Post by Okwes on Jul 15, 2006 21:51:25 GMT -5
Notah Begay III blends lessons from his life and the sport Posted:
July 12, 2006
by: Sheri Ziemann <http://www.indiancountry.com/author.cfm?id=374> /
Indian Country Today
www.indiancountry.com/content.cfm?id=1096413299
<http://www.indiancountry.com/content.cfm?id=1096413299>
Click to Enlarge <http://www.indiancountry.com/pix/1096413299_large.jpg>
<http://www.indiancountry.com/pix/1096413299_large.jpg> Photo
courtesy Kevin Vicroy -- Professional golfer Notah Begay III is
combining his Native roots and experience to develop golf courses in
Native communities ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - Renowned pro golfer Notah Begay
III integrates his Native roots and values with the business savvy of a
man with a degree in economics from Stanford University. The results are
an exciting vision of the future for folks in Indian country that
incorporate the importance of family and community with the wisdom of
strategic planning and economic development that builds for all members
of a tribe.
Begay discovered his love for golf when he was barely out of
toddlerhood. His father joined a twilight business league when the
younger Begay was about 4 years old. The boy and his brother would tag
along with their dad, eventually earning the $2 for a bucket of balls by
gathering aluminum cans to be recycled.
By the time he was 8, Begay was unable to gather enough cans for
recycling to feed his need for golf balls. He went to the course manager
and asked for a job. His offer to the manager? No need to pay him -
Begay would do whatever needed to be done in exchange for the chance to
play for free. The manager told him to show up at 5:30 a.m. Begay said
he really took advantage of their arrangement.
Now he's 33 years old and the only full-blooded American Indian pro
golfer in the history of the game. Just a few of his goals:
* Passing the baton to at least one other American Indian pro by the
time he retires;
* Teaching upcoming generations of Native youth how to play the game;
and
* Providing assistance to numerous tribes who are developing their own
golf courses, while supporting their plans for economic development.
Begay, who married wife Apryl less than a year ago, was born and raised
in Albuquerque, where they still make their home. His father is
full-blooded Navajo (and his paternal grandfather was a code talker);
his mother is New Mexican Pueblo - half-San Filipe, half-Isleta.
A college teammate of Tiger Woods and Casey Martin, Begay said, ''I have
two brothers; my next youngest played golf in college, as well. Golf
afforded us a number of opportunities - primarily our education, but
also to travel, to see a lot of different places.'' (He's the eldest of
the three brothers, and has one older sister and one younger.)
A professional for a decade so far, Begay has been plagued by a back
injury for the past few years. He started his consulting company, NB3,
earlier in his career than most. He asserted that this is less because
of his chronic back pain and more because he wants to help Native tribes
build stronger communities. He wants to share his experience, through
sound consulting, to help these nations develop courses that can support
their existing businesses, such as gaming and/or hospitality.
''I think it was just a natural fit for me to move into,'' said Begay.
''Initially, there was some interest in different communities for me to
design courses. I've always felt that if you're not educated in a
particular area, don't fake it. Golf course architects are very well
trained, and that's not me. But with my economics degree from Stanford,
I could take a tribe's vision and turn it into reality for them. Outside
entities would come in and implement what they thought was best for the
tribe - but I feel it's better for me to come in and find out what their
goals are in terms of business strategies, then tailor that to the
courses they want to build.''
An example of this is the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Nation - it is
set to break ground on its new course this fall, with a grand opening in
2008. NB3 is also starting a feasibility study for the Navajo Nation in
the Four Corners region. ''We've begun with an initial assessment of
what the market will bear, what the projections will be,'' Begay stated.
''They may want to start a gaming operation, or their second choice
would be as a stand-alone course.''
Once the feasibility study determines the best course of action, a
course architect comes in and designs it. Next, a construction
management firm builds it. For this leg of the project, NB3 works
closely with Landscapes Unlimited LLC, one of the top golf course
development firms in the world. According to Begay, the third and most
important step is the grand opening and management of the property.
''That's where I can shine, since I'm the most accomplished Native
American in the history of the game, and the best educated. Some of the
elder decision-makers feel I might be too young to provide insight into
a tribe's long-term goals - we often feel we need to prove ourselves to
be twice as competent as another group. That's because most of us at NB3
are around 30 years old.''
''In golf,'' Begay pointed out, ''the younger you are, the better you
play. Sometimes business experience can often outperform youthful energy
- but not every time. But with a lot of tribes, the sense is, 'The more
gray hair you have, the better/wiser you are.' In this arena, having
seen and played the best venues in the world gives us an insight into
how golf properties should be designed and managed. Bringing this to the
table can be far more important than someone who is 10 years older but
never played as many places as I have,'' Begay said with the conviction
of a winner who's truly been around the world.
