Notah Begay, PGA Tour Legend and His Community Legacy
Begay reflects on winning the Payne Stewart Award and his work for Native youth.
1A Moment of Shock and Honor
Notah Begay III describes the moment he received the Payne Stewart Award as 'a pause my mind couldn't process.' The PGA Tour's most prestigious community service award crowned Begay's journey from golf career to dedication for Native communities. The award honors players who embody values of character and generosity.
2The Birth of NB3 Foundation
Begay founded the NB3 Foundation in 2005, starting as a golf program for Native youth. The Navajo former golfer later expanded it into a national nonprofit combating childhood obesity and diabetes. Today, the foundation operates programs ranging from nutrition to research, making a broad impact.
3Inspired by Golf's Giving Culture
Begay highlights that the PGA Tour donates more than other major sports combined: 'Giving back is in our DNA.' Tournaments have generated over $4 billion in donations historically, inspiring Begay's foundation work. Golf's philanthropic culture became his guiding principle.
4A Father's Legacy: Service to Community
Begay's passion for community service was inherited from his father, who started a soccer team for Native youth in the 1980s with no prior knowledge of the sport. This legacy taught Begay to 'use sports to make an impact,' a principle he continues through the NB3 Foundation.
5Evidence-Based Approach
Objective evaluations by Johns Hopkins were pivotal in the foundation's growth. Begay states, 'We moved forward based on hard data, not speculation.' This approach became the cornerstone of the foundation, which has reached over 85,000 youth and invested $10 million over two decades.
6The Award's Tangible Impact
$200,000 of the $500,000 award grant will go to the NB3 Foundation. Begay is also hosting the 7th Native Youth Golf Championship, opening doors for new talents. These initiatives aim to create lasting contributions to Native communities' health and education.
Original article: Forbes - Business — Notah Begay, PGA Tour Efsanesi ve Toplumsal Mirası