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From Stanford University to the PGA Tour to his announcing duties, Notah Begay III always has made giving back to the game that has given him everything in life a priority.
The 53-year-old, four-time Tour winner and founder of NB3 Foundation, a Native-led nonprofit, has been named the recipient of the Payne Stewart Award, honoring his character, sportsmanship and commitment to charitable giving.
Begay will be honored on Aug. 25 at the Payne Stewart Award Ceremony in conjunction with the Tour Championship. Golf Channel will televise the ceremony as part of a “Golf Central” special from 7-8 p.m. ET at the Southern Exchange in downtown Atlanta.
“This is an incredible honor and one I accept with great humility,” said Begay. “Payne Stewart represented the very best of our game, not only in how he competed, but in how he lived his life and gave back to others. To be associated with his legacy is truly special. Golf has given me a platform to serve, and I’ve always believed it’s our responsibility to use that platform to uplift others, especially the next generation. This recognition allows me to make a meaningful impact in the communities I’ve had the privilege to represent.”
The Payne Stewart Award is presented annually to a professional golfer who best exemplifies Stewart’s values of character, charity and sportsmanship. Stewart, an 11-time Tour winner and a World Golf Hall of Fame inductee, died tragically 27 years ago in a plane crash.
The only full-blooded Native American to play on Tour, Begay won twice in both 1999 and 2000. He also enjoyed a standout collegiate career at Stanford, where he was an All-America First Team selection and helped the Cardinal win the 1994 NCAA Championship.
Following his playing career, Begay transitioned into broadcasting. Begay made his debut for Golf Channel in 2010 and joined NBC Sports in 2013 as an on-course reporter for live tournament coverage of the Tour. Today, Begay III serves as an analyst for Golf Channel.
Beyond competition and broadcasting, Begay has remained deeply connected to the Native American community, using his platform to mentor Native American youth and expand access to golf within their communities. A National Native American Hall of Fame inductee, Begay continued impact reflects a career defined not only by performance, but by purpose.
“Notah Begay III has always used his platform to make a meaningful and lasting impact, particularly within his Native American communities, and that ongoing work no doubt reflects the values of character, compassion and leadership that define the Payne Stewart Award,” said Tour CEO Brian Rolapp.
The Payne Stewart Award includes a $500,000 grant made possible by Southern Company. The grant supports several initiatives in Stewart’s name and is distributed as follows: $200,000 to the Stewart Family Foundation and $300,000 to charities designated by the recipient. Begay III has chosen to direct $200,000 of his funds to the NB3 Foundation, which he founded in 2005 to address health and wellness challenges facing Native American youth and their communities. The remaining $100,000 will be donated to the Albuquerque Community Foundation, which aids in promoting educational, healthcare and economic opportunities in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and its surrounding communities.
Through its programs, the NB3 foundation has reached more than 80,000 Native American youth and their families across the United States, supporting initiatives focused on physical activity, nutrition, youth development and cultural connection.
Beyond his foundation, Begay III has expanded his impact through NB3 Consulting, working with Tribal communities to develop golf courses and recreational facilities, as well as the Notah Begay III Junior Golf National Championship, which provides opportunities for young players from all backgrounds to compete at a national level. The championship has become a key pipeline in the Tour's Pathway to Progression player development program, helping identify and develop talented juniors from underserved communities.
“Notah Begay III has built a remarkable legacy of serving others that extends far beyond the game of golf,” said Chris Womack, chairman, president and CEO of Southern Company. “Through the NB3 Foundation and his ongoing advocacy for Native American youth, he has helped thousands of young people pursue healthier lives and brighter futures.”
Begay is the 29threcipient of the Payne Stewart Award.
This article originally appeared on Golfweek: Notah Begay III honored for his charitable legacy with 2026 Payne Stewart Award
Continue reading...
The 53-year-old, four-time Tour winner and founder of NB3 Foundation, a Native-led nonprofit, has been named the recipient of the Payne Stewart Award, honoring his character, sportsmanship and commitment to charitable giving.
Begay will be honored on Aug. 25 at the Payne Stewart Award Ceremony in conjunction with the Tour Championship. Golf Channel will televise the ceremony as part of a “Golf Central” special from 7-8 p.m. ET at the Southern Exchange in downtown Atlanta.
“This is an incredible honor and one I accept with great humility,” said Begay. “Payne Stewart represented the very best of our game, not only in how he competed, but in how he lived his life and gave back to others. To be associated with his legacy is truly special. Golf has given me a platform to serve, and I’ve always believed it’s our responsibility to use that platform to uplift others, especially the next generation. This recognition allows me to make a meaningful impact in the communities I’ve had the privilege to represent.”
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The Payne Stewart Award is presented annually to a professional golfer who best exemplifies Stewart’s values of character, charity and sportsmanship. Stewart, an 11-time Tour winner and a World Golf Hall of Fame inductee, died tragically 27 years ago in a plane crash.
The only full-blooded Native American to play on Tour, Begay won twice in both 1999 and 2000. He also enjoyed a standout collegiate career at Stanford, where he was an All-America First Team selection and helped the Cardinal win the 1994 NCAA Championship.
Following his playing career, Begay transitioned into broadcasting. Begay made his debut for Golf Channel in 2010 and joined NBC Sports in 2013 as an on-course reporter for live tournament coverage of the Tour. Today, Begay III serves as an analyst for Golf Channel.
Beyond competition and broadcasting, Begay has remained deeply connected to the Native American community, using his platform to mentor Native American youth and expand access to golf within their communities. A National Native American Hall of Fame inductee, Begay continued impact reflects a career defined not only by performance, but by purpose.
“Notah Begay III has always used his platform to make a meaningful and lasting impact, particularly within his Native American communities, and that ongoing work no doubt reflects the values of character, compassion and leadership that define the Payne Stewart Award,” said Tour CEO Brian Rolapp.
The Payne Stewart Award includes a $500,000 grant made possible by Southern Company. The grant supports several initiatives in Stewart’s name and is distributed as follows: $200,000 to the Stewart Family Foundation and $300,000 to charities designated by the recipient. Begay III has chosen to direct $200,000 of his funds to the NB3 Foundation, which he founded in 2005 to address health and wellness challenges facing Native American youth and their communities. The remaining $100,000 will be donated to the Albuquerque Community Foundation, which aids in promoting educational, healthcare and economic opportunities in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and its surrounding communities.
Through its programs, the NB3 foundation has reached more than 80,000 Native American youth and their families across the United States, supporting initiatives focused on physical activity, nutrition, youth development and cultural connection.
Beyond his foundation, Begay III has expanded his impact through NB3 Consulting, working with Tribal communities to develop golf courses and recreational facilities, as well as the Notah Begay III Junior Golf National Championship, which provides opportunities for young players from all backgrounds to compete at a national level. The championship has become a key pipeline in the Tour's Pathway to Progression player development program, helping identify and develop talented juniors from underserved communities.
“Notah Begay III has built a remarkable legacy of serving others that extends far beyond the game of golf,” said Chris Womack, chairman, president and CEO of Southern Company. “Through the NB3 Foundation and his ongoing advocacy for Native American youth, he has helped thousands of young people pursue healthier lives and brighter futures.”
Begay is the 29threcipient of the Payne Stewart Award.
This article originally appeared on Golfweek: Notah Begay III honored for his charitable legacy with 2026 Payne Stewart Award
Continue reading...
