The four-time PGA TOUR winner, broadcaster and NB3 Foundation founder will receive one of golf's most respected honors during the 2026 TOUR Championship.
July 22, 2026 — GOLFJOY proudly congratulates ambassador and partner Notah Begay III on being named the 2026 recipient of the PGA TOUR’s Payne Stewart Award presented by Southern Company.
Presented annually, the Payne Stewart Award recognizes a professional golfer who best represents the values of character, charity and sportsmanship that defined Stewart’s life and legacy.
Unlike honors determined by tournament victories or season-long performance, the award recognizes the broader impact a golfer has made through service, leadership and a commitment to others.
Begay will be honored on Tuesday, August 25, at the Payne Stewart Award Ceremony held in conjunction with the 2026 TOUR Championship in Atlanta. The ceremony will be televised on Golf Channel.
As the 29th recipient of the award, Begay joins a distinguished group that includes some of the most respected figures in golf history, including Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Byron Nelson, Gary Player, Tom Watson, Ernie Els and Bernhard Langer.
A Career Defined by Performance and Purpose
Begay earned four PGA TOUR victories during his professional playing career, winning twice in 1999 and twice in 2000.
Before turning professional, he was a First-Team All-American at Stanford University and helped the Cardinal capture the 1994 NCAA Championship.
Following his playing career, Begay became one of golf’s most respected television voices. He began working with Golf Channel in 2010 and later joined NBC Sports, contributing to coverage of many of the game’s most important championships and events.
His influence, however, extends well beyond competition and broadcasting.
In 2005, Begay founded the Notah Begay III Foundation, now known as the NB3 Foundation, to address health and wellness challenges affecting Native American children and their communities.
Through culturally centered programs focused on physical activity, healthy nutrition, youth development and cultural connection, the Foundation has reached more than 80,000 Native American youth and family members across the United States.
As part of the Payne Stewart Award’s $500,000 charitable grant, Begay selected the NB3 Foundation to receive $200,000 and the Albuquerque Community Foundation to receive $100,000. The remaining $200,000 will support the Stewart Family Foundation.
The charitable impact connected to the award reflects what has defined Begay’s career: using the platform provided by golf to create opportunities, strengthen communities and support future generations.
A Partnership Grounded in Shared Values
For GOLFJOY, Begay’s selection carries special meaning.
Notah is more than an accomplished PGA TOUR player and respected broadcaster. He is a trusted ambassador and partner whose character, leadership and dedication to growing the game reflect the values GOLFJOY is proud to support.
“Notah Begay III represents the very best of golf - not only through what he accomplished as a player, but through the way he continues to serve the game and the communities around him." - Christian Anderson, GOLFJOY Business Development Manager.
“The Payne Stewart Award is an extraordinary and well-deserved recognition of his character, generosity and lasting impact. We are honored to stand alongside Notah as a partner and ambassador, and we could not be prouder to celebrate this achievement with him.” - Larry Wang, GOLFJOY Founder and Global CEO.
GOLFJOY’s relationship with Begay also extends through its partnership with the Notah Begay III Junior Golf National Championship, where GOLFJOY serves as the exclusive launch monitor partner.
The championship provides junior golfers from across the United States and internationally with an opportunity to compete at a national level, gain valuable exposure and continue developing their games.
Through the partnership, GOLFJOY helps provide players and families with greater access to modern performance technology and the information needed to better understand their swings, ball flights and overall development.
The relationship reflects a shared belief that young golfers deserve access to meaningful competitive opportunities, reliable performance information and the tools needed to reach their potential.
Celebrating an Impact That Extends Beyond Golf
The Payne Stewart Award is one of the few honors in professional golf that looks beyond scores, victories and career statistics.
It recognizes how a golfer carries himself, how he treats others and how he uses his influence to make a difference.
Throughout every stage of his career - as a PGA TOUR winner, broadcaster, mentor, foundation leader and advocate for Native American communities - Begay has demonstrated those qualities.
GOLFJOY congratulates Notah Begay III on this historic and well-earned recognition and looks forward to continuing a partnership built around service, opportunity and a shared commitment to the future of golf.
About Notah Begay III
Notah Begay III is a four-time PGA TOUR winner, former Stanford University All-American and respected golf broadcaster.
He currently serves as an analyst for Golf Channel and contributes to NBC Sports’ coverage of major professional golf events.
Begay founded the NB3 Foundation in 2005 to improve the health and well-being of Native American children and communities through physical activity, healthy nutrition, youth development and cultural connection.
He is also the namesake and founder of the Notah Begay III Junior Golf National Championship, which provides competitive and developmental opportunities for junior golfers.
About GOLFJOY
GOLFJOY is a global golf technology company specializing in launch monitors, golf simulator systems and immersive training solutions.
By combining high-speed camera technology, advanced performance data, simulation software and flexible installation solutions, GOLFJOY creates accurate and engaging golf experiences for players, coaches, homes and commercial facilities worldwide.
Through its technology and partnerships across junior golf, professional competition and player development, GOLFJOY is committed to making golf more accessible, measurable and enjoyable for players at every level.
