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About Smoke signals. (Grand Ronde, Or.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 15, 2001)
SEPTEMBER 15, 2001 Smoke Signals 9 u Notah Begay Breaks from the Pro Tour, Appears in Oregon Native American golfer speaks to youth, teaches at clinics and inspires all who witnessed his skills. st- ... V i f f t" f , Interesting Begay spoke to young people at one of two golf clinics. S IS ) 1 v Lit- , r r v ( , ' ft A Being Notah Begay... Begay took time to sign auto graphs for those seeking to collect a piece of this young role model. 7 V f r v. ' 'it' ? : 1 ! ' A Warm Up Begay took part in a 3K Fun RunWalk to raise awareness of diabetes which is a major health prob lem for Native Americans throughout the country. Begay said the subject hits close to home and that a number of his family members have been affected by diabetes. By Peta Tinda After just a few minutes with professional golfer Notah Begay III, Darren Burnside's , golf swing had already improved. "He told me to try to stroke the ball not try to kill it," said Burnside. The Umatilla teen was one of several Natives to get personal golfing tips and inspiration from Begay, a professional golfer and the only Native American on the Professional Golfers Association (PGA) Tour. He was visiting the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Reservation's Wildhorse Resort and Golf Course on Labor Day for an inspirational fun walk, golf clinics and motivational speaking. The day began at the Umatilla Tribal long house where Begay was honored with sacred prayer songs and blessings from Tribal Council member Armand Minthorn. Begay told the younger generation to pay atten tion to their culture and sacred ways. "It's important to identify all that is sacred and holy in this life," he said. That philosophy was important to him nearly two years ago when he encountered trouble. "I've experienced quite a bit of turmoil in my life," Begay told Umatilla Tribal members and friends. After winning $1.2 million in 10 months on tour, he said he thought he was "on top of the world." "All of a sudden it came to a screeching halt," said Begay. He decided to drive after drinking and was caught, spent a week in jail, and nearly lost his endorsements. "At that time in my life, I felt that I really needed something I could rely on," said Begay. He turned to his family, friends and Native identity to lead him through. "I wouldn't have been able to go through what I have and come out with as much success without that in my life," he said. He hasn't had a drink since. Motivation is another mes sage Begay brought to the Umatillas. He encour aged the Native youth to go after their dreams despite what naysayers may tell them. "I've been the only Native who's come this far," A Lasting Legacy Although Native American Golfer Notah Begay III is currently one of the hottest golfers on the Professional Golfer's Association tour, he is quickly proving that his lasting legacy may very well be his ability to reach out to and inspire young people of all origins to achieve a better life. Begay shows aspiring golfer Darren Burnside, 12, how to improve his swing. v hi . I ' ' - ; i : i ' ' i '" ' 'IT i -I ..4 j , It A Nice and Easy Notah Begay of the Navajo Nation shows off the swing that has turned him into a millionaire on the PGA tour. Begay recently appeared in Oregon on the Umatilla Reservation near Pendleton to teach young people about golf and share his story of success that has led him to be the premier American Indian athlete in the country today. Begay is pictured here trying a million dollar hole-in-one shot to benefit charity. L 1 said Begay. "But it can get very lonely at times. I think that's why Tiger (Woods) and I such good friends. We are usually the only two minorities at the event," said Begay. Begay is half Navajo, one-quarter San Felipe and one quarter Isleta Indian. He began playing golf when he was six. His father played in a busi ness league while working for the Bureau of In dian Affairs Notah would tag along for the twi light nine-hole competition. In the summer he would save his spare change for a bucket of balls. Then he asked the head pro at Ladera Golf Course near his home if he could work at the course for playing privileges. He is the most successful Native golfer, with four PGA tour victories. He can putt either right or left handed, depending on which way the putt breaks. He is the holder of a record for lowest 18 hole score in National Collegiate Athletic Associa tion (NCAA) history with a score of 62 in the sec ond round of a 1994 tournament. His younger brother Clint caddied for him in two of his pro victories in 2000. Begay began the day at Umatilla by leading a three-kilometer fun walk to raise awareness of dia betes among Native Americans. With many close relatives affected by diabetes, Begay encouraged his audience to get exercise and eat well. "Does anyone in my family have diabetes? It's more like who doesn't have diabetes. My mother is a diabetic, my grandmother died of it and my cousin was just diagnosed with it," said Begay. Begay also addressed the many obstacles young Natives face when trying to achieve. Lack of ac cess to equipment may hinder athletic ability, but there are other ways to get ahead, he said. "The most important thing I'll ever do until I have a kid is my Stanford degree." That lesson was not lost on the young golfers at the clinic. "I've always been a fan of Notah and Tiger," said 12-year-old Kamin Moses. "I want to go to Stanford like they did." D
