Notah Begay (Navajo/Pueblo) and the Oneida Indian Nation are teaming up for the fourth time in their fight against obesity and to promote youth sports and wellness within American Indian communities.  The fourth anual Notah Begay III (NB3) Foundation Challenge is slated for July 5 at Turning Stone Resort’s Atunyote Golf Club.

The event has once again attracted huge stars from both the sports and entertainment worlds, with golf giant Tiger Woods and rising star (and part Navajo) Rickie Fowler teeing off alongside NFL quarterbacks Tony Romo of the Dallas Cowboys and Sam Bradford, Cherokee, of the St. Louis Rams in the two-person team, best ball 18-hole shootout.

Proceeds from the tournament go directly to the Notah Begay II Foundation, which has raised more than $2.4 million in the first three years of the event.

“I am humbled and very excited to have some of the world’s elite athletes as a part of this year’s event,” said Begay in an official press release. “The involvement of world-class golfers like Tiger (Woods) and Rickie (Fowler) and NFLer’s Tony (Romo) and Sam (Bradford) takes the 2011 NB3 Challenge to a whole new level and, more importantly, helps reinforce the Foundation’s commitment to empowering Native youth to sustain active, healthy and productive lives.”

Founded in 2005, the Notah Begay III Foundation took on the mission to reduce childhood obesity and Type 2 diabetes in American Indian youth.  One of the foundation’s goals is to “develop sustainable and evidence-based sports, health, wellness and leadership development programming that can be replicated throughout Indian Country,” the press release stated.

“The Oneida Indian Nation and Turning Stone Resort are delighted to once again host the Notah Begay III Foundation Challenge at the Atunyote Golf Club,” said Ray Halbritter in the press release, Oneida Nation Representative and CEO of Nation Enterprises. “We are proud to have partnered with Notah over the years in his efforts to improve the lives of American Indian youth. Notah’s commitment to recruiting the world’s best golfers, athletes and celebrities to participate in this annual event has made a major impact in raising awareness around one of the most pressing health concerns confronting Indian Country and our society at large today – childhood obesity and diabetes.”

The NB3 Challenge’s proceeds have helped launch and support programs in both golf and soccer.  More than 3,850 Native youth have been involved with and served by these two additional NB3 programs.  Funds that were raised during the 2009 NB3 Challenge helped purchase a new, $750,000 soccer field and community park in the San Felipe Pueblo for the San Felipe Soccer Club and the residents of the Pueblo, and is the first of its kind in the Pueblo’s history.

Partnerships have also sprung from the NB3 Challenge, including one with the John Hopkins Center for American Indian Health.

This year’s Challenge will be a two-person team, best-ball format, with a total purse of $275,000.

Here is ticketing information provided by NB3:

Tickets are on sale now, and may be purchased by contacting the Turning Stone Box Office at 315-361-SHOW (7469) or visiting the Box Office which is open daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. NB3 Challenge tickets are priced at $50 for adults and, until May 15, can be purchased for a special, limited-time offer of $40 each (no restrictions applied). Youth admission for 16 and under is provided complimentary with purchase of an adult ticket (must be requested at time of original purchase). Active Military receive a 50 percent discount upon presentation of a valid military I.D. Overnight packages are also available by calling 1-800-771-7711.

For more information about the NB3 Foundation Challenge, visit: www.nb3challenge.com.