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HUNTER MAHAN AND CRISTIE KERR TEAM UP TO REPEAT AS CHAMPS AT FOURTH ANNUAL NOTAH BEGAY III FOUNDATION CHALLENGE

Latest edition of event thrills golf fans and raises awareness and funds to improve health and wellness of Native American youth 

Verona, N.Y.  (August 31, 2011) – The team of Hunter Mahan and Cristie Kerr outshot a competitive field of stars from the world of men’s and women’s golf and captured their second consecutive title at the fourth annual Notah Begay III (NB3) Foundation Challenge. The duo finished the mixed team, best ball tournament at Atunyote Golf Club course at Turning Stone Resort & Casino 11 under par, one shot clear of the runner-up pairing of Rickie Fowler and Annika Sorenstam. Not only did the NB3 Foundation Challenge provide an entertaining tournament for golf fans, the event also raised $500,000 for the NB3 Foundation, aiding the Foundation’s effort to improve health and wellness for youth in Native American communities across the country.

“Our event provides an incredible platform to raise awareness for the health issues – namely obesity and diabetes – that are affecting Native youth at a startlingly high rate,” said the event’s host and four-time PGA TOUR winner, Notah Begay III. “It’s through the support of great golfers, the Oneida Indian Nation and all those who attend that we’re able to continue our mission of building a sustainable movement empowering these kids to lead healthier, more successful lives. I’m so humbled and grateful for everyone’s contributions.”

A beautiful August morning in central New York welcomed a crowd of golf fans and eight elite golfers to the first tee box. The action on the course over all 18 holes – highlighted by dazzling shots and a crowded leader board – made this year’s NB3 Foundation Challenge one of the most memorable yet.

“It’s always fun to win, but the real fun and sense of satisfaction comes from being here to help Notah and his foundation raise money to fight obesity and diabetes among Native American youth and helping these kids lead better lives,” said Kerr.

 “I admire Notah and his dedication to helping Native American youth,” said Mahan during the championship trophy presentation on Atunyote’s 18th green. “It’s a privilege to play with all these great golfers and be a part of something that helps create positive change in the Native American community.”

Ultimately, the real action from the 2011 NB3 Foundation Challenge happens outside the ropes, where all proceeds from the event go to the Notah Begay III Foundation, supporting its mission of leadership development and reversing the alarmingly disproportionate rate of obesity and type 2 diabetes among Native American youth. Funds raised at today’s event will go toward establishing two grant programs which will continue to leverage and empower community-based efforts for positive change for the health and futures of Native American youth. The NB3 Foundation will partner with the PGA of America to establish the NB3 Foundation Junior Golf Grants Program which will provide support and technical assistance grants to tribal schools and communities to enhance existing golf programs serving Native American youth. In addition, the Foundation will award soccer program support and technical assistance grants to tribal communities, Native nonprofits and schools for existing soccer programs serving Native youth that are committed to obesity and type 2 diabetes prevention and youth leadership development. 

As in the past, the success of this year’s event is built on a strong partnership between Begay and the Oneida Indian Nation. Indian Nations, like Oneida, continue to make remarkable progress in building stronger futures for their youth and communities. The NB3 Foundation Challenge is an example of what Native groups can accomplish when unifying to address critical issues in Native American communities.

“The Oneida Indian Nation has always supported Notah, this event and the efforts of the Notah Begay III Foundation, and we’re proud to again partner with Notah this year,” said Ray Halbritter, Oneida Nation Representative and CEO of Nation Enterprises. “His vision to improve the lives of American Indian youth is something we share, and the work of his foundation to realize that vision is inspiring. We feel it’s an important responsibility to empower Native youth, and we will continue to support Notah and his initiatives designed to build stronger futures for our next generation.”

For more information on the NB3 Foundation Challenge, visit: http://nb3foundation.org/nb3-challenge.html

Key Background

About Notah Begay III Foundation

In 2005, Notah Begay III established the Notah Begay III (NB3) Foundation, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Notah established the Foundation to address the profound health and wellness issues impacting Native American youth and to empower those youth and help them realize their potential as tomorrow’s leaders. The mission of the Foundation is to reduce the incidences of obesity and diabetes and advance the lives of Native American youth through sports and wellness programming. To this end, the mission the Foundation supports is the development of sustainable, evidence-based and innovative soccer and golf 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.nb3foundation.org.

About Turning Stone Resort Casino

A premier four-season, destination resort, the Oneida Indian Nation's Turning Stone Resort Casino is conveniently located about 30 miles east of Syracuse at NYS Thruway exit 33.  Turning Stone was named “Most Excellent Golf Resort” in 2010 by Condé Nast Johansens. The Academy of Country Music named Turning Stone “Casino of the Year” 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. Turning Stone's entertainment and meeting venues include the 5,000-seat Event Center, the 800-seat Showroom, LAVA-Dance Club and the Conference Center.

For more information and reservations, call (315) 361-7711 or 1-(800) 771-7711. Visit the websites at TurningStone.com and OneidaIndianNation.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 4,500 people, include Turning Stone Resort Casino, the S?vOn chain of gas stations and convenience stores, RV Park, three marinas, Indian Country Today Media Network – the premier national multi-media source for American Indian news and information, and Four Directions Productions - a 3D animation HD cinematography 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.

For more information, visit the Nation’s website www.OneidaIndianNation.com and the official blog www.WovenNotesblog.com.

 

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