Notah Begay III, a golf broadcaster and founder of the NB3 Foundation, expressed his enthusiasm for returning the second NB3 Match Play to New Mexico during an interview on ESPN Radio 101.7 TEAM talk. He highlighted his collaboration with NBC's Mike Tirico, stating, "It kind of gave me a good indication that I really had moved myself into a position where I could be a true voice in the game."
"it kind of gave me a good indication that I really had moved myself into a position where I could be a true voice in the game," said Begay III, golf broadcaster and former American golfer. "I love college golf. I love college sports as a whole, but I love New Mexico the most. I'm really proud to have Aidan Kraft come back."
During the interview, Begay reflected on broadcasting the 2024 U.S. Open and his connection to New Mexico as he prepares for the NB3 Match Play College event. He praised this year's U.S. Open for its rigorous challenge, citing J.J. Spaun’s victory as an example: "It was truly a thorough examination from the tee, the iron game, the short game, the putting, and also the mental strength and perseverance."
According to NBC 7 San Diego, J.J. Spaun's journey from a walk-on at San Diego State University (SDSU) to U.S. Open champion highlights collegiate golf development's impact. Spaun earned two-time All-American honors and Mountain West Player of the Year before turning professional and winning his first major.
The 2nd Annual NB3 Collegiate Matchplay will be hosted by Begay and the Pueblo of Santa Ana at Twin Warriors Golf Club in New Mexico on October 7–8, 2025. The event will feature top collegiate golf teams such as University of New Mexico, New Mexico State University, UNLV (University of Nevada Las Vegas), Oregon University, Texas A&M University, and University of Arizona in a round-robin format broadcast live on Golf Channel.
Begay is one of the few Native American professionals in golf with Navajo and Pueblo ancestry. After retiring from professional play, he attended Stanford University before joining NBC Sports and Golf Channel as an analyst in 2013.
