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Summer 2016www.IndianCountryTodayMediaNetwork.com
Gabby Barker’s Perfect Swing Thought
Why Indian Country Loves Charity Golf
Clint Begay on Caddying, Winning and Notah
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Summer 2016 THIS WEEK FROM INDIAN COUNTRY TODAY
A LETTER FROM THE PUBLISHER
Shekóli. Why golf? For me, golf is a pas-
sion and a labor of love. Thanks to the
Oneida Indian Nation’s Turning Stone
Resort and Casino, which operates several
highly-awarded golf courses, I have been
blessed to find myself in a position where
my work and play intersect. Golf is an in-
credible sport and a wonderful game. So
much of life is reflected in a round of golf:
the rules, the competition with others, the
competition with yourself, the small cer-
emonies and etiquette. There is no limit to
the appreciation one can develop for the
history of the game, the style of the play-
ers, the background of course design or the
pleasure of being outdoors in a variety of
conditions. Also, golf is an all-ages experi-
ence. Earning a PGA membership was a
great honor for me. It was a milestone I achieved later
in life, which shows that age should be no deterrent to
setting new goals or physical and mental challenges. As
Tiger Woods once told Indian Country Today Media
Network, “Sports teaches so many lessons in life about
success and victory, but also about being humble in de-
feat. I tell everyone that I lose a lot more than I win in
golf, but that just makes me want to work harder.”
Why golf Indian Country? Dedicated golfers know
that many of the best public courses can be found in at
Native-owned and operated clubs and resorts. Indian
Country boasts some of the most challenging courses
and innovative designs, invariably set in some of the
most beautiful natural landscapes in North America.
Once gaming became a principle economic engine for
many Indian nations, building out golf courses, spas and
restaurants was a natural diversification strategy to at-
tract and retain appreciative guests. At Oneida, we al-
ways envisioned our resort as a place that would attract
people from all over the country. This great
sport is a fantastic calling card and a means
to introduce people from all walks of life
to what Native nations are all about. We
held PGA events in the past, and this year
we’ll be the proud hosts of the PGA Pro-
fessional National Championship. It will
be played on Kaluhyote, which translates
to ‘the other side of the sky’ and means ‘a
bit of heaven on earth’, and on Atunyote, or
‘eagle,’ an important animal in our culture,
as it sits atop the tree of peace.
Why golf for Indian Country Today Media
Network? Well, we have many reasons, and
this 48-page magazine can scarcely repre-
sent them all. In addition to the financial
importance of golf to Indian country, as
witnessed by the more than 75 courses you’ll find in our
golf directory, the championing of sport and games in
Native culture is essential to turning around some of
the health statistics that plague our communities and
the world at large. Thanks to the efforts of activists and
leaders such as former-pro turned TV analyst Notah
Begay III and Nike N7’s Sam McCracken, new initia-
tives are encouraging people across Indian Country to
get outside and play. Golf programs that reduce obesity
and Type-2 diabetes while supporting leadership devel-
opment among Native youth? There’s only one response
to that. Fore!
NΛ Ki wa,
Ray Halbritter

4 THE ULTIMATE GIMME
10 FINDING THE FAIR WAY
14 THE LATE, GREAT BLOOMER
16 THE PERFECT SWING THOUGHT
18 GOLF LESSON, LIFE LESSON
19 THE BAG MAN
20 CHILD’S PLAY
22 THE NIKE SWOOSH FLIES AGAIN
24 GET ‘EM WHILE THEY’RE GREEN
25 N7 AMBASSADOR ISAAC HENRY-CANO
26 N7 AMBASSADOR STEVE TOOSHKENIG
27 N7 AMBASSADOR ALEXANDREA SCHULTE
28 THE ULTIMATE SWING TIP
34 THE 2016 INDIAN COUNTRY TODAY
MEDIA NETWORK NATIVE GOLF DIRECTORY
48 THE BIG PICTURE
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Editor@ICTMN.com
Cover: NB3 Consulting (2);
TOC: Las Vegas Paiute Golf Resort/Las Vegas Paiute Tribe
28

4 INDIAN COUNTRY GOLF TODAY
The
Ultimate
Gimme
Charity begins at home… and
sometimes at the first tee
box, because Indian Country
really knows how to throw a
charity tournament BY LEE ALLEN
F
or some it’s a passion, perhaps
even an obsession. For others, it’s
the glue for enduring friendships.
For still others, it’s a great excuse to have
an up-close-and-personal relationship
with trees, sand and water.
In Indian Country, golf has also
proven to be a great revenue genera-
tor for tribes. And in keeping with the
Native spirit of community, of sharing,
of giving back, Indian Country golf is
also frequently associated with Native-
hosted, non-profit tournaments raising
funds for charities and specific projects.
These tournaments nurture the com-
munity, raising awareness and spirits
along with some cash. There are count-
less such events throughout Indian
Country, but here is a shout-out to a
few that stand apart for the good work
they do:
One the biggest is the Notah Begay
III Foundation Challenge, based at the
Atunyote Golf Club at Turning Stone
Resort Casino in Verona, New York,
home of the Oneida Nation. There are
several reasons this annual event is so
popular, including the course and many
the top golfers who play, like Begay, a
four-time PGA Tour winner and his old
college roommate, Tiger Woods, along
with other familiar names, such as Rick-
ie Fowler, Vijay Singh, Lorena Ochoa
Tiger Woods has been a longtime participant in the NBIII Foundation Challenge.
APIMAGES;NCAIED
Gary Davis, President CEO of the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development, is joined by NCAIED’s Board of Directors to
kick off the 2016 National RES Scholarship Golf Tournament at the Las Vegas Paiute Golf Resort.

INDIAN COUNTRY GOLF TODAY 5
and Annika Sorenstam.
Atunyote (Oneida for ‘eagle’) is the
longest of Turning Stone’s three cham-
pionship courses at 7,315 yards. The
site of this year’s PGA Professional Na-
tional Championships, it features vast
stretches of open space, rolling hills,
several lakes and a stream with water-
falls. While Atunyote is the headliner,
the Shenendoah and
Kaluhyat courses are
also treats for casual
players or the obsessed.
According to Golf-
NewYork.com:
“When the Oneida
Nation decided to
add golf to Turning
Stone Resort and Ca-
sino, it didn’t enter the
golf world timidly—it
jumped into the deep
end and produced a big
splash. No cutting cor-
ners, no sparing costs,
and the result is a trio of
big-league courses.”
While the course and contestants are
big draws, the biggest draw is the goal
of funding athletic, health and wellness
programs for Native youth. (The tourna-
ment has raised over $4 million in just
seven years.)
AMERIND Risk’s annual Protecting
Tribal Families Tournament in New
Mexico’s Santa Ana Pueblo assists non-
insured Native families struggling after
the loss of their home or some other
catastrophic event, with a portion of the
proceeds also benefiting the American
Indian Graduate Center.
Played this year at Twin Warriors Golf
Club, one of the tribe’s three courses, the
The tournament draws
top golfers like Begay,
Tiger Woods, Rickie
Fowler, Vijay Singh,
Lorena Ochoa and
Annika Sorenstam.
Notah Begay III, Steve Tooshkenig, Bentley Clark,
Alex Barrett, and Rick Barrett at the 2015 Champions of the
NBIII Foundation Challenge.
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four-person scramble event raised some
$14,000, adding to the $100,000 raised
by the event since it began in 2004. “It’s a
great fit for us because all proceeds of this
tournament go to protect tribal families,”
says Nancy Harjo Serna, AM-
ERIND director of market-
ing, who notes that the NB3
Foundation and NICWA, the
National Indian Child Wel-
fare Association, also benefit.
The 2016 event sold out
early with a full field of 140
golfers from all over North
America, ranging from tribal
leaders to golf pros like Notah
Begay III. Also on hand was
the 2015 reigning Miss In-
dian World, Cheyenne Brady,
and Pueblo Governor Myron
Armijo.
“The tournament was a tre-
mendous success,” says PGA
pro Derrick Gutierrez, who
runs the site, which was rated
by Golf Digest as one of the
top 100 public golf courses in
the U.S.
The Twin Warriors track
opened in 1991 as a cham-
pionship high desert course
that is routed around ancient
cultural sites. Its grassy knolls
and ridges are dotted with
juniper and pinon pine in-
termingled with dry arroyos
and eroded land features like the sacred
butte known as Snakehead (Tuyuna) —
all framed by the Sandia Mountains.
Southern Nevada Paiute country, just
a few minutes away from the famed Las
Vegas Strip, offers a trio of championship
courses sculpted by famed course archi-
tect Pete Dye.
The National Center for American In-
dian Enterprise Development hosts its
annual RES Tournament here. Prior to
the official kickoff of the National Res-
ervation Economic Summit, NCAIED
hosts the tourney to help raise money for
scholarships for deserving Native Ameri-
can business students. Scholarships are
awarded at the Indian Progress in Busi-
ness (INPRO) Gala held every fall.
Crystal Merrick is the tribe’s direc-
tor of tournaments and says, “It’s always
a bit crazy, but a lot of fun and always
a sold-out full flight of 144. Being an
Indian-owned facility, we host a lot of
well-known tribal representatives and
they are always complimentary of how
the course plays.
“NCAIED golfers used the Sun Moun-
tain course this year and are booked there
for next year” Merrick says. “Because this
is such a popular tournament, we had to
turn back some walk-ons this time, so
please register early for next year.”
Benny Tso, Chairman of the Las Ve-
gas Pauite Tribe, played in the NCAIED
event this year after blessing the 9 a.m.
tee time with a welcoming prayer, and his
foursome finished five under par. “This is
a fun tournament for a good cause and a
great opportunity to meet old friends and
make new ones,” he said.
The NABI (Native American Bas-
Golfers take their tee shots at the 2016 RES Scholarship Golf Tournament at the
Las Vegas Paiute Golf Resort.
Mark West (left) and A.C. Green (r), with Jason
Coochwytwea at the 3rd Annual NABI Golf Classic.
AMERIND;NCAIED;NABI
AMERIND Risk CEO Derek Valdo, and Miss Indian
World Cheyenne Brady, at the 12th Annual Protecting
Tribal Families Golf Fundraiser.

ketball Invitational) Foundation Golf
Classic is held at the Ak-Chin Southern
Dunes Golf Club in Maricopa, Arizona.
It is supported by the Ak-Chin Indian
Community; Gila River Indian Com-
munity; National Indian Gaming As-
sociation, the NBA Phoenix Suns, the
WNBA Phoenix Mercury and Nike N7.
The event supports Phoenix-based Na-
tive youth non-profit organizations that
depend on donations — 100% of all pro-
ceeds go to benefit the foundation.
Golf magazine and Golfweek ranked
Southern Dunes as the 5th ‘Best You
Can Play’ course in Arizona. Sprawled
across more than 300 acres, the course
is an annual qualifying site for the U.S.
Open (and sometimes the PGA Tour
Qualifier). The course is impeccably
maintained, and the service and ame-
nities are superb.
The course, built in 2002 with the
help of golf legend Fred Couples, is
spread over nearly twice the acreage
of a typical golf course, and has trans-
formed the typically flat desert terrain
into some magnificent landscape,
“This year’s tournament, our third,
On the fairway at the 3rd Annual NABI Golf Classic.
NABI(2)
Golfers practice before teeing off at the 3rd Annual NABI Golf Classic.

