PREVIEW: Athens Regional Foundation Classic - Tuesday, April 18, 2006

BOGART, Ga. - After playing through some smooth and not-so-smooth sailing last weekend, Notah Begay III is back on the tee box this Thursday and feeling great.

"Even though I wasn't on the course over the weekend," Notah said of missing the cut at last week's Verizon Heritage in Hilton Head, S.C., "(my wife) Apryl and I managed to still have a great time. We spent Friday night having dinner with friends on a 63-foot sailboat in the Harbour Town Marina. It was the first time I've ever experienced something like that and needless to say it was very exciting. Just like golfers, sailors have great stories of their triumphs and failures. It was a fun night as we celebrated the weekend alongside all of the other magnificent boats that were docked beside us."

Earlier that day, Notah went from contention to just below the cut line with a double bogey on his 13th hole of the day. Just before he hit his tee shot into the water, NB3 had birdied three of his past five holes and two in a row. His missed the cut by only one stroke.

"Hilton Head turned out to be a very good week for me in spite of missing the cut," Notah said. "I played a great second round and if not for two balls in the water I could've played the weekend. All phases of my game are improving and I anticipate a strong performance in the coming months."

This Thursday, Notah will tee off at the Inaugural Athens Regional Foundation Classic, held at the Jennings Mill Country Club, located just outside of Athens in Bogart. The field includes 37 PGA Tour winners and major championship winners Wayne Grady and Larry Mize. Notah is a 4-time winner on the PGA Tour.

Also playing in this week's event is Casey Martin, one of Notah's college friends.

"I was glad to see that Casey was in the field as it's always great to see him and talk about the college days," Notah said. "Casey is a great person and we've had a strong friendship ever since we connected during our first year at Stanford. I will look forward to maybe getting in a practice round or even dinner at least a couple times this week."

Be sure to check back with Notah.com to follow NB3 in this week's event.

THIS WEEK's BREAKDOWN

Notah's History at the Athens Regional Foundation Classic
This is a new event.

Course
Jennings Mill Country Club, Bogart, Ga.

Notah's Group (Rounds 1 & 2)
Michael Clark II (Kingsport, Tenn.)
Garrett Willis (Charlotte, N.C.)

Notah's Tee Times (ET)
Th - 12:45 pm (10th tee)
Fr - 7:45 am (1st tee)