Personal

Began playing golf at age 6. Father played in a business league while working for the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Notah would tag along for the twilight, nine-hole competition. In summer would save spare change for bucket of range balls and then asked head pro at Ladera Golf Course near his home if he could work at course for playing privileges...Most successful Native American golfer, with four TOUR victories. Half Navajo, one-quarter San Felipe and one-quarter Isleta...Has putted left- and right-handed, depending upon direction the putt breaks...Brother Clint caddied in his two 2000 victories...The movie, "Windtalkers," starring Nicolas Cage and Christian Slater, tells the story of the 375 Navajo Indians recruited to help in intelligence during World War II. Begay's grandfather, the late Notah Begay, was one of the Navajos recruited to assist the U.S. government. His grandfather was a radioman and was stationed on the front line...Has held the Notah Begay III Foundation Challenge since 2008. In 2009, raised $750,000 as Tiger Woods, Camilo Villegas and Mike Weir competed in the skins game competition at Turning Stone Resort's Atunyote Golf Club in Verona, N.Y., with Woods finishing first. The event is a collaboration between the Oneida Indian Nation of New York and San Manuel Band of Serrano Mission Indians of California. Begay established his foundation in 2005. It uses the sports of golf and soccer to promote physical fitness and wellness among Native American youth, who are plagued by obesity and diabetes.