Notah to play New Mexico Open - Friday, September 01, 2006

Notah Begay III Places Tour Events on Hold to Play in the 2006 New Mexico Open

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. -- Now 100-percent healthy after struggling with back injuries over the past couple of seasons, Notah Begay III is anxious to return to his home state and play in next week's New Mexico Open.

"It's been quite some time since I've had a chance to play in front of the home fans," Notah said on Thursday. "The New Mexico Open comes at a great time as I try to regain my form and prepare for the final stretch of the PGA Tour season."

Winner of the 1998 New Mexico Open, Notah played in the state's popular annual golf event from his high school days through his first full year on the Nike Tour, now titled the Nationwide Tour. Notah won the '98 event by hitting a 15-foot birdie putt on the final hole and earned the $6,500 first-place check at the Isleta Eagle Golf Course, which played host to the New Mexico Open from 1997-2000.

"It provided me with momentum to finish strong the rest of that year on the Nike Tour," Notah said of his first professional victory. "I went on to second place finishes in the Boise Open and the Oregon Classic. The consecutive runner-up finishes secured my place in the Top 10 on the Nike Tour money list and locked up my PGA Tour card for the '99 season."

One year later, Notah won two PGA tour victories and over $1 million in earnings.

"Some might say that it all started with my win at the New Mexico Open in '98," Notah said.

Notah will tee off this coming Thursday in the first round of the 2006 New Mexico Open, played at the Inn of the Mountain Gods Championship Golf Club in Mescalero, N.M. The former Albuquerque Academy star has fond memories of the Inn of the Mountain Gods course, where he won the Wendell Chino Golf Classic at 12-years old and the Ruidoso High School Golf Invitational as a senior.

"This event is special to me because I love the people and golf courses of New Mexico," Notah said. "Not to mention that this year's event is played on the Mescalero Apache's famed Inn of the Mountain Gods championship course, which has proven to be one of the finest destination resort courses in the region. All in all it should be a great week for the contestants and fans."