was awesome,” says NABI co-founder
GinaMarie Scarpa. This year 132 golf-
ers showed up and helped raise $20,000.
“I’m OK with that, a happy camper, but
next year this will be a premier golf tour-
nament with people clamoring to enter.
Next year, I want a full flight of 36 four-
somes and we’re shooting for a fundrais-
ing goal of $50,000.”
UNITY (United National Indian Trib-
al Youth, Inc.) is a 40-year-old national
nonprofit based in Mesa, Arizona. It is
the largest Native youth leadership net-
work organization in the country, and it
raises funds to support youth develop-
ment. UNITY was recognized as 2015
NonProfit of the Year by the Ameri-
can Indian Chamber of Commerce of
Arizona for its work with Native youth
throughout the country. Among their
regular projects is the annual UNITY
Golf Classic held this year at Whirlwind
Golf Club, an enterprise of the Gila River
Indian Community, and planned next
year for the Fort McDowell Yavapai We-
ko-pa Golf Club course in Scottsdale.
UNITY Executive Director Mary Kim
Titla, who now coordinates 160 youth
councils in 36 states, got things started in
the late 1990s when she used her celeb-
rity status as a TV reporter to rally fun-
draising support for youth programs. “In
its heyday before the economy went sour,
we raised as much as $100,000 a tourna-
ment,” she says. “We discontinued things
for awhile, but decided to revise the effort
three years ago..”
“Besides the fun on the course and
some great networking, UNITY features
a large silent auction of donated items
including art, jewelry, trips, and lots of
rounds of golf,” says Red Note’s Jason
Coochwytewa. “Some folks play in the
tournament just to get to bid on the auc-
tion items!”
Gaming and golfing are boon compan-
ions for NIGA and AIGA, the National
Indian and Arizona Indian Gaming
Associations that hold annual tourna-
ments. NIGA recently hosted its 30th
annual competition in San Diego at Bar-
ona Creek. “We come here in the spirit
of sovereignty to have a good time with
Barona and the Sycuan Band of the
UNITY Youth with Phoenix’s NBC Affiliate 12News reporters covering the 2016 UNITY Golf Classic.
UNITY;NIGA
Actor Adam Beach at the NIGA 30th Annual
Golf Tournament at Barona Creek.

Kumeyaay Nation graciously hosting —
with monies raised going toward schol-
arships,” says NIGA Chairman Ernest
Stevens.
Barona Creek has been labeled one of
the Top 5 Casino Courses in the Country
by Golf Digest, and one of California’s
top courses.
There are many Native-involved char-
ity golf events specific to a tribe or a geo-
graphical region, far too many to list, but
here are a few notable examples:
The Phoenix AISES (American In-
dian Science and Engineering Society)
golf tournament (September) at Oco-
tillo Golf Resort in Chandler, Arizona
puts its proceeds toward scholarships
and leadership programs benefiting Na-
tive college students in Arizona pursu-
ing STEM degrees (science, technology,
engineering, mathematics). Since 2002,
the annual fundraiser has raised more
than $70,000.
The Construction in Indian Country
Student Endowment Golf Tournament
at Wild Horse Pass Resort in Phoenix is
sponsored by Arizona State University
School of Engineering and Sundt Engi-
neering. This was the 13th year of raising
scholarship proceeds for American In-
dian Students majoring in Construction
Management. To date, $500,000 has been
raised. 0
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Finding the Fair Way
Notah Begay III’s NB3 Consulting helps tribes navigate
the business side of golf BY KRISTIN BUTLER
G
olf can be a sanctuary for those
seeking a few hours of solitude
or some quiet companionship in
the great outdoors. And nowhere is that
serenity more valued than in the many
secluded courses of Indian country. A
feeling of remoteness is one of the most
treasured characteristics of tribal golf
courses. For the most part, fairways are
void of residences and buildings. Golfing
in Indian country very often means be-
ing immersed in nature.
And Native-owned courses are usu-
ally immaculately groomed. “Tribal golf
courses are the most highly maintained
facilities in the world,” says Notah Begay
III (Navajo/San Felipe/Isleta Pueblo),
the first Native American to win on the
PGA Tour. “It’s so nice when you get the
chance to break away from the day-to-
day grind to play on these pristine cours-
es, to get lost in the meadows and in the
dunes.”
Back in 2002 when Begay, a Stanford
graduate and four-time PGA Tour win-
ner, set out to launch a golf course de-
velopment service for tribes, golf was
still a budding economic foray for Indian
country. “There was a time when tribes
were uncertain about whether to move
forward with golf,” says Begay, who cur-
rently serves as an NBC and Golf Chan-
nel analyst. “There was a debate between
the business side and tribal councils over
whether or not golf was a good fit. Now,
we can look at how much golf has done
for tribal businesses. It’s been such a posi-
tive thing.”
Breaking into the golf design/build
field involved a lot of false starts for
Begay and his team. Their mission was
simple: to help tribes develop new golf
courses and to renovate existing golf
properties. Begay also had both practi-
cal and honorable mandates for part-
nering with tribes. “The one thing that I
impress upon my partners that help me
“It’s about sustaining
our communities
— from a business
standpoint, a cultural
standpoint, and
from a sovereignty
standpoint.”
Notah Begay at the 18th hole of the Sewailo
Golf Course in Tuscon.
NB3 Consulting developed the Sewailo Golf Course at the Pascua Yaqui Tribe’s
Casino Del Sol Resort in Tuscon, AZ.
NB3CONSULTING(4)

build these properties is that we work for
the tribal community. We work for the
people. So it’s vital that we do our best,
and it’s vital that we finish on time, and
it’s vital that we finish on budget, and it’s
vital that we hire as many tribal members
as possible.” Begay and NB3 Consulting
are committed to serving and improv-
ing Native communities and work with
local TERO (Tribal Employment Rights
Office) offices on both job creation and
placement.
For Begay, doing business with Indian
country is not about commerce or con-
venience. He’s invested in the long-term
impact of economically diversifying and
empowering tribal communities. “We
want to continue to give back to our com-
munities and make them better. It’s about
sustaining our communities — from a
business standpoint, a cultural stand-
point, and from a sovereignty standpoint.
Our golf courses represent that.”
One of Begay’s first deals was with the
tribe now behind the award-winning Se-
quoyah National Golf Club in Cherokee,
North Carolina. “It’s wonderful that the
Eastern Band of the Cherokee Nation
chose to work with us,” Begay says.
Since hiring Begay as a consultant, Se-
quoyah National is happy to report busi-
ness is on the upswing. “Rounds are up
approximately 25 percent over last year,
when we had just begun our recovery,”
says Kenny Cashwell, PGA general man-
ager at Sequoyah National Golf Club. “I
am optimistic about the future for Se-
quoyah National and the Eastern Band
of Cherokee Indians have a product that
they can be extremely proud of.”
Begay believe his experience and his
firm’s unique market advantage help NB3
deliver for clients. “I understand how the
Gaming Act was positioned to help our
communities become independent. I
understand the economics of business.
I’ve played the best courses in the world,
and I’ve stayed in the nicest hotels in the
world,” Begay says. “So I know what it’s
like to have a resort-experience at the
Notah Begay speaks at the opening of the
Pascua Yaqui Tribe’s Sewailo Golf Club.

highest level. I want to bring those ex-
periences back and share as much of it
as I can with the businesses that have so
graciously chosen to work with us.”
And that’s what NB3 Consulting does.
Begay’s vision of combining the design
and construction services under one
contract, with a single point of responsi-
bility, was instrumental in streamlining
the process for the tribal nations with
which he works.
NB3 Consulting’s mission has led to
some tremendous results, including
Firekeeper Golf Course in Mayetta, Kan-
sas, and Sewailo Golf Course in Tucson,
Arizona. Additionally, NB3 Consulting
helped engineer the Sequoyah National
project from start to finish.
“It is a very, very competitive environ-
ment in golf design, because there are
so few projects,” Begay says. “There are
more golf courses closing in America
than there are opening. And for us to
go and compete with the best design-
ers and the best developers and to win
these businesses and have the courses be
ranked so high in their categories is in-
spirational.”
Integrating Native culture in tribal
business is a core principle for Begay and
NB3 Consulting. He is a firm believer in
building businesses rooted in and reflec-
tive of indigenous values and traditional
ways. “Having those things in place are
symbolic of maintaining our cultural
identity as Native peoples,” he says. “But
also understanding that in order to do
well in modern business, we don’t have
to sacrifice who we are.
“That’s my message to young kids: You
don’t have to choose one or the other.
You can still maintain your culture and
identity as American Indian — your
practices, your beliefs, your faith — and
be successful in the modern business
world. It’s not a one or the other choice.”
Even the names of the properties NB3
Consulting has worked on reflect that
commitment to incorporating Native
identity into golf course branding and
design. “They’re direct derivations from
the cultural traditions of these commu-
nities,” Begay explains. “Sequoyah devel-
oped the first alphabet for the Eastern
Band of Cherokee Indians. The Potowa-
tomi were charged with the task of main-
taining and keeping the fire burning.
They’re the firekeepers. Sewailo means of
the flower world. The feel they emerged
from the flower world.”
Firekeeper Golf Course
The Prairie Band of Potawatomi may
be the keepers of the fire, but it’s the wind
that rules this course in Kansas, just 20
miles north of Topeka. Firekeeper, NB3
Consulting’s first signature design, is in
a state not widely regarded for its golf
courses. But it was this high-caliber des-
tination course in the midwest that so-
lidified NB3 Consulting’s name in the
industry.
In 2011, NB3’s debut project opened
in Mayetta, Kansas. Begay weighed in on
design concepts for virtually the entire
240-acre tract. “This is his first signature
course and we’re the first golf course de-
signed by a Native American on Native
American soil,” Randy Towner, course
manager, said.
Begay sees the marriage of golf and
nature with accessible entertainment as
a major appeal of golf courses in Indian
country. “It’s its own sector of golf. It’s
different than other resort golf, because
it’s got a casino component; it’s got enter-
tainment,” Begay says. “There’s so much
more to these properties than golf, and I
think that that’s what’s the most intrigu-
ing thing about them.”
When Firekeeper opened in 2011,
GolfWeek named it the best course in
Kansas. In 2016, FireKeeper came in
at No. 1 in Kansas on Golfweek’s Best:
State-by-State Courses You Can Play.
Sewailo Gof Club
In 2013, NB3 Consulting introduced
Sewailo Golf Club, an economic en-
terprise of the Pascua Yaqui Tribe that
has redefined golf in the southwest.
The par-72 championship course winds
around lakes, streams and waterfalls,
and is situated directly south of Casino
Del Sol Resort’s AVA Amphitheater in
The 18th hole at the Firekeeper Golf Course, owned by the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation, and located in Mayetta, KS.

