7th Annual NAU Native American Programs Golf Tournament

Flagstaff, AZ - Record turnout in support of NAU Native American Student:  Rain, sunshine and more rain did not deter players from coming out to the 7th Annual Northern Arizona University Native American Program golf tournament held in Flagstaff, Arizona over the weekend.

The annual event celebrated its 7th annual tournament with a record turnout of 148 players.  “We had a full roster of players a month before the tournament and we had to turn players away all the way to the day of the tournament,” announced Al Henderson, tribal liaison with the Institute for Native Americans, who chairs the tournament planning committee.

This year’s major sponsors were the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians from Highland, California and the Salt River Project/Navajo Generating Station.  Representing the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians was Mr. Jacob Coin, director of Public Affairs, who travelled from southern California to help kick-off the fundraising event.

When asked why San Manuel tribe is interested in helping students at NAU, Mr. Coin said that “San Manuel has always been interested in giving back to the community and especially to help native students achieve success in college.”  NAU is known for its high enrollment of native students and San Manuel is interested in their success, he added.

“We have enjoyed another successful event that has raised more funds which will allow us to help meet the financial need of our native students” reported Laurence Gishey, director of the Institute for Native American, the tournament host.  He mentioned the tournament proceeds has been awarded to nearly thirty students who were confronted with financial difficulty not of their doing.  “These are unique and unfortunate circumstances that can lead to student drop-out and we want to prevent that from happening” said Mr. Gishey.

“What makes this event successful is the support we get from many of the corporate and business sponsors,” said Harry W. Sloan, Jr. who graduated from NAU.  He currently serves on the NAU Alumni Association and the W. A. Franke College of Business Community Advisory Board.  Among the well-known corporate sponsors includes KeyBank, JPMorgan Chase, and Peabody and Indian-owned businesses such as Casino Arizona, Native Resources Development, Inc., Sloan and Company, Navajo Engineering and Construction Authority, ETD, Inc., and D. Sloan Architects.

Tribal support also came from Ft. McDowell Yavapai Nation, Yavapai-Prescott Indian Tribe and Dine College from the Navajo Nation.

In the last four years, Hopi artist Kevin Quannie from Phoenix, Arizona and Navajo silversmith Gary Reeves from Gallup, New Mexico donated their valuable art work for prizes.  Courtesy Chevrolet from Phoenix joined in with their sponsorship of a pickup truck for the hole-in-one prize and numerous small businesses in Flagstaff and Gallup, New Mexico donated merchandise for the silent auction and raffle.

Tournament Results:  1st Place team:  Gary Altisi, Tanya Altisi, Eunice Tso and Kyle Dotson;  2nd Place team:  Frank Curley, Jr., Wallace Hanley, Mel Rosseau and Wayne Claw;  3rd Place team:  Stan Overturf, Owen Doka, Shreve Tso and Art Smith;  4th place team:  Olin Littleman, Nick White, Raymond Upshaw and Jarrod Gonzales;  5th Place team:  Earl Whitehair, Dennison Young, Elmer Roanhorse and Dennison Young, Jr;  6th Place team:  Tom Chee, Marcus Tulley, Calvin Begay and Michael Thompson;  Men’s closest to the pin winner went to Gary Altisi;  Women’s closest to the pin winner went to Nancy Bedonie;  Men’s longest drive winner went to Jarrod Gonzales;  Women’s longest drive winner went to Nancy Bedonie;  Senior Men’s longest drive winner went to Mel Rousseau;  Longest putt winner went to Al Nez.

For more information call the NAU Institute for Native Americans at 928/523-9557.