The most important thing Begay hopes tribal councils and leadership will
understand is that NB3's key point is when the course opens. This is a
time that's crucial for the communities' youth. ''We offer kids various
capabilities, from jobs and learning important values in life to
discovering how these life lessons can be found in the game of golf.
My experience is predicated in building communities by calling upon my
Native American roots, not just as a golfer. I use my vast experience
and knowledge to teach our youth sound values and work ethics. We don't
want to lose our youth to instant gratification [e.g., casinos, video
games, etc.]''
Begay offered insight into something most of us have never considered:
''Golf is probably the only game that people from four different
generations can play at the same place, same time. You can't do that
with basketball, football or baseball.''
''I know golf isn't a prevalent sport in Indian country. But we can
teach the young, the middle-aged, our elders how to enjoy the game, and
they can all enjoy it together. In a society where there's so little
family time, it's wonderful to get outside and go play golf with your
parents and/or grandparents.''
Once a golf course has been launched, Begay's foundation comes in with
two initiatives. The first is golf-based, taking place in the summer.
This is primarily centered in the Albuquerque area, with so many tribes
there. These small community clinics teach golf etiquette. ''
Kids may know how to swing a club,'' said Begay, ''but we also teach
protocols like who putts first, not to step into someone's line, shake
your opponent's hand after a round of golf. This is a sign of respect
for competitors, which teaches kids to respect one another. Kids come
out of a junior clinic knowing how to play the game of golf across the
board.''
The second project started by the Notah Begay III Foundation is a soccer
program in San Filipe Pueblo, 30 minutes north of Albuquerque. Begay
pointed out that golf has some socioeconomic factors that prevent
everyone from playing - from the cost of equipment to transportation and
access to a decent course. Once kids go home from a clinic, they can't
always continue to play golf.
Begay wanted something Native youth could do anywhere, even in the
streets. ''Soccer's the most universal game in that regard - all you
need is a ball and kids. The most important benefit,'' said Begay, ''is
getting kids active in a soccer field, which promotes their health
without being an expensive game to play. This will help offset diabetes,
a major issue in Indian country.''
Reflecting upon his roots and his future, Begay addressed what matters
to him in terms of what he has to offer the world. ''Besides playing
golf, I hope people will look back and see me as someone who's built and
strengthened our Native American communities, not just by looking back
at our history, but also from looking at our current resources to build
a future for generations to come.''
Freelance writer Sheri Ziemann is based in the Chicago area. She traces
her Cherokee roots to her mother's family in the mountains of North
Carolina.
July 12, 2006
by: Sheri Ziemann <http://www.indiancountry.com/author.cfm?id=374> /
Indian Country Today
www.indiancountry.com/content.cfm?id=1096413299
<http://www.indiancountry.com/content.cfm?id=1096413299>
Click to Enlarge <http://www.indiancountry.com/pix/1096413299_large.jpg>
<http://www.indiancountry.com/pix/1096413299_large.jpg> Photo
courtesy Kevin Vicroy -- Professional golfer Notah Begay III is
combining his Native roots and experience to develop golf courses in
Native communities ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - Renowned pro golfer Notah Begay
III integrates his Native roots and values with the business savvy of a
man with a degree in economics from Stanford University. The results are
an exciting vision of the future for folks in Indian country that
incorporate the importance of family and community with the wisdom of
strategic planning and economic development that builds for all members
of a tribe.
Begay discovered his love for golf when he was barely out of
toddlerhood. His father joined a twilight business league when the
younger Begay was about 4 years old. The boy and his brother would tag
along with their dad, eventually earning the $2 for a bucket of balls by
gathering aluminum cans to be recycled.
By the time he was 8, Begay was unable to gather enough cans for
recycling to feed his need for golf balls. He went to the course manager
and asked for a job. His offer to the manager? No need to pay him -
Begay would do whatever needed to be done in exchange for the chance to
play for free. The manager told him to show up at 5:30 a.m. Begay said
he really took advantage of their arrangement.
Now he's 33 years old and the only full-blooded American Indian pro
golfer in the history of the game. Just a few of his goals:
* Passing the baton to at least one other American Indian pro by the
time he retires;
* Teaching upcoming generations of Native youth how to play the game;
and
* Providing assistance to numerous tribes who are developing their own
golf courses, while supporting their plans for economic development.
Begay, who married wife Apryl less than a year ago, was born and raised
in Albuquerque, where they still make their home. His father is
full-blooded Navajo (and his paternal grandfather was a code talker);
his mother is New Mexican Pueblo - half-San Filipe, half-Isleta.
A college teammate of Tiger Woods and Casey Martin, Begay said, ''I have
two brothers; my next youngest played golf in college, as well. Golf
afforded us a number of opportunities - primarily our education, but
also to travel, to see a lot of different places.'' (He's the eldest of
the three brothers, and has one older sister and one younger.)
