News: TOUR Notes
January 31 2012
10:52 am
Begay to receive Bartlett Award
Notah Begay, whose tireless passion, commitment and advocacy for the health and well-being of Native American youth led to the founding of the Notah Begay III (NB3) Foundation in 2005, is the recipient of the Golf Writers Association of America’s Charlie Bartlett Award.
The 39-year-old Begay, who is half Navajo, one-quarter San Felipe and one-quarter Isleta and
the only full-blooded Native American to play on the PGA TOUR, founded the NB3 Foundation to
battle the epidemic of childhood and Type 2 diabetes and obesity among Native American
children.
A four-time winner on Tour, Begay has raised more than $3.23 million in three years through this annual NB3 Foundation Challenge Golf Event to support the foundation’s programs. The award, named for the first secretary of the GWAA, is given to a professional golfer for his/her unselfish contributions to the betterment of society. Begay will be honored at the GWAA Annual Awards Dinner April 4 in Augusta, Ga.
He follows Lorena Ochoa (2011), Ernie Els (2010), Tiger Woods (2007), Greg Norman (2008)
and Jack Nicklaus (2009) as recent recipients.
Begay still plays a handful of PGA TOUR events a year as a past champion. He will play in next week’s AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am.
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Congrats Notah. Well deserved. Keep up the good work for the people who have the least and deserve it the most.
your’s is a life well done. Keep up the good works.
He has done a lot for a good cause….if only his golf game was any good. Will he be playings as a Pro or an Am at Pebble Beach?
Scott, How many pga events have you won? 4 is not bad. NB3, keep up the good work and keep the faith.
I had the honor of providing the course that allowed him to post 20 under to win the 2000 Greater Hartford Open. He was quoted saying “I want to be remembered for the postive difference that I’ve made in the lives of young people regardless of race.” I would have to say in the game that counts the most he’s doing pretty well. Great work Notah, you’re an inpiration to all Americans.
I’ve had the pleasure of talking to Notah quite a bit over the last 13 years while hosting The Reno/Tahoe Open, which was Notah’s first PGA win in 1999. Of all the pros I’ve met over the years, Notah is the most courteous, respectful and gunuine golfer that I know. Rather than ask me questions regarding the golf course (or complain), he will always ask me about my wife and kids.
Congrats Notah, you deserve it!
While living in Woodside, California I often played golf t the Stanford golf course. One day we were on the first tee and these two kids came running up and very politely asked if they could play through as they had a class in a couple of hours. It was Notah and Tiger. They both promptly cut the dogleg over trees on the opening hole , a 5 par, and probably had no more than 7 irons to the green. I saw them often after that and had an opportunity to talk with them on sveral occasions. Both were immensly polite and thoughtful kids. Some years later, as a very old Marine, I was honored to spend some time with Notah’s grandfather, Thomas Begay, also an old Marine and highly decorated. He was a Navajo “code talker” on Iwo Jima. I think that Notah inherited some very good genes indeed.
I played numerous amateur tournaments with/against Notah and he was a true gentleman. It is great to see someone dedicated to giving back and standing proud. Keep up the great effort Notah.
Being from your hometown of Albuquerque, I’m here to say we’re very proud of you for your accomplishments and what you stand for. Keep up the good work Notah!
I met Mr. Begay while he was a on the Nationwide tour many moons ago. His demeanor and professionalism was as evident than as it is today. I’ve had the pleasure of visiting with him on numerious occations and can testify to his generorsity. His donations to local charities will always be greatly appreciated.
Thanks NB3.
Bob Lopez
I have known Notha since his playing days as a youth in Albuquerque and what stands out the most besides, his accomplishments on the golf course his love and respect for the fans. In today’s world this, unfortunately is not the norm.
Thanks Notha.
Joe
Nice job Notha
Congratulations Mr. Notah Begay III! Your devotion to your hereditary is exemplary!