Tucson, Arizona.
Sewailo Golf Club was the top course
in Arizona, according to the 2016 Golf
Advisor Rankings, and the #6 course in
the country.
Sequoyah National
Golf Club
Owned by the Eastern Band of Cher-
okee Indians and developed by NB3
Consulting, this Robert Trent Jones II-
designed 18-hole course was immedi-
ately named the No. 2 new golf course
in the country by Golf Magazine when it
opened in late 2009.
“The conditions at Sequoyah National
are outstanding all around,” Cashwell
says. “We had a recent Pro-Am and the
entire field was buzzing over how won-
derful the greens are.”
After a winding drive through moun-
tainous terrain to reach Sequoyah Na-
tional, golfers are greeted by undulating
bluegrass fairways and bent grass greens,
and behind them, the Great Smoky
Mountains and a sea of botanically di-
verse forests that, in autumn, color the
skyline in yellow, pumpkin and crimson.
In addition to honoring the geographical
aspects of the land, NB3 Consulting em-
braced tribal history. At each of Sequoyah
National’s holes, for instance, golfers can
learn about Cherokee culture — Native
legends and stories are etched into every
tee box sign.
The course has also helped funnel
money to the tribe’s nearby Harrah’s
Cherokee Casino Resort, where golfers
go for dining, entertainment and to stay
in one of its 600 luxury rooms.
“For us to have successfully completed
three highly ranked golf courses that sup-
port tribal business is a dream come true
for me, because serving my community
and my people has always been at the
forefront of my priorities,” Begay says.
From his days at Stanford with college
roommate, close friend and fellow pro
Tiger Woods, to his first PGA Tour win
in 1999, to his work today as a golf com-
mentator for NBC and the Golf Channel,
Begay has given his time and energy to
his home Pueblo and Indian country at
large. He has dedicated his life to foster-
ing the success of Native youth who ben-
efit from his nonprofit the Notah Begay
III Foundation (NB3F) that increases
Native youth access to sport and strives
to combat the devastating rates of obesity
and diabetes in Indian country. “I love
our kids. Our kids are doing these great
things, these young people,” Begay says.
Begay intends to continue to use
his high-profile and his companies to
strengthen the economic might of In-
dian country. Golf, he thinks, will be a
big part of that. “I’m very positive about
where golf is in Indian country right
now. Tribes are so business-savvy now,”
he says. “They appreciate what golf does
and what it can do for their business
models.” 0
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The Late, Great Bloomer
J.C. Wright didn’t pick up a club until after college,
but he’s had an amazing rise in the industry BY SAM LASKARIS
T
hose who knew Jon (J.C.) Wright
during his youth and college years
might be rather surprised to dis-
cover what he is doing these days.
Since the fall of 2014, Wright, who grew
up on South Dakota’s Rosebud Indian Res-
ervation, has been working as the Director
of Golf at the Lookout Mountain Golf Club
in Phoenix, Arizona. The club, located at
the Pointe Hilton Tapatio Cliffs Resort,
is also the flagship location for the Hil-
ton Golf Academy. That’s right, Wright
is successfully working in the golf busi-
ness. That’s even though he didn’t play
the sport in high school or college (South
Dakota’s Black Hills State University). In
fact, Wright only took up golf after col-
lege. Upon returning home, he was work-
ing at a casino. But his cousin’s father had
bought a local golf course and he was for-
tunate enough to play there on a regular
basis, albeit with no teaching and with
some second-hand clubs that were far too
short for his 6-foot-5 frame.
“Not only was I self-taught but I was
using clubs that weren’t designed for me,”
Wright says.
By 2000, Wright, who seemed to be a
natural at the sport, had become a scratch
golfer. Some friends persuaded him to
head west and attend the Golf Academy
of America in Phoenix.
After plenty of research and securing
grant money to attend the golf school,
Wright found himself at the Arizona
facility. Making it that far was an ac-
complishment in itself for Wright, the
youngest of four children who was raised
on a reservation solely by his mother. “It
was a challenge but she supported it ev-
ery way she could,” he says of his mother
and his aspirations to make it in the golf
business.
After his time in Arizona, Wright
played professionally, but wasn’t able to
land a lucrative tournament payday. “I
tried to play competitively and it just
didn’t work out. It was a great experi-
ence but I was quick to figure out what I
needed. A big portion of that was finan-
cial support and that’s what I didn’t have.”
But Wright did not abandon his hopes
of working in the golf industry. His focus
turned to the business side of the sport and
Wright moved from playing professionally to the business side of the sport.
COURTESYPOINTEHILTONTAPATIOCLIFFSRESORT

by 2009 he had secured his PGA mem-
bership card, enabling him to continue
working in the sport as a teaching pro.
“The golf business is great but it doesn’t
mean you have to play it,” Wright said.
“There’s a lot of other opportunities out
there.”
Prior to landing his current gig, Wright
worked as a golf pro at four other Arizo-
na courses, including Ak-Chin Southern
Dunes Golf Club , We-Ko-Pa Golf Club
and the Whirlwind Golf Club, all Native-
owned..
“It has always been my goal to work
for Native American-owned properties
in that capacity, or the general manager’s
capacity, so that I can continue to grow
the game in Native American communi-
ties,” he said. “ I still have that desire to
in some way, shape or form get back to a
Native American community.”
Wright praises PGA officials for their
attempts to introduce and support Native
American youth with their golf efforts. “I
think they do a great job working with
Native American golf courses and prop-
erties.”
As an example, back in 2006, Wright
was fortunate to help out at a PGA camp
which included 100 Native American
youth golfers in Albuquerque, N.M.
Wright, however, says there is still
plenty of work to be done to get more
Native youth into the sport. “I think it
starts at the tribal government level,” he
said. “And I encourage the leaders and
the government officials to work with
the operators to dive in head-first and
really work in the communities and
push the game and work with the kids
and be compassionate and empathetic.
Most don’t know what they have to
deal with every day and every night. I
think it’s a little sad when you walk into
some of these properties and there are
no Native Americans or tribal members
enrolled.”
Wright also has some advice for Native
youth. “You don’t have to be a golfer to be
in golf.” He’s proof the sport can lead to a
successful career and fulfilling life.
“Where I’m at today is all due to golf,”
he says. “Everything I’ve done and seen
and visited is all due to golf. I try to pro-
mote that aspect of it.” 0
“I encourage
the leaders to
work with the
operators to
dive in”
LAND CONSOLIDATION EFFORTS UNDERWAY
The Land Buy-Back Program for Tribal Nations, created to implement part of the Cobell Settlement, is
offering fair market value to landowners for voluntarily restoring fractional land interests to tribes, which
helps ensure that Indian lands stay in trust.
Landowners are encouraged to contact the U.S. Department of the Interior to learn
about eligibility and to ensure that their contact information is up to date.
Please call the Trust Beneficiary Call Center Today:
1-888-678-6836
More information is available from your local Fiduciary Trust Officer, or on the web: www.doi.gov/buybackprogram
U.S. Department of the Interior
Land Buy-Back Program for Tribal Nations
- Many landowners have already been paid.
- The Program has successfully concluded transactions worth more than $500 million,
restoring the equivalent of more than 975,000 acres of land to tribal governments.
- All sales are voluntary, but landowners will only have 45 days to accept.

The
Perfect
Swing
Thought
Gabby Barker is always
shooting for a lower
score, and higher
appreciation of her Native
heritage BY KRISTIN BUTLER
G
abby Barker grew up in Caldwell,
Idaho, a couple hours’ drive from
the Fort Hall Indian Reservation,
where her father, Dwight Barker (Sho-
shone), was raised. “I learned golf from
my dad,” she says, “and he has been my
coach my whole life.”
When she graduated from high school,
the Shoshone/Paiute golfer left her home-
town, which is framed by mountains, for
the flat desert of the Texas panhandle in
2014 to join the Red Raider Ladies golf
team at Texas Tech in Lubbock. “Texas
Tech is amazing and it’s definitely differ-
ent than back home in Idaho,” she says.
If the transition was challenging for
her, you wouldn’t know it by looking at
her scorecard.
In May, at the conclusion of her sopho-
more year, Barker was named the 2016
Big 12 Women’s Golf Player of the Year.
Barker credits her teachers and family
for guiding her to success. “I couldn’t
have imagined this happening to me
when I first started playing golf, and I
couldn’t have done it without [Texas
Tech women’s golf coach] JoJo [Robert-
son], [assistant coach] Matt [Whall] and
my parents,” she says. “They have been a
huge influence on how I play golf. I can’t
thank them enough.”
Barker is the first player in the history
of Texas Tech women’s golf program to
receive the honor. She was twice named
the Big 12 Female Golfer of the Month in
the 2015-2016 golf season, claiming the
honors in both September and February.
“I am so happy for Gabby to be rec-
ognized as the Big 12 Player of the year,”
Robertson said. “She is not only a great
player, but a great person and leader in
our program.”
The 10 highest-ranked players in the
GolfStat national rankings comprise
the All-Big 12 team. After the Big 12
Women’s Golf Championship, the high-
est-ranked competitor is named the Big
12 Player of the Year, while the highest-
ranked freshman receives the Freshman
of the Year honor.
Barker finds strength in her heritage and in the support and motivation of her family,
particularly her parents.
JOHNWEASTPHOTOGRAPHY/TEXASTECHATHLETICS(3)

She cites a quote from Thomas Edison
that reflects her outlook: “Our greatest
weakness lies in giving up. The most cer-
tain way to succeed is always to try just
one more time.”
The 20-year-old student maintains her
unwavering focus by treating college life
like a career. “The time I spend here for
college is very demanding, and I treat it
like a fun job — one that I know will pay
off in the end.”
Barker adds that she was initially sur-
prised by “how much effort I have to put
into every day to become who I want to
be, but it will definitely be worth it.”
In addition to not following her steadi-
ly climbing rank and staying fiercely
dedicated to her routine and personal
growth, the humble Barker is quick to
praise her teammates. “The way I main-
tain my focus in times of pressure is not
only doing it for myself but for my team.
My team has moved up the rankings as
much as I have.”
Barker plays “for something that
means much more than myself,” she adds.
Part of that “something” is sharing her
culture with others — including the many
golf fans who don’t have the slightest un-
derstanding of modern Indian identity.
“I have had many
reactions to my
Native heritage. I
share many things
about my culture
on social media,
and I’ll show my
teammates, and
they don’t have any idea what it is. For
example, a pow wow. I showed them a
couple videos of the dances, and they
were surprised.”
Roots are crucial to Barker. She’s
finds strength in her Indianness and in
the support and motivation of her fam-
ily, particularly her parents, Dwight and
Robin Barker. “My dad is always the most
positive person out there, and will tell me
everything I need to know if I feel like
I am down,” she says. Her mom is her
shoulder to lean on or perhaps cry on af-
ter a challenging tournament. “If I had a
tough round, she will always be there to
listen and give me the best advice on how
to keep going.”
While golf will remain a lifelong dedi-
cation for Barker, the Human Develop-
ment and Family Studies major has goals
beyond the game. “My area of concentra-
tion [in school] is dealing with kids. After
college and hopefully a career in golf, I
plan on working as a counselor at a high
school on a reservation,” Barker says. “I
would love to motivate more kids to pur-
sue going to college, not only for sports
but to get a college degree.”
She has also thought about going after
her masters or PhD, “because I would
love to have my own practice someday.”
To reach her goals and juggle school
and golf, Barker keeps a regular sched-
ule that begins with class at 9 a.m. daily,
involves afternoon golf practice, and rig-
orous workouts twice weekly. Each day
concludes with homework from about 6
to 8 p.m.
Barker’s strategy on the course is simi-
larly straight-forward and methodical. “I
am more of an analytical player. I take
things as they are and don’t dwell on
them too much,” she says of studying a
hole and selecting which club to hit.
But her pre-game prep is less tradition-
al. “My happy place is found in music. I
listen to music before every round while
I warm up, and the last song that I listen
to before I shut off my phone is the one I
sing for the whole round,” she says. “That
is what keeps me happy and easygoing
while I’m out on the course.”
Ranked No. 18 nationally in the NCAA
by GolfStat, Barker is blazing new trails
while representing Indian country.
“That is an unprecedented accomplish-
ment for a Native American golfer,” says
Notah Begay III, Navajo/Pueblo, four-
time PGA Tour winner. “She’s currently
ranked higher than players from power-
house programs like Stanford, UCLA and
Duke.”
Not that Barker follows her ranking
— she only knows how she stands there
when people inform her. Barker’s only
goal is to beat her own best. “I think that
no matter where I am at on the leader-
board, I know in my heart that I am ca-
pable of reaching a higher potential,” she
says.
“I’m sure she has dreams of playing
professionally, like I did,” Begay says. “I
know what it takes, and she has the skill,
and it sounds like the determination.
Hopefully I get a chance to meet her and
just visit, get to know her.” 0
“The most certain way to
succeed is always to try just
one more time.”
Barker looking to make par.
Barker won her first career individual title at
the 2015 Betsy Rawls Longhorn Invitational.

