3rd NB3 Challenge raises $1.25 million

Hitting the fairway every time

NB3 Challenge continues success in Indian country

By Leeanne RootComing in 10 under par, Hunter Mahan and Cristie Kerr beat a field of PGA and LPGA stars to win the third annual Notah Begay III Foundation Challenge. Their final score was two better than the runner-up pairing of Rickie Fowler and Annika Sorenstam.

This year’s event, held again at Atunyote Golf Club at Turning Stone Resort & Casino, was a little different than last year. The format changed from skins to a mixed team, best ball format, and the laid back nature of the charity event made for more crowd interaction and banter between the players.And:Fowler, who has finished second on the PGA Tour twice as of June 2010 and is currently ranked No. 34, is one-quarter Navajo.

“This is part of who I am and I definitely want to be able to give back to my people,” Fowler’s grandmother is full Navajo. He said getting to know Begay and being able to play at the Challenge has made him want to get closer to the Native part of his heritage.

But in the end, the day was about the kids, the foundation and helping Begay raise money to combat Type 2 diabetes and obesity in Native American children. After the players finished, a check for $1.25 million was presented to the foundation.Comment:  For more on the subject, see NB3 Foundation Fights Obesity and 2nd NB3 Challenge Raises $1 Million.

Below:  "Notah Begay III teed off at the first hole while his partner, Lorena Ochoa, (to the left in a green shirt) who has 27 LPGA Tour wins and was ranked No. 1 in the world when she retired in May 2010; and Rickie Fowler, (to the left in pink) who has finished second on the PGA Tour twice as of June 2010 and is currently ranked No. 34, watched." (Leeanne Root/Indian Country Today)