Native American Youth True Winners

VERONA, N.Y., Aug. 24 /PRNewswire/ -- Tiger Woods, the world's No. 1 golfer, outshot an all-world foursome that included Camilo Villegas, Mike Weir and Notah Begay III to win the second annual Notah Begay III (NB3) Foundation Challenge. Taking nine skins and $230,000 during the 18 holes played on Monday, Woods successfully outplayed both the field and the challenging Atunyote Golf Club course at Turning Stone Resort & Casino in Verona, N.Y. The tournament raised at least $750,000 for the Notah Begay III Foundation.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090824/CG65583)

"Today the whole thing was about bringing awareness to what Notah is trying to do," said Woods shortly after the Challenge concluded. "It's great to see what he's doing. He's put his heart, soul and passion into it."

Featuring some of the world's top golfers, this year's event created expectations of an exciting day of golf. The players involved did not disappoint, thrilling the crowd of 3,000 with thunderous drives and dazzling short iron play. Early on, it was tournament host Begay III who drew some of the loudest cheers with great chips on both the first and third hole. It was near the middle of the round, when the group halved five consecutive holes starting with the ninth, that the intensity of play began to pick up. A great second shot from 75 yards out and a 10-foot birdie putt by Villegas broke the game open, giving him six skins and $180,000 with a single shot on the 15th. Now trailing, Woods birdied three consecutive holes following Villegas' move to the top, reclaiming the lead with only the daunting 18th left to play. With Villegas and Woods both playing to seal up the victory, it was fitting that Begay III, at his own Foundation's tournament, played a great chip from the fringe and followed with a birdie putt to take the final skin and $70,000.

While Woods took home the most skins during today's round, the true winners of the NB3 Foundation Challenge are the Native American communities that benefit from the Foundation's efforts to improve the health and wellness of youth on Indian reservations nationwide.

Funds raised during the NB3 Foundation Challenge are used to develop and promote sustainable and innovative sports and wellness programs to fight the disproportionate incidence of obesity and diabetes among Native American youth. To date, the Foundation has implemented year-round soccer and golf programs engaging hundreds of Native American youth in New Mexico alone.

"It's time we do more to stop the obesity and diabetes epidemic among Native American youth," said Begay III. "Through the Challenge, we have a unique opportunity to shine a national spotlight on this issue. Our goal is to create a national youth health and wellness movement among tribal nations, and I am excited about the momentum for change I have seen today."

The NB3 Foundation Challenge is made possible by a collaboration between the Oneida Indian Nation and the San Manuel Band of Serrano Mission Indians, two tribal nations donating time and resources to create a more promising future for Native American youth.

"The event was a rare opportunity for the entire central New York region to shine in the international spotlight as four premier athletes put their mark on the Atunyote Golf Club," said Oneida Indian Nation Representative and CEO Ray Halbritter. "As with our own upcoming Turning Stone Resort Championship, all proceeds went to charity. It is gratifying to be able to host an event that showcases our region, provides an economic boost to businesses throughout our community, and at the same time raises hundreds of thousands of dollars for much needed charities. The Oneida Indian Nation was proud to host this historic event."

"This tournament is a demonstration of the commitment that Indian tribal nations have made to elevate health and wellness in their communities across this nation," said Chairman James Ramos, San Manuel Band of Serrano Mission Indians. "Our efforts today will have a positive impact on the health and well being of future generations of Native people and our communities."

For more information on the Foundation and the Challenge, visit: www.notah.com.

Key Background

About the Notah Begay III Foundation

The Notah Begay III Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that was started in 2005 by 4-time PGA TOUR winner and Stanford University graduate, Notah Begay III. The mission of the Foundation is to reduce the incidence of obesity and diabetes and advance the lives of Native American youth through sports and wellness programming. To carry out this mission, the Foundation supports the development of sustainable and innovative programs designed by Native Americans for Native American youth that promote physical fitness, wellness and leadership development.

For more information on Notah Begay III and the Foundation, visit: www.notah.com.

About Turning Stone Resort & Casino

A premier four-season, destination resort in Upstate New York, the Oneida Indian Nation's Turning Stone Resort and Casino is conveniently located about 30 miles east of Syracuse at NYS Thruway exit 33. Turning Stone was named "Most Excellent Resort" by Conde Nast Johansens in 2007 and Casino of the Year by the Academy of Country Music in 2009. The resort offers world class gaming, golf, entertainment, accommodations and spa facilities and has earned AAA four-diamond ratings for The Lodge, The Tower Hotel and Wildflowers restaurant. The Atunyote Golf Club is the annual host of The Turning Stone Resort Championship, a PGA Tour event. Turning Stone's entertainment and meeting venues include the 5,000-seat Event Center, the 800-seat Showroom and the Conference Center.

For more information and reservations, call (315) 361-7711 or 1-(800) 771-7711, and visit turningstone.com.

About the Oneida Indian Nation

The Oneida Indian Nation is a federally recognized Indian nation in Central New York. A founding member of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy (also known as the Six Nations or Iroquois Confederacy), the Oneida Indian Nation sided with the Americans in the Revolutionary War and was thanked by Congress and President George Washington for its loyalty and assistance. Today, the Oneida Nation consists of about 1,000 enrolled Members, most of them living in Central New York. The Nation's enterprises, which employ nearly 5,000 people, include Turning Stone Resort and Casino, the SavOn chain of gas stations and convenience stores, a 1,500-head Angus beef herd, a deep discount store, three marinas, and Four Directions Media, which includes a national weekly newspaper and a 3D animation studio. Proceeds from these enterprises are used to rebuild the Nation's economic base and provide essential services, including housing, health care, and education incentives and programs, to its Members. Visit www.OneidaIndianNation.com for more information on the tribe.

About the San Manuel Band of Serrano Mission Indians

The San Manuel Band of Serrano Mission Indians is a federally recognized American Indian tribe located near the city of Highland, Calif. The Serrano Indians are the indigenous people of the San Bernardino highlands, passes, valleys and mountains who share a common language and culture. The San Manuel reservation was established in 1891 and recognized as sovereign nation with the right of self-government. Since time immemorial, the San Manuel tribal community has endured change and hardship. Amidst these challenges the tribe continued to maintain its unique form of governance. Like other governments it seeks to provide a better quality of life for its citizens by building infrastructure, maintaining civil services and promoting social, economic and cultural development. Today San Manuel tribal government oversees many governmental units including the departments of fire, public safety, education and environment. Visit www.sanmanuel-nsn.gov for more information on the tribe.

SOURCE Notah Begay III Foundation

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