Begay has drive to succeed - Thursday, January 12, 2006

Notah Begay III, a top-20 player on the PGA Tour in 2000, is on the comeback trail.

Begay, a former Stanford star whose career was derailed by injuries, reached a low point last season when he finished 236th on the money list. But he is finally healthy and starting over on the Nationwide Tour, golf's Triple-A affiliate.

"It may not be the most glamorous thing," said Begay, 33, "but the way through to your destination takes you through places you don't really want to go. You just have to do it."

Technically, Begay has status on the PGA Tour as a former champion, but just barely. Players are selected to play in PGA tournaments based on how they earned their tour cards. For example, players who have won majors, or who have led the money list in recent years, are picked first. Players who qualify only as past champions, like Begay, rank 30th among 34 categories on the priority list.

 
As some of you may know, I have a golf course design consulting firm called NB3 Consulting.  I started NB3 Consulting in 2002 because I wanted to work with Native American tribes on golf course development projects.  My goal, as always, is to bring the best team possible to the table and to keep the interests of the community first.  We just launched the NB3 Consulting website,
www.nb3consulting.com and I encourage you to spend some time on it if you have the chance. NB3