Golf Lesson,
Life Lesson
Jessica Dailleboust wants to make
your swing better, and improve your
play at the 19th hole BY HALEY STUART
Jessica Dailleboust is the only mem-
ber of her family who played golf
at the collegiate level, but none of
them are strangers to the game. “It is in
my blood,” she says. “My father started
[teaching me and my siblings] at a young
age.” She picked up the game quickly and
started to actively compete at the age of
8. While both her father and brother still
play recreationally, Dailleboust has been
lucky enough to turn her passion into a
career.
A quarter Navajo, Comanche, Ottawa
and Mohawk, Jessica Dailleboust, a reg-
istered Comanche, is an Assistant Golf
Professional at Talking Stick Golf Club
in Scottsdale, Arizona, which is owned
by the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian
Community. She has been a LPGA in-
structor for almost five years and has
been with Talking Stick for a little over
a year. With fellow golf instructor, Jason
Montoya, Dailleboust coaches monthly
Native-only instructional sessions at
Talking Stick.
Even though she showed her talent for
the game early on, her parents pushed
her to pursue schooling. In 2008, she re-
ceived her Bachelor’s in Sociology from
the University of New Mexico and, two
years later, a Masters in Business Admin-
istration and Management from Western
New Mexico. You might say that she’s not
using her education now, but she’d dis-
agree: she says her knowledge of sociolo-
gy informs how she coaches her students
and her business management skills will
help her achieve her professional dream:
her own teaching facility.
Dailleboust grew up in bustling life of
the urban city, but she still has roots to
her Native heritage, and her grandfather,
Navajo Leader Peter MacDonald, plays
a large role in her life. “What inspires
me about [him] is
when I’m watch-
ing him during
those speaking
engagements and
I look around the
room. The way
people admire
him and are en-
gaged in what he is saying is incredible
to see.”
Dailleboust tries to inspire all her stu-
dent; she coaches men, women and chil-
dren of all ages.. Through coaching, she
can connect to everyone and share her
zeal for golfing with people of every skill
level.
However, in this modern age, Daille-
boust is also tapping technology to her
advantage. She uses apps to enhance her
student’s experience, particularly the V1
app, which uses the camera function on
a phone to record your swing while ana-
lyzing and comparing it to swings in the
V1’s archive of tour professionals.
Although Dailleboust finds the V1 app
helpful, she has discovered limitations.
During her employment at the PGA Tour
Superstore in Palo Alto, California, she
was able to use cameras for front and side
views of her student’s swings. She would
then use those videos to show what was
happening that the students couldn’t
see. She knows this is a crucial learning
tool because students often don’t really
understand what their bodies are doing
once they are in motion.
Dailleboust hopes to create a new app
and break through those limitations in
V1; she envisions an app that will be
interactive through both image and au-
dio recording, while also being able to
send files directly to other devices or
platforms. She says this is important for
learning, and for making sure a player is
using the proper equipment.“Technology
in golf has come a very long way in club-
making. Whether a beginner or a more
advanced player, it’s important that they
are playing with equipment tailored for
their height and swing needs.”
Dailleboust is also looking at coach-
ing golfing from another side, focusing
on its social element. After learning that
a large group of women were interested
in being taught together at a beginning
level, Dailleboust began creating what
she calls her “ladies group.” The session
begins with a short instructional clinic in
which women of all ages and skill levels
are steered toward a modified (depend-
ing on experience), six-hole course. Af-
terward completely that truncated round,
all the women are served cocktails and
given both time and space for a bit of
socializing, what Dailleboust hopes will
create “a social networking kind of feel-
ing.”
There is no name for this “ladies
group” approach yet, but Dailleboust
hopes that it will spark the interest of
women who are looking to get back into
the swing. She sees that women are often
intimidated by the game, so she is hoping
to create a fun environment for them.
Dailleboust has started integrating her
idea with the Phoenix Salt River Pima
Tribe, hoping to bring in more players,
and inspire more people to love golf. 0
Dailleboust gives pointers on a student’s swing.
COURTESYOFJESSICADAILLEBOUST

Spring 2016 THIS WEEK FROM INDIAN COUNTRY TODAY
The Bag Man
Caddying for his brother on the pro tour
taught Clint Begay some invaluable les-
sons, and he’s passing that knowledge
down BY TISH LEIZENS
I
t’s not the weight of that huge golf bag
but rather their time together and the
lessons he learned that Clint Begay re-
members most when he talks about cad-
dying for his brother, Notah Begay III. “I
think I enjoyed that more than anything—
being able to be on the course with him
and just kind of hanging out with him,
talking and being successful at the same
time, which made it even better,” says the
younger Begay, now program director for
NB3, a foundation named after his broth-
er, a pro golfer turned analyst for the Golf
Channel.
There is pride in his voice as he recalls
their successful partnership on the fair-
ways—and pain when he talks about the
tough times his brother had to go through
when his body started to betray him. “I
caddied four events with him, made every
cut, and we won twice. At the time, I didn’t
realize it, but it’s like a caddy’s dream to be
that successful,” says Clint, who is now in
his 40s and is two years younger than his
brother.
When Notah started having physical
problems that would eventually push him
to retire from the professional tour, Clint
went on to caddy for Dorothy Delasin and
then K.J. Choi. In all, he caddied on both
the PGA and LPGA tours for 10 years.
And then came the opportunity to sup-
port his father, who had started a golf pro-
gram in To’hajiilee, a Navajo community
west of Albuquerque. (He also started a
soccer program at San Felipe Pueblo.) “I
went from carrying a golf bag on a nice,
pristine golf course to cleaning a dirt soc-
cer field and trying to rid it of rocks and
lining it with gypsum—from a gypsum
plant from behind the casino,” he says. “I
was really getting involved in the commu-
nity.”
It was a good change for the tribal son
(Navajo/San Felipe/Isleta Pueblo) who
had lived outside of the reservation for
so long. But those years caddying for his
brother and traveling all over the world
delivered valuable lessons he soon found
helpful in his new career as soccer coach
for girls. “I try to teach these kids that
there’s a big world out there. Always be re-
spectful to your culture and to your elders
and to your people, but also understand
that being educated and getting out into
this world and experiencing it for yourself
is also important,” Begay says.
He also learned a lot from his older
brother, and after all these years, the
brothers have nev-
er stopped talking.
“We grew up on
the 14th hole. That
was our daycare, if
you want to call it
that,” says Begay,
referring to Albu-
querque’s Ladera
Golf Course.
“I have a great
relationship with
Notah. We are
very close. I enjoy
him a lot. I enjoy
being around him
and respect every-
thing he has done
as a husband and a
father and as just a
man.”
His years of
coaching soccer
taught him an-
other lesson as
well. He learned to
grieve, give and be
compassionate. It
broke his heart to
see girls struggling without a caring father
or mother. That’s why he took on the role
of counselor and later on fostered three
girls, in addition to raising his own 5-year-
old son, Quenton.
Three years ago, his father retired and
he had to let go of heading the soccer
program to take over the golf program.
“Last year, we’ve seen about 500 kids in
our program, whether it’s a one-day camp
or four-day camp or eight-week session,”
he says.
Clint Begay’s golf programs are only
one of the many initiatives of NB3
Foundation, a non-profit organization
dedicated to reversing Native American
childhood obesity and type-2 obesity. The
Nike N7 initiative supports NB3. “The
game gave my family so much and it con-
tinues to give my family a lot. I just try to
expose them to it,” he says, referring to
golf and how he coaches the kids.
If there is one thing being a caddy
teaches you, it is being prepared, says Be-
gay. “I think that is what it taught me—to
try and be prepared the best you possibly
can.”0
Clint Begay
CALIFORNIA’S
4TH BEST
RESORT COURSE
-GOLFWEEK
HAPPIEST
CASINO
ON EARTH!®
Golf Course designed by Gary Roger Baird Design International Ltd., Nashville, TN
Senior Designer - Todd Eckenrode. © Copyright 2016 Barona Tribal Gaming Authority.
NB3FOUNDATION

