Notah salutes Morongo grads - Friday, June 15, 2007

BANNING, Calif. -- Notah Begay III might have a week off from his life on the PGA Tour but he is not taking a break from one of his true passions - talking with Native American youth about education and their futures.

Notah has the distinct honor of delivering the commencement speech Friday night for the graduating seniors of the Morongo Band of Mission Indians in Banning, Calif.

A 1995 graduate of Stanford University with a degree in Economics, the 4-time PGA Tour winner still says that his college degree is the most important accomplishment of his career.

"Although I might be known around the world as a golfer, I cherish opportunities like these to talk to our Native American youth," Notah said. "I know what they are going through because I went through the same things, the same pressures, and the same doubts about life after high school.

"It's fun to win golf tournaments, but having the opportunity to talk to these kids really gets me excited. I can't wait to get to the Morongo reservation and be a part of the ceremony."

Notah returns to golfing action next week at the Travelers Championship in Connecticut, an event he won in 2000 when it was called the Greater Hartford Open.