to work with the Oneida Nation to make the event the best it can be. I will be working to attract the best players and I am hoping to help provide the best environment, so that the players and their families really enjoy their experience.''

Begay said the he enjoyed his experience at the B.C. Open and at the Turning Stone.

''My overall feelings [about the B.C. Open], are really the overall feelings of about every player at the tournament,'' he said. ''We were really excited that Turning Stone was able to put on such a great event in such a short about of time. I'm really looking forward to coming back.''

As ambassador of the Turning Stone Resort Championship, Begay will be wearing the Atunyote logo during all of his golf tournaments and events, according to Oneida Nation Councilman Chuck Fougnier. Fougnier said he is excited to have Begay represent the golf course and the tournament.

''Notah is a great golfer,'' Fougnier said. ''He won four PGA Tour events and $5 million in career earnings and he is going to be playing at the first PGA Tour event held on Native American land.''

Begay signed on for a six-year contract as ambassador of the championship. He will also be playing in the event in September.

''For me personally, it's a culmination of a lot of my hopes and dreams,'' Begay said. ''When I first got into golf there weren't any full-blooded Native American players on the tour. To see the Oneida Nation secure an event with one of the largest, prestigious brands, like the PGA, it is very inspiring. We are continuing to break new ground.''

Fougnier said he is exited about the championship and Begay's involvement because of the effect it will have on the youth of Indian country.

''Kids need a hero and Notah is someone they can look up to,'' he said. ''They need that hope; it is very important. Now is the time for positive role models.''

Fougnier hopes young American Indians can be inspired by Begay.

''I think this is a wonderful time for Indian golfers,'' Fougnier said. ''Indian children will look up to Notah as a role model and they will want to be golfers too.''

Begay will not be on the full PGA Tour this coming year. He is on his way to Europe to play in January.

''I've always wanted to play international,'' Begay said. ''This is a great time for me to go and try my luck in Europe.''

Begay will play about 25 tournaments in Europe and five to seven PGA Tour tournaments, including the Turning Stone Resort Championship.

''I just want to encourage everyone to come out to the Turning Stone tournament,'' he said. ''It's more than just a golf tournament; it's a step in the right direction for Native Americans.''