Child’s Play
The bold Nike N7 golf project will tap Native pros
to evangelize on the many benefits of the game for
young people BY KRISTIN BUTLER
W
hen longtime friends and
collaborators Notah Begay
III (Navajo/San Felipe/Isleta
Pueblo) and Sam McCracken (Fort Peck
Assiniboine and Sioux), the head of Nike
N7, get together, big ideas unfold — ideas
that not only have the potential to pro-
mote health and tribal sovereignty, but
stand to benefit generations of Native
youth..
Their goals and aspirations have
aligned since the first time they spoke.
They met in the summer of 1998, at a
Web.com event, the developmental tour
for the U.S.-based PGA Tour, connecting
over a shared passion to get more Native
youth into the sport.
Come 2000, McCracken drafted a busi-
ness plan for fostering relationships be-
tween Nike and tribes, and increasing the
amount of physical activity across Indian
country. This was the seed that would be-
come Nike N7.
Nike N7 is a commitment to bring
sport and all of its benefits to Native
American and Aboriginal communi-
ties across North America. According to
Begay, the magnitude of N7’s influence
and impact cannot be overstated: “It’s
the single biggest historical opportunity
to leverage the accomplishments of Na-
tive athletes in a comprehensive effort to
shed light on the challenges that Native
children face on a day-to-day basis, and
to use these athletes, these ambassadors,
to inspire [youth] and encourage them to
believe that they can be more.”
The N7 vision also involves uniquely
designed N7 apparel and footwear that
supports the N7 Fund. The N7 Fund
provides grants to Native and Aborigi-
nal communities in support of sport and
physical activity programs for youth. In
addition, N7 boasts an impressive roster
of N7 Ambassadors who represent the
power of sport to unleash human poten-
tial. These athletes are breaking records
and serving as role models to indigenous
youth. “There’s been no point in history
that we’ve had World Series champions,
PGA Tour winners, Heisman Trophy
winners and gold medalists in a single
generation. It’s an unprecedented period
of time,” Begay says.
Now, N7 is expanding to include the
Nike N7 Golf Initiative, officially launch-
ing in July 2016. Spearheaded by Mc-
Cracken and Begay with Nike Golf, it’s
a multi-pronged effort that gives tribally
owned pro shops an exclusive on N7
golf merchandise (with the opportunity
to co-brand), and sends Native golf pros
out to promote tribal youth engagement
in the game.
The N7 Golf merchandise includes a
new shoe and golf apparel, such as tra-
ditional Nike golf polos emblazoned
with the N7 logo — and potentially the
tribal golf club’s logo as well. “I’m pretty
biased, but I think the N7 brand has a
unique resonance with tribal communi-
ties, and I think they understand that the
mark and the logo belongs to them, and
that proceeds from [N7 product sales]
go back to inspire our kids to be more
physically active,” McCracken says.
Earlier this year, Nike Golf placed se-
lect N7 Golf apparel at test sites across
the country. “We hand-picked a few
marketplaces,” McCracken says, among
them: Talking Stick Golf Club in Scott-
sdale, Arizona; Indian Canyons Golf
Resort in Palm Springs, California; and
The Country Club at Soboba Springs in
San Jacinto, California. It’s already gone
viral: Some Native golf pros, like Jason
G. Montoya, PGA professional at Talk-
ing Stick, have made waves across social
media, regularly posting photos of the
N7-branded merchandise. “Now the
buzz is out on where you can get it,” Mc-
Cracken says.
This summer, N7 Golf will begin a
more aggressive outreach to tribal golf
clubs across the United States to give
them the chance to sell the new apparel.
“It’s very exciting to say that the only
place you can buy this product is at trib-
Sam McCracken, the head of Nike N7
COURTESYNIKE(2)

21
ally owned golf courses,” McCracken
says.
The merchandise will be funneled
back into the other initiatives: N7 sales
will help support indigenous communi-
ties and sport programming through the
N7 Fund. MCracken says this will be yet
another incentive for people to purchase
the merchandise: “The investment they
made in that product — it’s going to go
back to inspire kids to be active”
In their conversations about empower-
ing Native youth, McCracken and Begay
noticed that despite having golf courses
virtually in their backyards,
tribal members, and youth in
particular, rarely take advan-
tage of the opportunity. To
change that, Nike Golf, Nike
N7 and Begay searched far
and wide across Indian coun-
try for golf pros with deep
roots in Native-owned courses
who could be instrumental in
golf education and outreach to
Native youth and tribal com-
munities.
The N7 Golf profession-
als are Begay, Jason G. Mon-
toya, Issac Henry-Cano, Steve
Tooshkenig and Alexandrea
Schulte. [Pages 24-27] “They
are spearheading, or evange-
lizing, on the exciting oppor-
tunities for more Native youth
to golf,” McCracken says.
“These folks are putting together clinics
and programming so that Native youth
can come and use the golf courses that
are in their geographical area to maxi-
mize the opportunity for them to get out
and play. I think if you talk to any tribal
leader that has a connection to their
community course, they’re going to want
to get their tribal members, especially
their youth, out to utilize the facility.”
These Native and Aboriginal golf pros
work and reside in the communities.
“Many of these representatives that we
work with grew up on these reservations,
and that is one of the biggest assets you
can have when trying to make a differ-
ence,” Begay says. “It’s not like a church
or a third-party nonprofit or a govern-
ment agency trying to come in and make
an impact in the community where they
don’t have anything invested in it. We’re
one degree or no degree of separation
from the communities that we’re trying
to serve. And that, in and of itself, puts us
ahead of the game with regards to ideas
that can have a sustainable, long-term
impact.”
Like N7, the Notah Begay III Founda-
tion (NB3F) is committed to improving
Native health. NB3F invests in evidence-
based, community-driven and culturally
relevant programs that prevent child-
hood obesity and type 2 diabetes. Begay,
with the help of his brother Clint Begay
(p. 19), will be using his nonprofit to fur-
ther the mission of N7 Golf. Part of the
foundation’s national initiative to support
health and fitness among native youth is
NB3FIT, which involves a fit challenge
on November 13, 2016, to engage 10,000
young Natives to get physical in any way
from hiking to shooting hoops. Eventu-
ally, Begay envisions a golf component to
NB3FIT.
“I’d really like to see us start NB3Fit
Golf programs in reservations across the
country and get more kids into the sport,
because it’s a good sport predicated on
honor and tradition and sportsman-
ship,” Begay says. “Those are the build-
ing blocks of the Native belief system
— respect for our traditions, honoring
our communities. There are a lot of simi-
larities in how golf’s played and how tra-
ditional American Indians used to live.”
Begay will continue to serve youth in
Indian country with his foundation, by
serving as an N7 Golf ambassador and
by inspiring his fellow N7 Golf profes-
sionals to realize their power and lever-
age it. “We try to impress upon them the
fact that they can make an impact. They
can be an influencer, they can change a
child’s mindset about what’s possible. We
need our kids to start believing that they
can make their communities better, be-
cause they’re the ones responsible for the
change, ultimately.”0
“There are a lot
of similarities
in how golf’s
played and
how traditional
American Indians
used to live.”
Nike’s 2016 N7 Golf shoe.

The Nike
Swoosh Flies
Again
The company’s N7 program is giving
Native golfers a lift BY LEE ALLEN
T
he winged Nike is once again
swooshing over Indian Country
in the form of new Nike N7 shoes,
the latest version of the shoe designed
specifically for American Indians as a
way of promoting physical fitness.
The Air Native N7 for rezball/roundball
athletes was designed with a larger fit for
Indigenous feet, as well as a culturally-
specific look. This is the first time Nike
has designed a shoe for a specific race or
ethnicity — this one’s wider at the toe,
with a thicker sock liner for comfort and
fewer seams to cut down on irritation.
Since its introduction in 2007, the shoe
has been distributed solely to Natives via
tribal schools and wellness programs na-
tionwide, with shoe sale profits reinvested
in tribal health programs. “We’re aware of
health concerns facing Native Americans
and are stepping up our commitment to
elevate those health and wellness issues,”
said Sam McCracken, manager of Nike’s
Native American Business Program.
The Nike N7 Golf Shoe is aimed at
those Natives who tee it up and aim for
the green. It will be officially launched on
July 2nd.
Pre-launch versions were distributed
at the recent NABI Foundation golf
tournament, an increasingly-popular an-
nual golf classic at the Ak-Chin Southern
Dunes Golf Club in Maricopa, Arizona.
“Our tournament was awesome this year,”
said NABI founder GinaMarie Scarpa.
“After being greeted on arrival by some
familiar faces from the NBA’s Phoenix
Suns, the golfers all received goodie bags
with Nike shoes, hats, shirts, and gloves.”
Suns Vice President Ralph Marchetta,
who acted as Master of Ceremonies for
the tournament, was still wearing a pair
of the new Nikes
when he was inter-
viewed for this sto-
ry. “I love them,”
he said. “The most
comfortable golf
shoe I’ve ever had.
Everyone I talked to
at the NABI tournament was blown away
by how great the shoes are, how light they
felt. The look of the shoe and the color
combinations were awesome.”
Angelo Johnson is the Events Coordi-
nator at NABI who handles all the tour-
nament details, was also impressed by the
feedback about the new shoe. “Everybody
liked the design and the color waves were
different than what we’ve seen on regular
shoes, a unique look of mainly black with
turquoise and red. It looked kind of like a
basketball shoe — but with different de-
sign and different colors.”
Sara Andart was the regional Nike rep-
resentative who got to play Santa’s elf at
the NABI tournament handing out the
shoes, shirts, and other goodies. “First
and foremost, people were shocked they
were getting a pair of shoes that were not
even available on the open market. Many
immediately took off their old golf shoes
and put on the new Nikes before they
headed for the course.
“In addition to the product, we were on
hand to help make members of the tribal
communities who were present under-
stand what the N7 effort is all about. To
connect the dots with folks is meaning-
ful. We live with diversity and it’s always
great to understand where each of us is
coming from and N7 is a good segue to
get to know each other better. I left the
NABI tournament feeling proud of what
I do for a living and the amount of thanks
we received was overwhelming—and
touching.”
Nike executive McCracken, a Fort Peck
Sioux tribal member who initiated the
N7 concept in 2000, had a vision to sell
Nike products directly to Native America
in support of health promotion and dis-
ease prevention, a move that led to intro-
duction of the Nike Air Native N7.
N7 was inspired by Native American
wisdom surrounding the Seven Genera-
tions — the impact of decisions runs for
seven generations. According to N7 Fund
materials, “Everybody leaves a footprint,
they are inevitable. Our responsibility lies
in how it affects future generations. The
goal of N7 is to consider this footprint
and help Native American and Aborigi-
nal youth build on a proud history for a
triumphant future.” All proceeds from
the sale of product through Native com-
munity centers and tribes is given back
to youth sports and similar programs in
Native communities throughout North
NABI(2)
Nike N7 Golf shoe and N7 apparel at the 3rd Annual
NABI Golf Classic.
“Few things have the
power to bring people
together like sport.”

