M a r c o p , Ar z o n a V olu e X X III Issue 6 August 16 - September 5, 2019 Notah Begay III holds clinics at Southern Dunes Story and photos by C. Picciuolo Four-time PGA Tour winner “It was really nice, I never and current NBC Sports and thought I would meet him. Golf Channel commentator He talked to me about having Notah Begay III hosted two the ball lined up between my free one-hour golf clinics on legs and he helped me fi x Saturday, August 10 at Ak- my swing by telling me to Chin Southern Dunes Golf straighten my legs out and Club. keep them close,” said Zach Garcia, one of the youths The fi rst clinic started at am, who benefi ted from Begay’s addressing children aged 16 lessons. and under about body size, posture and grip. Begay told Pate Justin was also on hand a story about how he once to receive pointers from had the nickname “T-Rex” Begay, and she told the because his arms are shorter Runner, “I was really excited for a golf player. No doubt, to meet Notah because he he overcame that and has had is Navajo and I am Navajo an exceptionally successful and I really wanted to learn career. from him (about) the things I need to practice on. I was PGA pro and TV analyst Notah Begay shows off his chip shot skills as youth gather around and soak up the After his introduction, the really happy that he came to nman dn he fi hal he l ln a hn hen ne l l youth were separated into Southern Dunes Golf Club groups and Begay went down because I always practice the line and spent time with here and I never thought a clinic for adults, who eagerly led the golf team to a National have played on the PGA Tour presented to them and I think each kid, showing pointers famous golfer would come awaited his presence to help Championship and roomed has given him special insight that Chairman Miguel and on stance and swing while to this course, so I was really them with their game. with Tiger Woods. to Native communities and the Council recognized that they practiced driving the surprised and happy to meet the sport of golf. golf is an opportunity and golf balls. him.” He talked to the group Overall, the event was a I’ve known that for a long about his time at Stanford success and Begay thanked “I think that one of the time, golf has given me so Next, groups were switched Begay took a break in the University, where he earned Southern Dunes staff for biggest challenges for Tribal much,” said Begay. up and Begay showed the shade to have a few media a degree in Economics in running a smooth event. His leaders across Indian Country children how to putt and chip interviews and when that was addition to earning All- experience as the only full- is to recognize legitimate Ak-Chin Chairman Robert from the fringe. over, he repeated the same American honors three times, blooded Native American to opportunities when they’re Miguel was present for Notah Begay continues to page 7 Family still healing after Council Member Lisa 4th memorial for Luis and Garcia elected Chair of Mercedes Garcia Quail Run Story and photos by R. Peters Ak-Chin Tribal Council In January of 2013, the Ak- Member Lisa Garcia was Chin Community partnered elected as Chairperson on the with Quail Run Building Board of Directors for Quail Materials, Inc. by purchasing Run Building Materials, 51% of the company. Inc. during the annual board meeting held on Thursday, Quail Run is located in north August , 2019. Phoenix and manufacturers cold formed steel building Lisa Garcia is one of fi ve components, specializing directors on the Board in high quality galvanized for Quail Run Building commercial and residential Materials, Inc. steel framing. hard to raise money for this so extremely hard for me to Choosing the headstone was year and when it all came come to realize that they are extremely hard for me. When down to the very last days actually gone. I fi nally decided to go we ran they all put in work to help into a problem. The guy that me get everything together. The fourth year is when we we were going to meet with From the very beginning they are to let our loved one’s had a family emergency and were all such a big help.” journey on to their next had to leave so we couldn’t destination. When we are meet up with him. I felt a little Why was the 4th memorial all to move on. It’s crazy sigh of relief as I didn’t know so special and what did the that this year Mercedes’ dog how I was going to handle candle and ribbon ceremony Sparkle passed away and it. I wasn’t around for any signify? Luis’ dog Dizzy is on his of the planning (of) the kid’s way out as well. I held on to services and I thank God for Family and friends honor two young and beautiful angels, Luis James Garcia and I remember listening to my them not wanting to let them my sister and family who Mercedes Aryssa Garcia with a new headstone, on Saturday, July 27. The headstone Auntie Sally at my Grandma go because I felt some sort of put that together for me; as I placement was also blessed during the 4th Memorial services and candle lighting Juanita’s last memorial comfort when they were near seen how hard this was to put ceremony that took place at Ak-Chin Recreation earlier in the day. explaining that after four me. Like I still had a piece together I can’t imagine how years it was time for us to let of them with me, but now hard the original services On Saturday, July 27, an community on July 26, 2015. and events that took place her go and let her continue this year as they also left us planning must have been. emotional gathering was held during the memorials, which her journey to be with all the I realized I have to let them at Ak-Chin Recreation. As Mother, Della White has were set up to honor her others who have passed on in go too. The time was coming closer rattles and songs echoed in struggled immensely over children in prayer, as well paradise. and I knew we had to go the rafters, supporters came the years; as do her children as a memorial basketball Maybe the kids wanted to and choose a headstone as out to pay their respects and Jalen and Mariella Garcia tournament which helped I remember her telling us that take them with them on their soon as we could. So, a few honor the memory of Luis who were also in the raise funds to purchase when we untie that ribbon journey. I’ve always thought days before I left for Hawaii James Garcia and Mercedes accident. However, she has a headstone for Luis and we were letting her go so she that when I knew I had to let I asked my sisters and my Aryssa Garcia. had a great support system Mercedes. can go on her way. I think the dogs go. brother to go for me. I just that has helped her and her this is why I had such a hard couldn’t get myself to do The memorial was held family heal. “Oh my gosh over the years time undoing my ribbon. How was the headstone it. So, they went along with to honor the two youths my sisters, my mom, our kids, Although, I don’t want my chosen and who did the Mariella and took care of who were tragically taken We asked Della if she would close friends, my brother, babies to suff er and be held artwork for it? everything for me. I think from their families and the like to share her memories husband and I worked so back it was and still is just Memorial continues to page 7 P a ge 2 E l d er ew s Page 4 Creati ve Learning I N S D E H I S SS E P a ge C o mmu i t ew s P a ge 5 C o mmu i t a l e d a r 2 August 16 - September 5, 2019 Best of Luck Kristina on Your New Journey time to share and reflect with and to see the Community Ak-Chin Chairman Robert Chairman Gabriel Lopez, the community, via email. itself grow, I know prosperity Miguel took Kristina out to who reminded her that it’s will continue. a farewell lunch earlier in not good-bye, but til we see July 29 email: the week and called in from you again. I would like to thank current out-of-state to share parting Good afternoon all, and past Tribal Councils thoughts on behalf of the “I can’t tell you how for providing equipment Community that Thursday appreciative I am to Ak- As I work on pages of the Ak- and support to the Runner, as Ak-Chin Council member Chin for the opportunity Chin Runner that will be out to current and past Runner Delia Carlyle presented an to share your stories and on Friday, I wanted to take staffs, including our summer award of appreciation for history.