One 'great' shot all it takes to win
Begay wraps up victory at FESJC, but not without a bit of drama first

By Bobby Hall
The Commercial Appeal

Hooray for Begay!

When the FedEx St. Jude Classic ended Sunday, the cheering and the bagpipe serenade were for Notah Begay III, who shot 2-under-par 69 for 271 to win the $3 million golf tournament by one shot.

A delighted Begay, 27, left the 18th green at the Tournament Players Club at Southwind blowing kisses to spectators and high-fiving fans on a dash up the walkway to the scorer's tent.

	By Michael McMullan The crowd congratulates Notah Begay III after his win at the FedEx St. Jude Classic at Southwind on Sunday. Begay shot 2-under-par 69 for 271, earning him the $540,000 winner's check.

Somewhere on Indian reservations around the nation, there surely must have been delight, too, because the only Native American on the PGA Tour was a winner again - for the third time in two years.

``Let's face it. That's a great ending," said Martin Norris, 38, an encamped spectator from Bartlett.

The greatness was for several reasons.

One was because of a dramatic 197-yard shot over water with a 6-iron that Begay made on the final hole. Another was because the win was a milestone for Begay, who earlier this year was incarcerated for a week because of a DUI incident.

``That shot he hit on No. 18 was the shot of the tournament," Norris said.

The shot left Begay with a 5-foot putt for birdie. His two-putt par was enough to secure the $540,000 winner's check. Bob May (71) and Chris DiMarco (69) tied for second at 272.

Begay's finish was almost as perfect as the setup for Norris, who watched from the same spot behind the 18th green for the 11th straight year. Norris's vantage point included a lawn chair, an umbrella with a battery-powered fan hanging from the spokes, and a miniature TV.

``We've got it figured out how to do this," Norris said, as several friends nodded in agreement.

Archives of the 43rd tour stop in Memphis will show that the event didn't have superstar Tiger Woods - and other key names on tour - but the winner turned out to be Woods's old college buddy and teammate at Stanford University.

``I may give him a buzz tonight," Begay said, with a grin.

Now that he's a champion in Memphis, will Begay help recruit for the FESJC?

``If someone asks me about the FedEx St. Jude, I'm going to say it's a great place . . . good hospitality . . . nice golf course," he said.

Then with a smile, he said, ``I can't lie about the weather. It's pretty darn hot. I can only go so far."

On the final day the scoring wasn't as hot as the weather, with heat indexes in triple digits. The golf simmered more than it sizzled.

The brigade of Memphis firepower that had been explosive all week still had some shots left.

Southwind resident Loren Roberts led a half-dozen Shelby County area golfers with 68-274 and tied for seventh. Former Germantown High star Doug Barron shot 68-278 for 25th.

The joy of the tournament remained especially vivid for NGA Hooters Tour player Pat Nanney Jr. of Memphis, who closed with 71 for 285 and earned $6,090.

It was the first FESJC for Nanney, 38, a former Tunica casino pit boss who quit his job in 1998 to pursue his love of golf.

After dreaming since childhood of the opportunity to play in the Memphis event, Nanney said, ``I hate that it's over."

To reach reporter Bobby Hall, call 529-2311; E-mail: hall@gomemphis.com