A four-time PGA Tour winner is hosting a tournament in Saskatchewan this week, bringing junior golfers together while working to grow the game and inspire Indigenous youth. The Notah Begay III Western Canadian Championship got underway at Dakota Dunes Tuesday, drawing golfers from across Canada and the United States. Since launching his foundation in 2005, Notah Begay III has hosted several tournaments focused on creating more opportunities for young golfers. “We try and open opportunities for all golfers. There are no membership fees, there are no resumes required,” Begay told CTV News. “You have to qualify, but it’s open to pretty much anybody that has a set of clubs and wants to come out and compete, and I think that’s the best way to grow the game.” The Indigenous golfer is this year’s recipient of the PGA Tour’s Payne Stewart Award, which recognizes character, sportsmanship and charitable commitments. Begay III is from Albuquerque, New Mexico, and was a three-time All-American at Stanford, where he played alongside Tiger Woods before turning professional in 1995. He spent two years on the Canadian Tour before making his way to the PGA Tour. “I’ve always had very soft spot in my heart for Canada, which is why we continue to invest in junior golf here,” he said. During his time at Dakota Dunes, Begay will also meet with Indigenous youth, sharing lessons from both golf and life. He says Indigenous youth can face a range of barriers, and he wants to help create more opportunities through the sport. “I just try and equip them with some ideas and an understanding that they’re not alone. And that golf is a great way to utilize their time if they have access to the sport, which is what we’re trying to do through our series.” Whitecap Dakota First Nation Chief Darcy Bear says he’s glad to see Begay highlighting Indigenous youth in Canada. He says 104 boys and girls, ages 10 to 18, are competing in the tournament. “I’m sure that every golfer, every athlete that’s here today is going to have a very a memorable experience one way or another, whether it’s a great shot or winning the tournament,” Bear said. Top finishers at the tournament will go on to compete in the Notah Begay III National Championships in Louisiana in November.
