Notah Begay III facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Notah Begay III |
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Begay in 2011
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| Personal information | |
| Full name | Notah Ryan Begay III |
| Born | September 14, 1972 Albuquerque, New Mexico |
| Height | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) |
| Weight | 195 lb (88 kg; 13.9 st) |
| Nationality |  United States |
| Career | |
| College | Stanford University |
| Turned professional | 1995 |
| Current tour(s) | PGA Tour Champions |
| Former tour(s) | PGA Tour Nationwide Tour European Tour |
| Professional wins | 5 |
| Number of wins by tour | |
| PGA Tour | 4 |
| Other | 1 |
| Best results in Major Championships |
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| The Masters Tournament | T37: 2000 |
| U.S. Open | 22nd: 2000 |
| The Open Championship | T20: 2000 |
| PGA Championship | 8th: 2000 |
Notah Ryan Begay III, born on September 14, 1972, is an American professional golfer. He is one of the few Native American golfers who have played on the PGA Tour. Since 2013, Begay has also worked as a sports analyst for the Golf Channel and NBC Sports.
Contents
Early Life and College Golf
Begay grew up in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He is a Native American from the Navajo, San Felipe, and Isleta tribes. His first name, Notah, means "almost there" in the Navajo language. His grandfather, also named Notah Begay, was a code talker during World War II. In 1990, Begay finished high school at Albuquerque Academy.
Playing Golf at Stanford University
Begay went to Stanford University for college. There, he was a top player, earning "All-American" honors three times. He was also teammates with famous golfer Tiger Woods. In 1994, Begay was part of Stanford's team that won the NCAA Division I Men's Golf Championships. He earned a degree in Economics from Stanford in 1995.
Professional Golf Career
Notah Begay III became a professional golfer in 1995.
Starting on the Nike Tour
In 1998, while playing on the Nike Tour (now called the Korn Ferry Tour), Begay achieved a rare feat. He shot a score of 59 in one round at the Dominion Open. This is one of the lowest scores ever recorded in a professional golf tournament. That year, he finished 10th on the Nike Tour's money list, which helped him qualify for the PGA Tour in 1999.
Success on the PGA Tour
Begay quickly found success on the PGA Tour. He won two tournaments in his first year and two more in his second year. Between September 1999 and July 2000, he won four PGA Tour events. His third and fourth wins even happened in back-to-back weeks!
After this successful period, Begay faced challenges with back injuries. These injuries made it difficult for him to play consistently. He tried to return to the PGA Tour in 2005 and played on the Nationwide Tour in 2006. In December 2008, he earned his PGA Tour card again for the 2009 season.
Begay was known for a unique putting style. He used a special putter that had faces on both sides. This allowed him to putt right-handed for balls that curved from right to left, and left-handed for balls that curved from left to right. He was the first top golfer to use this technique.
Life Outside of Golf
In 2014, Begay had a heart attack while practicing golf. He received quick medical care and recovered.
Begay is also the uncle of Madison Hammond, who made history in 2020. She became the first Native American soccer player in the National Women's Soccer League. Hammond has said that Begay was one of her inspirations.
Businesses and Organizations
Notah Begay III has started several organizations to help others, especially Native American communities.
NB3 Consulting
In 2002, Begay started NB3 Consulting. This company helps Native American tribes plan and build golf courses. These courses are designed to help the tribes' economies grow. Some notable courses built with their help include Sequoyah National and Firekeeper Golf Course.
Notah Begay III Foundation
Begay created the Notah Begay III Foundation in 2005. This non-profit organization works to improve the health and well-being of Native American youth. It offers programs that teach kids about health through sports like soccer and golf. The foundation aims to bring positive change to Native American communities.
The foundation has hosted special golf events to raise money. These events, called the Notah Begay III Foundation Challenge, have featured famous golfers playing to support the cause.
KivaSun Foods
In 2010, Begay founded KivaSun Foods. This company sells products made from bison. In 2015, KivaSun Foods received a contract to distribute a large amount of bison meat through a program that helps Native American reservations.
Awards and Honors
- In 2009, Golf Magazine recognized Begay as one of its Innovators of the Year.
- The Institute for International Sport named him one of the Top 100 Sports Educators in the world.
Amateur Wins
- 1995 Northeast Amateur
Professional Wins
PGA Tour Wins (4)
- 1999 Reno–Tahoe Open
- 1999 Michelob Championship at Kingsmill
- 2000 FedEx St. Jude Classic
- 2000 Canon Greater Hartford Open
Other Wins (1)
- 1998 New Mexico Open
Team Appearances
Notah Begay III has represented the United States in several team golf competitions.
Amateur Teams
- Walker Cup: 1995
Professional Teams
- Presidents Cup: 2000 (winners)
- Wendy's 3-Tour Challenge (representing PGA Tour): 2000 (winners)