Summer 2016 INDIAN COUNTRY TODAY MEDIA NETWORK.COM
America.”
And according to Nike: “We put our
resources to work for the programs
we believe in. Since 2009, Nike’s N7
program has provided more than $2
million worth of support to Native
American and aboriginal youth sports
programs.”
“Few things have the power to bring
people together like sport,” McCracken
says, “and the N7 brand, with its spe-
cific palette, is resonating with Native
Communities. We have a unique fol-
lowing of consumers who look online
to get the latest and greatest N7 stuff
and now that word is starting to get out
that it will show up soon on social me-
dia, curiosity and inquiries are starting
to pick up with people asking where they
can get the new shoe. It’s exciting for me
to say that the only place you can buy this
product is at tribally-owned golf courses
across the United States [currently 67
tribal communities].”
The company has been working on a
golf shoe with guidance by Notah Begay
and testing sample product in California,
Arizona, New York, and New Mexico for
a couple of years. “The model we unveiled
in a slow rollout earlier this year is the first
version of an N7 golf shoe. We officially
unveil the latest innovation on July 2nd,”
says Nike Sales Manager Rick Gielow.
In addition to the comfort factors, the
vibrant colors and the warrior designs
make the shoe pop with its graphic ar-
row designs that point both forward and
backward, significant of the impact of
both the past and the future that will af-
fect the next seven generations.
“In our tests, it’s been a great connector
to reach a specific demographic athlete,”
adds Nike’s Andy Lowrey, who was in-
volved in the development process. “We’ll
align our golf category with the N7 brand
in general. It will
be a nice niche
that we haven’t of-
fered in the past.”
As the barrier-
breaking first Na-
tive American
PGA star, Notah
Begay agrees: “In
the early 2000s,
Nike sent an en-
tire team of shoe
experts to visit
reservations and
take foot mea-
surements from
people in those communities. Nike has
really put their best foot forward across
the board from Day One and I’m thank-
ful they chose to do this.” 0
N7 Golf Shoe rendering
Participants at the 3rd Annual NABI
Golf Classic lining up for N7 apparel.
The pro shop at the Indian Canyons
Golf Resort in Palm Springs, California is
part of the the Nike N7 Golf Initiative, which
provides tribally owned shops exclusives
on N7 golf merchandise.
INDIANCANYONSGOLFRESORT;NIKE

Get ‘Em While
They’re Green
Jason Montoya is a pro at introducing Native
American youth to golf BY SAM LASKARIS
When Jason Montoya was
young, other professional golf-
ers were better known but it was
Notah Begay III who provided
him with the most inspiration.
“Growing up, we had Tiger
(Woods) but Notah for me was the
standout and the role model,” he
says. “As a Native American, he was
the one who motivated me to take
my game to the next level and now,
as an adult, he’s been my motiva-
tion to teach kids something that
gets them outside besides baseball
and basketball.”
Montoya, who grew up on Santa
Ana Pueblo in New Mexico, be-
came a golf pro. The 30-year-old,
the first Pueblo Native American
to get his PGA membership, runs
The First Tee Program, teaching
golf to children at the Talking Stick
Golf Club near Scottsdale, Arizona.
The Talking Stick facil-
ity, which features 36 holes, is
owned by the Salt River Pima-
Maricopa Indian Community.
The youth program Montoya runs
at is part of The First Tee of Phoe-
nix program, which also operates at
13 other locations in the state, and
includes activities that promote
healthy choices, build character and
promote life-enhancing qualities.
Montoya started golfing at 8. He was
introduced to the sport when golf was
added to the curriculum of a junior
recreation program he was enrolled in.
By the time he was in the sixth grade, he
had started to get rather serious about the
game. And he knew then he was inter-
ested in a career in the golf industry.
After high school, he attended the
Professional Golf Management Program
at the University of Nevada-Las Vegas,
where he learned about the business side
of the sport, including how to run a golf
facility and got schooled in topics such as
merchandising, guest services and course
maintenance.
He graduated from the program and
became a PGA member in March of
2010.
Before Talking Stick, Montoya worked
at New York’s Turning Stone Golf Resort
and at three New Mexico facilities; Santa
Ana Golf Club, Twin Warriors Golf Club
and The Club at Las Campanas. He’s also
instructed for The Notah Begay III Foun-
dation, Santa Ana Golf Academy and The
First Tee of Central New Mexico.
With his current position at Talking
Stick, Montoya is introducing the sport
to some children even younger than he
was when he first learned about golf. A
Tiny Tee program he offers is for
those 4-6. “They’re awesome,” he
says of his most youthful swing-
ers.
Montoya also offers an entry-
level program for those aged
7-17, and instructs teens (13-
16) who are more advanced
than those just being intro-
duced to the sport’s nuances.
Montoya has a simple method
for his teachings. “Especially with
kids [it’s about] having fun with
it. We play games still using golf
techniques.”
Montoya tries to keep things
as simple as possible. He’ll pass
on the basics of the sport such as
how to grip clubs and how to set-
up and aim one’s body for shots.
“I try not to overload them with
information early on. As we go
on, I want them to take it more
seriously.”
Montoya will soon also be
helping out many other aspir-
ing players. That’s because he
has been chosen as one of the
Fab 5, the Native American pro
golfers who will be involved
in the N7 Golf Initiative be-
ing launched by Nike in July.
It will encourage Native children
to start playing the sport. Nike’s
upcoming venture will also give
Native-owned golf courses exclusive
rights to sell N7 golf merchandise. Pro-
ceeds from these sales will go back to Na-
tive American communities to promote
youth access to sport.
“To me, it’s a brand I can relate to and
believe in,” Montoya says. “It’s trying to
get the brand out there, grow the game
of golf not just for native youth but every-
body else who wants to know more about
golf.” 0
N7 Ambassador Jason G. Montoya
COURTESY(2)

A Swing Through the
Great Northwest
Isaac Henry-Cano is inspring youth in Seattle to get a grip BY SAM LASKARIS
I
saac Henry-Cano has certainly
changed his tune about golf.
Back when he was 13, Henry-
Cano was an aspiring baseball player.
When he broke his arm playing that
sport his doctor suggested taking up
golf as part of his rehabilitation. “He
told me maybe I should pick up golf
to improve my range of motion,” says
Henry-Cano, a member of Washing-
ton’s Tulalip Tribes. “But I said, No
way am I playing golf and wearing
those silly pants!”
He eventually changed his mind,
in part because his father had started
playing the sport.
“I got competitive. I wanted to
beat my dad. As soon as I did that, I
thought, Who else can I beat?”
Fast forward to today and Henry-
Cano is working as a golf pro. Since
February of last year he has been the
assistant golf professional at the Fair-
mont Golf and Country Club in Renton,
Washington.
Henry-Cano, 39, is also one of the Fab
Five – a group of Native golfers recently
chosen to be part of the N7 Golf Initia-
tive. This Nike venture, being launched
this summer, will in part encourage Na-
tive youth to take up golf. “To be able to
do this on a national level with Nike is
amazing,” says Henry-Cano, who had
done some local golf advisory work with
Nike the past two years.
After playing golf for his high school
team, Henry-Cano played for a couple of
years at the Green River Community Col-
lege in his home state before transferring
to Western Washington University for his
junior and senior years in 1998.
He turned pro in 2000, and for the next
five years competed on the Gateway Tour,
the Cascade Golf Tour, the Oregon Golf
Association Tour and the defunct tour
run by the First Nations Golf Association.
After he got married and starting a
family, Henry-Cano decided the best
way to make a living was not by travel-
ling week to week to pro events hoping
to earn a paycheck. He opted for some
steady money while continuing to work
in the golf industry.
After working for a Seattle-area golf
store for a few years, he accepted a golf pro
position at Seattle’s Interbay Golf Center.
“I’m using my skills in a different way,”
he says. “I’m still playing locally. And I’m
teaching and still working in the industry.”
Henry-Cano is also thrilled that he was
chosen to be part of the N7 Golf Initia-
tive. “It’s a way to give back to the com-
munity. And any involvement I can have
and help the Native youth with is great.”
Henry-Cano believes there is still
plenty of awareness and work to be done
in order to see more Native youth in the
sport. “It is starting to get bigger,” he says.
“The sport is growing. But it’s not a cheap
sport. You have to have the clubs. You
have to have the equipment. You have to
have the apparel. And you have to have a
place to play.
“One negative right now is that ev-
ery tribe has a gym and a baseball field
of some sort. But not every tribe has a
course or a driving range to introduce
people to the sport.”
In addition to his upcoming involve-
ment with the N7 Golf Initiative, Henry-
Cano is also part of the Golf In Schools
program, which teaches the sport to
elementary school children in western
Washington.
The aim of the Golf In Schools pro-
gram is to promote social, physical and
emotional development for children
through the sport 0
N7 Ambassador Isaac Henry-Cano

A Place to Turn
Steve Tooshkenig says golf is the fastest growing sport in Native communities,
and he’s pushing the surge BY SAM LASKARIS
I
t’s fitting that Steve Tooshkenig
was chosen to be involved with
the upcoming N7 Golf Initia-
tive. For the past several years he
has been introducing golf to Na-
tive youth — one of the main things
he’ll be doing once the Nike venture
launches in July.
Tooshkening, who has Ojibwe,
Delaware and Potawatomi ancestry,
has been selected as one of the Fab
5 — the small group of professional
Native golfers will be spokespeople
for the N7 Golf Initiative.
In addition to encouraging Na-
tive youngsters to take up golf, the
Nike program will allow Native-
owned golf courses to sell N7 golf
merchandise, with parts of the pro-
ceeds going back into Native youth
golf projects. “I think this is a step in
the right direction, building up the
grassroots programs,” Tooshkening
says. “I believe we can go out to the
different communities and support
our youth.”
He has been doing just that since
early 2009, when he founded his
company, ST Golf Inc. (ST being
his initials). Through this company,
Tooshkening goes into Native com-
munities and shows them how golf
can not only boost a player’s self-
esteem and bring wellness into the com-
munity but how the sport can also create
numerous social and economic opportu-
nities for those of all ages.
Although he believes more Natives are
becoming interested and involved in golf,
he says there is still plenty of awareness
work to be done. “I think it’s the fastest
growing sport in Aboriginal communi-
ties. Now First Nations are using golf as a
way to socialize. But we’re looking to see
what we can do to make their communi-
ties even better.”
Though he is not on staff there, for the
past seven years Tooshkening has taught
golf at the MontHill Golf and Country
Club, a Native-owned facility in Caledo-
nia, Ontario.
Tooshkening, 39, grew up on the Wal-
pole Island First Nation and is a member
of the Bkejwanong Territory in south-
western Ontario. He started playing golf
at the age of six. His golf skills eventually
landed him on the golf team at St. Clair
County Community College in Port Hu-
ron, Michigan.
After completing the two-year Crimi-
nal Justice program there, Tooshkening
turned pro. He competed in a few
Canadian Tour events as well as
some tournaments on the tour
organized by the defunct First
Nations Golf Association, which
attracted many of the top Native
players.
While playing in some profes-
sional events, most of Tooshken-
ing’s time then was focussed on
boosting the pro golf career of his
younger sister Cheryl Mitchell,
serving as an agent for his sister,
managing her contract negotia-
tions as well as her pro golf ap-
pearances and public relations.
Mitchell, who retired a couple
of years ago, spent the majority
of her pro career on the Symetra
Tour, which is a step below the
prestigious LPGA Tour.
Mitchell now assists her broth-
er in running ST Golf Inc.
Through ST Golf Inc., Mitch-
ell and Tooshkening are now
hoping to assist budding Native
teen golfers on their quest to play
at the collegiate level. “When we
were younger we didn’t know
where to turn to,” Tooshkening
says of the days he and his sister
were looking to extend their golf
careers beyond high school.
Helping others achieve their goals now
is a large part of ST Golf Inc.’s mission.
Since March of 2015, Tooshkening
has also served as a regional coordinator
for the Aboriginal Sport and Wellness
Council of Ontario (ASWCO). His duties
include working with First Nations com-
munities to build grassroots programs for
various sports.
One of ASWCO’s upcoming events is
the Ontario Aboriginal Summer Games
in July. The golf portion of these Games
will be staged at the MontHill Golf and
Country Club. 0
N7 Ambassador Steve Tooshkenig
PATRICKWILBURPHOTOGRAPHY;COURTESY