A professional for a decade so far, Begay has been plagued by a back
injury for the past few years. He started his consulting company, NB3,
earlier in his career than most. He asserted that this is less because
of his chronic back pain and more because he wants to help Native tribes
build stronger communities. He wants to share his experience, through
sound consulting, to help these nations develop courses that can support
their existing businesses, such as gaming and/or hospitality.
''I think it was just a natural fit for me to move into,'' said Begay.
''Initially, there was some interest in different communities for me to
design courses. I've always felt that if you're not educated in a
particular area, don't fake it. Golf course architects are very well
trained, and that's not me. But with my economics degree from Stanford,
I could take a tribe's vision and turn it into reality for them. Outside
entities would come in and implement what they thought was best for the
tribe - but I feel it's better for me to come in and find out what their
goals are in terms of business strategies, then tailor that to the
courses they want to build.''
An example of this is the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Nation - it is
set to break ground on its new course this fall, with a grand opening in
2008. NB3 is also starting a feasibility study for the Navajo Nation in
the Four Corners region. ''We've begun with an initial assessment of
what the market will bear, what the projections will be,'' Begay stated.
''They may want to start a gaming operation, or their second choice
would be as a stand-alone course.''
Once the feasibility study determines the best course of action, a
course architect comes in and designs it. Next, a construction
management firm builds it. For this leg of the project, NB3 works
closely with Landscapes Unlimited LLC, one of the top golf course
development firms in the world. According to Begay, the third and most
important step is the grand opening and management of the property.
''That's where I can shine, since I'm the most accomplished Native
American in the history of the game, and the best educated. Some of the
elder decision-makers feel I might be too young to provide insight into
a tribe's long-term goals - we often feel we need to prove ourselves to
be twice as competent as another group. That's because most of us at NB3
are around 30 years old.''
''In golf,'' Begay pointed out, ''the younger you are, the better you
play. Sometimes business experience can often outperform youthful energy
- but not every time. But with a lot of tribes, the sense is, 'The more
gray hair you have, the better/wiser you are.' In this arena, having
seen and played the best venues in the world gives us an insight into
how golf properties should be designed and managed. Bringing this to the
table can be far more important than someone who is 10 years older but
never played as many places as I have,'' Begay said with the conviction
of a winner who's truly been around the world.
The most important thing Begay hopes tribal councils and leadership will
understand is that NB3's key point is when the course opens. This is a
time that's crucial for the communities' youth. ''We offer kids various
capabilities, from jobs and learning important values in life to
discovering how these life lessons can be found in the game of golf.
My experience is predicated in building communities by calling upon my
Native American roots, not just as a golfer. I use my vast experience
and knowledge to teach our youth sound values and work ethics. We don't
want to lose our youth to instant gratification [e.g., casinos, video
games, etc.]''
Begay offered insight into something most of us have never considered:
''Golf is probably the only game that people from four different
generations can play at the same place, same time. You can't do that
with basketball, football or baseball.''
''I know golf isn't a prevalent sport in Indian country. But we can
teach the young, the middle-aged, our elders how to enjoy the game, and
they can all enjoy it together. In a society where there's so little
family time, it's wonderful to get outside and go play golf with your
parents and/or grandparents.''
Once a golf course has been launched, Begay's foundation comes in with
two initiatives. The first is golf-based, taking place in the summer.
This is primarily centered in the Albuquerque area, with so many tribes
there. These small community clinics teach golf etiquette. ''
Kids may know how to swing a club,'' said Begay, ''but we also teach
protocols like who putts first, not to step into someone's line, shake
your opponent's hand after a round of golf. This is a sign of respect
for competitors, which teaches kids to respect one another. Kids come
out of a junior clinic knowing how to play the game of golf across the
board.''
The second project started by the Notah Begay III Foundation is a soccer
program in San Filipe Pueblo, 30 minutes north of Albuquerque. Begay
pointed out that golf has some socioeconomic factors that prevent
everyone from playing - from the cost of equipment to transportation and
access to a decent course. Once kids go home from a clinic, they can't
always continue to play golf.
Begay wanted something Native youth could do anywhere, even in the
streets. ''Soccer's the most universal game in that regard - all you
need is a ball and kids. The most important benefit,'' said Begay, ''is
getting kids active in a soccer field, which promotes their health
without being an expensive game to play. This will help offset diabetes,
a major issue in Indian country.''
Reflecting upon his roots and his future, Begay addressed what matters
to him in terms of what he has to offer the world. ''Besides playing
golf, I hope people will look back and see me as someone who's built and
strengthened our Native American communities, not just by looking back
at our history, but also from looking at our current resources to build
a future for generations to come.''
Freelance writer Sheri Ziemann is based in the Chicago area. She traces
her Cherokee roots to her mother's family in the mountains of North
Carolina.
