Turning Stone prepares for tourney - Thursday, August 16, 2007

VERNON, N.Y. -- Professional golfer Notah Begay III was at Atunyote Golf Club Wednesday in his role as ambassador for the Turning Stone Championship, which in one month will bring PGA pro golfers to the first stop on the fall 2007 PGA schedule. Begay, who turned pro is 1995, is the only Native American on the PGA tour and will be one of the notable golfers at the tournament. Oneida Indian Nation CEO Ray Halbritter said Wednesday that other golfers expected to compete Sept. 17-23 for the $6 million purse include Jerry Kelly, Rich Beam, Steve Allen and Kent Jones. They join Lee Janzen and John Daly, who've already said they are coming; Halbritter said he expects the list to grow weekly or even daily. But the question everybody's asking is "what about Tiger?" "I'm doing everything I can to attract people," said Begay, who was Tiger Woods' roommate at Stanford. He said the timing of the event is a major issue for the golfers since it takes place in the week between the Fed Ex Cup finale and the President's Cup. But still, the word's No. 1 golfer hasn't said no. "If Tiger decides to come, our facilities will be ready," said Halbritter who has been working with PGA Commissioner Tim Finchem along with recruiting pros at four tournaments this year. There have been a number of changes made to Atunyote in preparation for the event including narrowing the fairways, lengthen the course to 7,475 yards and letting the rough grow longer. The club is spending the next month adding parking, stands to accommodate an estimated 100,000 spectators, sponsorship and vendors to get ready for the first of six years the resort is contracted to host the event. Halbritter said the event will go down in the books at the PGA Tour event hosted by Native Americans and as the first green tournament. He also noted local charities have received more than $100,000 selling tickets. Halbritter said this is an especially good deal since the charities can keep all of the money they take in. The groups will be able to sell tickets until Sept. 4, when Turning Stone will take over all sales. He said the club is working with the Environmental Media Association to make the event easier on the environment. All four rounds of the tournament will be aired on the Golf Channel.