N7 Ambassador Alexandrea Schulte
A Tip with Heart
Alexandrea Schulte wants kids to love life ... and golf BY TISH LEIZENS
L
ife these days for Alexandrea
Schulte is about winning golf tour-
naments, giving back to the youth,
and supporting a joint Native and Nike
initiative to promote the sport. “I just do
my best to help the golf line and to al-
ways give back to the youth as much as
possible,” she says. ”I have the support of
N7 and Nike when it comes to my golf
career and that I’m very happy with.”
The golf line Schulte refers to is the
Nike N7 merchandise that Native-owned
golf courses will have the opportunity to
sell exclusively. Nike will set aside a por-
tion of the proceeds to spur Native young
golfers interest to play on the greens in
their neighborhood.
Schulte said she had a taste of the ex-
citement brought about by the N7 mer-
chandise when she participated in the
3rd Annual NABI Foundation Golf Clas-
sic at the Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Golf
Club, in Maricopa, Arizona in early May.
A promotional poster touted Nike N7
golf gift bags as prizes to be handed to
first to third placed winners. In addition,
each participating golfer was offered a
pair of the new N7 golf shoes. “It was a
big hit,” she says. “There is no better feel-
ing than competing with new gear.”
The new Nike N7 shoes are not on sale
until July 1, when the merchandise will
be launched.
Schulte said she was happy to see the
coming together of the Native commu-
nity.
Between now and the end of the year,
Schulte said she will be busy sharing her
story, going to golf tournaments and
conferences and giving golf clinics.
“I’m getting back into training, com-
peting in the next couple of weeks, doing
more for the Ak-Chin community and
trying to be in the best shape of my life.”
She hopes all the training—which
includes a goal of running 100 miles
a month and a healthy diet, according
to her Facebook page—and competing
leads to getting her Ladies Professional
Golf Association (LPGA) card in Decem-
ber.
Among the golf events she is scheduled
to play are the Arizona Women’s Open in
November; The Cactus Tour, from June
to November; and the Symetra Tour,
which dates she has yet to finalize.
“My goal is to win tournaments,” says
Schulte. And as she wins tournaments,
she hopes to inspire the youth. “We need
more Native athletes. We need to give
them the opportunity to go to college.”
Some 14 years ago, at the age of 14,
Schulte was named by the American Ju-
nior Golf Association as one of the Top
50 teenage players in the country. In
2012, when the Ak-Chin tribe selected
her to be the face of the sport and their
own Southern Dunes Golf Course,
Tribal Chairman Louise J. Manuel, Jr.
spoke highly of Schulte, declaring that
she, “represents the core values of our
youth in the Native American commu-
nity.” 0

The Ultimate Swing Tip
Where the Native pros love to play
when they’re not working
North and south, east and west, forest or desert — these Native courses are
the personal favorites of some of the top duffers in Indian Country
Notah Begay III
Inn of theMountain Gods / Mescalero, NM
This course will always have a special place
in my heart for a number of reasons. Golf
brought my family together every May
for the annual Wendell Chino golf classic
there. My brother Clint and I competed
in this Native event since the age of 10 and
have loved the course ever since. It’s a Ted
Robinson classic design that winds its way through the canyons
and meadows of the Sierra Blanca mountains. To this day, I love
to visit this golf course as it reminds me of where my golf career
got started. I also have a deep admiration for former President
of the Mescalero Apache Nation, Wendell Chino, the innovator
who combined high-stakes bingo, golf and hotel into the modern
Native American destination resort.
Hole #3, Walleye, at The Wilderness at Fortune Bay, Lake Vermillion, MN. COURTESY(21)

Hole #14, from behind the green, at the Sandia Golf Club in Albuquerque, NM.
Atunyote at Turning Stone Resort /
Verona, NY
For six years, the Atunyote course at Turning Stone resort
hosted the PGA tour’s Turning Stone resort invitational. [PGA
stars] Dustin Johnson and Matt Kuchar are past champions of
the event and they were both impressed by the entire facility.
Players won’t find a more finely manicured golf course in the
country. The first year Tiger Woods played the Atunyote course
during the NB3 Foundation Challenge he called the greens,
“some of the finest putting surfaces” he’d ever played.
Ak-Chin Southern Dunes / Maricopa, AZ
Ak-Chin provides a unique links golf experience in the middle
of Arizona. This course has been a regular host to the PGA tour
qualifying tournament and when the greens are in “tournament
condition,” they are some of the fastest in the country. My friend
and colleague Fred Couples did a wonderful job of designing
holes that require creativity and precision.
The Wilderness at Fortune Bay /
Lake Vermillion, MN
This course in northern Minnesota cuts its way through some of
the most beautiful forest in the region and provides a variety of
tee boxes in order to accommodate all golfers. The Jeff Brauer
design incorporates granite rock outcroppings, forest and lakes
into a layout that provides a true “getaway” experience. It’s a
remote destination, but definitely worth it!
Yocha Dehe Golf Club / Brooks, CA
Eagle Eye is the name of the first hole and it grabs your attention
immediately with an intimidating tee shot from an elevated tee
that measures over 450 yards. Located only a couple of hours
north of my alma mater, Stanford University, Yocha Dehe gives
players a chance to take in the ambience of the beautiful rolling
hills of northern California. And, for those golfers that like to
mix fine American wines with golf, the vineyards of Napa Valley
are just over an hour away.
Lake of the Isles, North South /
Mashantucket, CT
The beautiful terrain of Connecticut frames the 36 holes of
world-class golf offered by the Foxwoods resort at The Lake of
the Isles golf facility. Exceptional views and challenging holes
make these courses some of the most engaging in the northeast.
Lakes, tall trees and rock features woven into the design create
an experience that puts your game to the test.
Journey at Pechanga / Temecula, CA
Journey at Pechanga is a wonderful sanctuary set amidst the
mature live oaks and meandering hills of the Temecula Valley.
The variety in hole designs keep players engaged while they try
to navigate the elevation changes and the unique setting of this
southern California gem. Enjoy the ideal weather and impec-
cable condition of this wonderful course built by the Pechanga
Band of Luiseno Indians.
Sandia Golf Club / Albuquerque, NM
It’s very easy to be distracted by the overarching presence of the
Sandia mountains that stand as the backdrop for this 18-hole
venue. Views of the entire Rio Grande river valley and Sandia
mountains grab your attention while enjoying the challenge of
this high desert layout. Players that venture out in the early
morning will enjoy the sun as it rises over the mountain top
and likely avoid the winds that make club selection difficult. Be
sure to adjust your yardages for the mile-high elevation — it will
boost your drives an extra 15-25 yards.

Jason G. Montoya
Kaluhyat at
Turning Stone
Golf Resort /
Verona, NY
This course is one
of the longest in the
State of New York,
and tight fairways
and many trees and
streams come into
play.
Santa Ana Golf Club /
Santa Ana Pueblo, NM
It’s near the Rio Grande with amazing views
of the Sandia Mountains. This is where my
heart calls home. Learning the game of golf
here during summer golf camps, this became
my home. Of the 27 holes of golf, the Tamaya
Nine is my favorite; it tests you off the tee and
on the greens, The Cheena Nine is great for a
closing back nine when playing competitive
golf and for a fun round.
Paiute Golf Resort /
Las Vegas, NV
WOLF (Kwetoo-Unuv) is one of three courses
on the Paiute land just north of Las Vegas. At-
tending the University of Las Vegas, Nevada
I had the opportunity to play and practice at
this great facility. The WOLF course is a great
layout and has an island green on the closing
back nine.
Talking Stick
Golf Club /
Scottsdale, AZ
Owned by the Salt River Pima
Maricopa Indian Community,
this course has meaning to me
as a person and for my career.
Members of the community have
welcomed me and I feel a part of
the community. Talking Stick
offers a variety of golf programs
that promote golf to Native
American families, also offer-
ing a Native American Rate for
Green Fees. The North Course
is a links-style course with wide
fairways and large greens, South
Course is a park-style course
with many lakes and creeks.
The Kaluhyat (Oneida for ‘the other side of the sky’) Golf Course at the Turning Stone Resort and Casino, in Verona, NY.
The par 3 Hole #15 on the Wolf Course, at the Las Vegas Paiute Golf Resort, Las Vegas, NV.
The Santa Ana Golf Club in
Santa Ana Pueblo NM.

Alexandrea Schulte
(not a pro… yet)
Circling Raven Golf Club /
Worley, ID
I have been playing there since 2012.
More than anything, it’s the com-
munity, the staff and how well they
maintain it every day. The scenery
is breathtaking. I could not believe
how spread out the course is. There
is so much wildlife. Don’t get ahead
of yourself on hole # 8.
Salish Cliffs Golf Club / Shelton, WA
It is beautiful out there! I will move there. I like the design
and how the course functions all the way round. The second
you arrive, the staff makes you feel welcome. For me, that
goes a long way. I remember #17, a downhill par-3. I hit a
great shot but you really have to think about your shot.
Eagle Creek Golf Club / Joplin, MO
The golf course’s landscape and the beautiful views the land has
to offer are what make this course most enjoyable. One of my
favorite courses to play, and great hospitality in the pro shop.
The par 5 Hole #12 at the Circling Raven Golf Club, Worley, ID.
The Bald Eagle Course at the Eagle Creek Golf Club in Joplin, MO.
Derek Gutierrez,
Director, Santa Ana Golf Club
Shenendoah Atunyote at
Turning Stone Resort / Verona, NY
The Atunyote course is a five out
of five stars. Tom Fazio is likely my
favorite golf course architect and
this is by
far his best
in my book.
More chal-
l e n g i n g
than the
S h e n e n -
doah track, which I also love, this
course offers several blind shots
and requires accuracy throughout.
Always in exceptional condition,
the greens are perfect every time.
Wonderful parkland style design
in a tranquil setting on the Oneida
Indian Nation.
Twin Warriors Golf Club /
Santa Ana Pueblo, NM
I was part of the team that opened Twin Warriors in 2001 and
was promoted to head golf professional in 2004, my first head
professional position. Those two items alone make this my fa-
vorite. Additional reason, its location on the Pueblo of Santa
Ana! Routed in and around 20-plus cultural sites of previous
habitation and activity, this is
a very special place that over-
looks the Rio Grande and San-
dia Mountains. A true gem
by golf course designer Gary
Panks who involved several of
the Pueblo’s tribal member’s
input when routing the golf
course. Always a challenging
but fair test of golf. Layout and
conditions here are worthy of
hosting a PGA or LPGA tour
event. In exceptional condition
year-round with amazing views
in all directions.
The Signature Hole Par 3 Hole #4 at the Twin Warriors
Golf Club in Santa Ana Pueblo, NM.

