by by ndnsports staff
(NOTE: Notah Begay III, is the only full-blooded Native American on the PGA TOUR, he was born and raised in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Notah secured a scholarship to Stanford University where he earned a degree in Economics in addition to earning All-American Honors three times and leading the golf team to a National Championship in 1994. In addition to winning 4 PGA TOUR tournaments, Notah became only the third player in the history of professional golf to shoot 59 in a professional event and partnered with good friend Tiger Woods in the 2000 President’s Cup. When Notah is not on the golf course, he dedicates his time to positively impacting the Native American community. In 2005, Notah launched The Notah Begay III Foundation. The Foundation works to battle obesity and diabetes in the Native American youth. In addition, Notah owns a golf course development firm and works exclusively with Native communities to develop world-class golf properties. Notah was named one of Golf Magazine’s Innovators of the Year in 2009 and has also been named one of the Top 100 Sports Educators in the world by the Institute for International Sport and was recently awarded the Charlie Bartlett Award from the Golf Writers of America.)
Your foundation and consulting firms are growing and doing well in Indian Country, what are some new things NB3 is working on that a lot of people may not know about?
NB3 Consulting just broke ground on our third golf course project for the Pascua Yaqui Tribe in Tucson, AZ. It will be a 18 hole championship course with a Jack Nicklaus golf academy. Project to be completed Spring of 2013. I’ve also started a food company named KivaSun Foods. Our goal is to source as much of our raw materials from Native reservations across the US. We will introduce our first line of products into Costco and Walmart this summer. Very exciting!
You recently covered the masters with the Golf Channel, as you did last year, is there a possible post career in the media of some sorts?
I enjoy my work with the golf channel and plan to be a part of their US Open and Ryder Cup coverage later this year. Might end up being something I do full time in the near future.
Are you working towards competing again on a regular basis? If so, what are you doing to get ready for your next tournament?
I look forward to playing full time on the PGA tour again soon. In the meantime, I stay active by playing as many events as possible and by maintaing a consistent fitness regimen.
You have worked the Nike N7 before, what do you think about Kevin Durant becoming a supporter of the program?
When Kevin Durant wore the Nike N7 shoes last night (April 11th) against the clippers it was an amazing step for the N7 brand. It’s a giant step toward making a Native themed product “mainstream”. It would be great to see the general public support a very positive movement in Indian country.
You recently received the Charlie Bartlett award by the golf writers of America, what does that mean to you?
The Bartlett award meant that golf and sports writers across the country recognize the merit of our work at the NB3 Foundation. This gives us a broader platform from which we can continue to advocate on behalf of our Native youth.
This will be the 5th year of the NB3 Challenge, has the field been determined and will the biggest name in golf be there as well?
The field hasn’t been determined yet but the “biggest name in golf” will most likely play. (note: for those not reading between the lines we are talking about Tiger Woods)
A lot gets told about your career and accomplishments with your endeavors, but how has becoming a father changed your outlook in career and life in general? Do you hope to have your children learn your culture and traditional ways?
Becoming a father was the best thing that has happened to me because if forced to see the world through my children’s eyes. As a professional athlete there’s a tendency to become selfish and self asorbed but that attitude doesn’t work when it comes to parenting. I needed to realize that I have an opportunity to shape their lives and viewpoints every single day. My goal is to spend as much time with my children as possible so they know they can count on me. It’s also very important that they understand their cultural traditions and history.
What does the future hold for the NB3?
Challenge myself everyday to be a better person, stay active and healthy!
Last Question, I seem to be pushing my iron shots to the right, what’s something I can do or work on to fix that?
(laughter) Aim further left.
