SANTA ANA PUEBLO, N.M. – Renowned Navajo golfer and four-time PGA Champion Notah Begay III visited with Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren here for a televised segment on the Golf Channel.
They were at the Two Warriors Golf Club for the inaugural NB3, (Notah Begay III) Foundation Challenge. This is a golf tournament Begay established to raise funds and awareness for youth health and wellness programs, particularly for Native American communities.
The tournament serves as a college competitive event and a platform for advocacy to emphasize Notah Begay’s commitment to improve the health of young people.
“Thank you, Notah, for being such an inspiration, not only for the Navajo people, but all of Indian Country,” President Nygren told the champion golfer and philanthropist. “NB3 definitely has impacted the next generation of athletes and the next generation of golfers all across Indian Country. To see that Native people can make things happen in today’s age, and to be able to compete at a high level as an athlete like yourself, is inspiring to collegiate athletes.”
The event brought several colleges to one of the two Santa Ana Pueblo-owned golf courses, known for its beautiful landscape, Begay told President Nygren.
“We have the University of New Mexico, New Mexico State, Texas, and then my alma mater, Stanford University,” Begay said. “It’s the first Native-owned, native-produced golf event in the history of live television, and we’re so very proud of that.”
“I think it’s tremendous to see this on national TV Golf Channel, and to be able to see a Native golf course be presented all throughout yesterday and today,” President Nygren said. “To see what it looks like when there’s a golf course on a reservation on a Native land, to see it showcased in Indian country, other tribal leaders and governors that are here today can really see the economic opportunities.”
He said it’s a beautiful golf course and facility.
“You’ve got athletes from all over the world and all over the country representative to play,” the President said. “So, to me, it’s really big for Indian country and Native America today, just to see this golf tournament happen.”