J.C. Wright
Spotted Tail Golf Club /
Rosebud, SD
This place will always hold a special
place in my heart since this is where it
all began for me, on my home reserva-
tion. It is in the heart of Rosebud Sioux
Tribe, definitely a must-play when vis-
iting the area. Owned by the Rosebud
Sioux Tribe, it is operated by tribal vol-
unteers. It was not designed by any big
name. No construction. The course was Just laid out as it lies.
Cochiti Golf Club / Cochiti Lake, NM
Finding it is like finding a needle in a haystack, but it’s a great
golf course. A must-play when visiting the area.
The Country Club at Soboba Springs /
San Jacinto, CA
Great layout. It hosted a Nationwide Tour Championship in
2004.
Wildhorse Golf Course / Pendelton, OR
It plays host to an Annual Indian Tournament that brings folks
from all over the Western U.S. Owned by the Umatilla Indian
Community.
An aerial shot of the Wildhorse Golf Course in Pend
Sewailo Golf Club / Tucson, AZ
The best golf course in the Tucson area. Designed by my good
friend Notah Begay III, this is a lengthy test on an exceptional
playing surface. The green speeds can be challenging, with very
playable roughs. Numerous water hazards and few forced car-
ries offer a great balance for the recreational and skilled player
alike. This layout is worthy of hosting a PGA or LPGA Tour.
Firekeeper Golf Course / Mayetta, KS
Another Notah Begay III design. Located on the Prairie Band
Potawatomi Nation, this layout is exceptionally maintained
with great definition between fairways and rough. This holds
true around the greens. The prairie native grasses can be quite
challenging. On these large greens, a two-putt is never a given.
There is nothing contrived here and it feels like Firekeeper has
been there forever.
The Cochiti Golf Club in Cochiti Lake, NM
Approaching the green on Hole #17 at the Sewailo Golf Club at
Casino Del Sol Resort in Tucson, AZ.

Steve W. Tooshkenig
Monthill Golf Course / Mohawk Territory;
Ontario, Canada
This has 27 holes of challenging golf,
and has playability for golfers of all
calibres. The holes are surrounded by
water and trees. The course is always in
excellent condition. Monthill will host
the Ontario Aboriginal Summer Games
2016 hosted by Aboriginal Sports
Wellness Council of Ontario
Indian Hills Golf Club / Kettle Stoney Point
First Nation; Ontario, Canada
Some of the most challenging holes in all of Ontario. This
course will test your shot-making ability. Tree-lined fairways
make each tee shot challenging and you won’t find any faster
greens in the area. This is a must-play, a golf course that keeps
getting better and better every year.
We-Ko-Pa Golf Club /
Fort McDowell, AZ
One of the most beautiful golf
courses in Arizona. Every tee shot
is breathtaking, and every view
is surreal. When your golfing at
We-Ko-Pa you feel a peace and
a presence that only can be felt
while walking this well-manicured
course. You have elevated tee shot,
elevated greens, and the course is
always in excellent condition.
Thornberry Creek at Oneida / Oneida, WI
This was recently purchased
and operated by the Oneida
Tribe of Wisconsin. It will host
a 2017 LPGA event. It’s a chal-
lenging course with all the bells
and whistles. With water, sand
and trees, your game will be
tested but your memory of the
golf course will keep bringing
you back for more. Thornberry
Creek at Oneida is maturing
and blossoming into some-
thing special for the LPGA to
play.
Issac Henry-Cano
Barona Creek
Golf Club /
Lakeside, CA
Barona has views
of the mountains
and small wan-
dering creeks that
surround you. The
greens are sneaky
with false fronts and gapping sand traps
wait to test your game.
White Horse
Golf Club /
Suquamish,
WA
White Horse GC has
a fantastic practice
facility with grass
tees and numerous
targets to hit to, and
is extremely tough
from the back tees.
The par 5 Hole #1 at the Barona Creek Golf Club in Lakeside, CA
Thornberry Cree eida_Oneida WI
The par 3 Hole #9 at the Indian Hills Golf Club in Ontario Canada

34 NATIVE GOLF DIRECTORY
COURTESY(14)
The 2016 Indian Country
Today Media Network
Native Golf Directory
There are more than 75 Native-owned golf courses across the United States, with tribes
purchasing and reviving more tracks each year. From the Sonoran Desert of Arizona
to the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina to rolling hills overlooking the Pacific
Ocean, tribal courses are an integral part of Indian country’s stunning and diverse land-
scape. Largely devoid of residential and commercial development, Native courses often
allow players to fully immerse themselves in nature and wildlife. Next time you are
looking for a tee time, think about reaching out to one of these courses.
ARIZONA
Ak-Chin Southern Dunes
Golf Club
Ak-Chin Indian Community
Maricopa, AZ
(480) 367-8949
Akchinsoutherndunes.com
The only true links-style course in the
Arizona desert valley, the Maricopa-
based Southern Dunes Golf Club offers a
stunning 360-degree panorama of sweep-
ing sand dunes against crisp blue skies.
Another draw is the 8,000-square-foot
clubhouse, designed in the rustic, yet
sophisticated fashion of a classic South-
western ranch home. Among Ak-Chin
Southern Dunes Golf Club’s accolades
are: 2016 National Golf Course of the
Year west region winner by the National
Golf Course Owners Association, a Top
100 Resort Course (#60) by Golfweek,
Best Courses You Can Play in Arizo-
na (#5) by Golfweek, and Top Casino
Course (#13) by Golfweek.
Apache Stronghold Golf Club
San Carlos Apache Tribe
San Carlos, AZ
(800) 272-2438 (toll free)
(928) 475-4653
apache-gold-casino.com/golf
Designed by minimalist master Tom
Doak, the Apache Stronghold Golf
course is spread out over high desert ter-
rain, with a 3,200-foot elevation and two
mammoth par-5s that are over 600 yards
long. Sage and mesquite trees cover the
hills that rise above many of the fairways,
and the par-3 14th hole is atop a 90-foot
ridge. The 19th hole is at the Apache Leg-
ends BBQ in the Pavilion, as good a place
as any to doctor your scorecard.
Cocopah RV Golf Resort
Cocopah Indian Tribe
6800 S Strand Avenue
Yuma, AZ
(800) 537-7901 (toll free)
(928) 343-9300
Cocopahrv.com
On the banks of the Colorado River,
the Cocopah RV Golf Resort is billed
as “300 acres of adult playground.” The
Cocopah Indian Tribe’s 18-hole, par 73
course offers three lake holes and is open
year-round. To boot, the RV camp earned
the highest rating from Woodall’s Camp-
ground Directory for its amenities, ser-
vices and accommodations.
Huukan Golf Club
Fort Mojave Indian Tribe
5835 Desert Lakes Dr.
Fort Mohave, AZ
(928) 768-1000
mojavegolf.com
The Fort Mojave Indian Tribe is more
than mid-way through a five-year reno-
vation of Huukan’s layout. It began with
the name; Huukan translates to “stick
hitting a ball” in the Mojave language.
That simplicity is reflected in the courses
streamlined, player-friendly holes — that
is, if you keep the ball on the fairways
and out of the trees. Huukan also boasts
a clubhouse with a pro shop and restau-
rant/bar.
Sewailo Golf Club
Pascua Yaqui Tribe
5655 West Valencia Road
Tucson, AZ
(520) 838-6623
casinodelsolresort.com/sewailogolfclub
Sewailo, meaning “flower world,” mix-
es the native landscape with trickling
streams and crystal lakes. The challeng-
ing course measures 7,400 yards, but
has five different tee boxes to test play-
ers of all abilities, and nearly 70 bunkers,
some described as “deep and perilous.”
The premier Tucson golf course, which
opened in 2013, is widely regarded as
one of the finest golfer playgrounds in
the state. Daytime competition can lead
to nighttime entertainment at the nearby
Casino del Sol Resort’s casino and Ansel-
mo Valencia Tori Amphitheater, a 5,000-
seat open-air concert venue that regularly
showcases big name musicians such as
Tim McGraw and Santana.

NATIVE GOLF DIRECTORY 35
Summer 2016 INDIAN COUNTRY TODAY MEDIA NETWORK.COM
The Talking Stick Golf Club, Gila River Indian Community, Scottsdale, AZ
Sewailo came in at #1 on Golf Advisor’s
top-rated course list in Arizona for 2015,
and #6 on its list of Top 50 U.S. courses
in 2015.
Talking Stick Golf Club
Salt River Pima-Maricopa
Indian Community
9998 E. Indian Bend Road
Scottsdale, AZ
(480) 860-2221
Talkingstickgolfclub.com
Bordered by the majestic Camelback
Mountain, McDowell Mountains and
Pinnacle Peak, Mother Nature provides
a welcome distraction at Talking Stick
Golf Club’s gorgeous 36-hole, walking-
friendly course. Designed by the team of
Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw in 1998, it
takes advantage of the desert landscape
with steep bunkers that often frame the
greens.
The links-style north course and its
sister, the tree-lined south course, deliver
plenty of variety. Even in Arizona’s fierce-
ly competitive market, Golfweek maga-
zine rated Talking Stick the #15 course in
the state in 2016. The club also held the
title of #1 public course in Golfweek’s “Ar-
izona Top 100 Resort Courses” for three
consecutive years: 2012, 2013 and 2014.
Toka Sticks Golf Club
Gila River Indian Community
6910 E. Williams Field Road
Mesa, AZ
(480) 988-9405
Tokasticksgolf.com
The challenge of the Gila River Indian
Community’s 18-hole, par-72 public
course in Mesa is navigating around the
trunks and overhanging branches of ma-
ture eucalyptus, mesquite, palm and palo
verde trees. The towering trees guard
the corners of several dogleg fairways,
and the small, elevated greens are fast
and true. Water comes into play on four
holes, including two par-3 greens that
are partially surrounded and require an
accurate tee shot. Toka Sticks golf course
was originally designed by the Army
Corps of Engineers in the early 1950s as
a recreational facility for personnel sta-
tioned at Williams Air Force Base.
We-Ko-Pa Golf Club
Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation
18200 East TohVee Circle
Fort McDowell, AZ
(480) 836-9000
wekopa.com
With stunning views of the McDowell
Mountains, Red Mountain, Four Peaks
and the Superstitions, We-Ko-Pa Golf
Club’s two 18-hole daily fee courses,
Cholla and Saguaro, sit on Fort McDow-
ell Yavapai Nation land that will never
be tainted by commercial development.
Golfweek honored We-Ko-Pa on its Best
Resort Courses list for 2016. Designed
by golf course veterans Bill Coore, Ben
Crenshaw and Scott Miller, the courses
cater to seasoned pros and recreational
golfers. Post-round, players often gather
at the 10,000-square-foot clubhouse with
scenic indoor and outdoor dining, golf
shop and lounge areas.
Whirlwind Golf Club
Gila River Indian Community
5692 W. North Loop Road
Chandler, AZ
(480) 940-1500
whirlwindgolf.com
With two 18-hole courses, the Gary
Panks-designed Whirlwind Golf Club of-
fers a unique golfing experience deep in
unspoiled desert. Indigenous plant life —
mesquite, saguaro, palo verde, and cotton-
wood — grow abundantly, reminiscent
of the vegetation when the Gila River still
flowed on the reservation. Despite being
just 11 miles from the Phoenix Sky Har-
bor Airport, the serene destination course
feels far from civilization.
CALIFORNIA
Barona Creek Golf Club
Barona Band of
Mission Indians
1932 Wildcat Canyon Road
Lakeside, CA
(888) 722-7662 (toll free)
(619) 387-7018
barona.com/resort/golf
Blending beautifully with San Diego’s
rolling foothills, Barona Creek Golf Club
is one of California’s most inviting golf
courses. GolfWeek has named Barona
Creek the 6th Best Casino Course in the
U.S., the 4th Best Course you can play
in California, and the 3rd Best Resort
Course in California. It ranked as one
of California’s top courses with a score
of 74.4, and scored the Environmental
Green Star Award in 2011. Barona Creek

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