09/02/2026
2026 Payne Stewart Award Recipient Notah Begay III Joins Turtleback Mountain Golf & Resort. Four-time PGA TOUR winner and longtime NBC Sports and Golf Channel analyst named Founding Ambassador & Strategic Advisor ahead of 2026 New Mexico Open
ELEPHANT BUTTE, N.M. (Sept. 2, 2026) — One week after receiving the PGA TOUR’s 2026 Payne Stewart Award, four-time PGA TOUR winner Notah Begay III has joined Turtleback Mountain Golf & Resort as its Founding Ambassador & Strategic Advisor.
The Albuquerque native and longtime NBC Sports and Golf Channel analyst will advise Turtleback Mountain Golf & Resort leadership on golf, the guest experience and the long-term direction of the New Mexico golf and resort destination. As Founding Ambassador & Strategic Advisor, Begay will participate in selected golf and resort activities, strategic discussions, major events and media initiatives.
Turtleback Mountain Golf & Resort is the only New Mexico golf course, resort, club or golf-community development Begay represents as an ambassador and spokesperson.
Begay will return to Turtleback Mountain Golf & Resort Sept. 14-16 for the New Mexico Open Golf Championship Presented by New Mexico True, where Begay and acclaimed golf broadcaster Ryan Burr will host three days of live tournament coverage.
“I’ve spent most of my life at some of the best golf resorts in the world, and having the opportunity to bring that experience back home to New Mexico is important to me,” Begay said. “Turtleback Mountain Golf & Resort is entering an exciting new chapter, and I believe strongly in the vision James and his team are bringing to life. I’m proud to be part of this effort and look forward to helping create a special destination here in New Mexico - one that golfers, visitors and the local community can enjoy and take pride in for years to come.”
Begay received the Payne Stewart Award on Aug. 25 during TOUR Championship week in Atlanta. The annual PGA TOUR award recognizes a professional golfer who best exemplifies Stewart’s values of character, charitable efforts and sportsmanship.
Born and raised in Albuquerque, Begay has maintained close ties to New Mexico throughout his career. In ad
