Reno Gazette-Journal from Reno, Nevada • Page 17

Saturday, January 22, 2000 Reno Gazette-Journal 5B PGA Golf, Tennis Begay's problem may cost Indian kids a role model looked up to me, especially Native Americans, I've let down, it's up to me to regain their trust and support." Lowry, however, said that won't be easy. "All humans make mistakes," she said. "But I'm so cynical about it. He says it's a case of bad judgment, but what if he didn't get caught? Would he keep doing it? "If it makes him stop drinking altogether, that's wonderful. I'm all for supporting him." Lowry wasn't the only one offering long-distance support.

"One of the most important things is Notah knows he was wrong," said John Zidich, president of the Reno-Tahoe Open Foundation and sales director at the Reno Gazette-Journal. "He knows he made a big mistake. I think he'll do everything he can to earn back the respect of everyone he touched. The way he has reacted to this shows tremendous character." It's going to take time for him to reestablish his status with Lowry, who said Begay should come to Reno and apologize to the American Indian community. "He devastated me as much as Magic Johnson did when he came forward and announced he was HIV positive," Lowry said, referring to the former NBA star.

"My kids adored him. I don't think these people realize how much of an impact they make on these kids." WITH WIRE REPORTS Country Club last August. He is arguably the most recognized Native American athlete in the world. On Wednesday, Begay was arrested for drunken driving in his hometown of Albuquerque, N.M. "I am so devastated.

When I saw the news, my heart just dropped," said Lowry, a partner development specialist with the Reno-Sparks Indian Colony's Prevention Coalition. "He was the one person I was trying to use here to help the kids." Stereotypes about American Indians and alcohol are the primary reason for concern, Lowry said. "I just cringe whenever I read anything about Native Americans and alcohol," Lowry said. "Native Americans and alcohol are two things that don't mix. "The kids I work with are at-risk, and alcohol is one of the areas they are at-risk.

I have to use it (Begay's arrest) as an example of what alcohol can do." It's a stereotype that Begay realizes he has propagated. "Alcohol is a problem, especially on the reservations," Begay told The Tribune in Albuquerque Thursday. "Unfortunately, my actions have negatively reflected on that stereotype, and that's the most unfortunate thing that comes out of this. I've reinforced what people already think about Indians." Begay, who graduated from Stanford with a degree in economics, was leaving a popular Albuquerque nightspot Wednesday night when he By Dan Hinxman RENO GAZETTE-JOURNAL Just five months ago, Notah Begay was everything Sandra Lowry could ask for in a role model for the American Indian children she counsels: He's an American Indian, a college graduate, a celebrity and a man who embraced his status as a role model. Today, Lowry is hoping Begay, a professional golfer who has given talks to children about the dangers of substance abuse, can someday be looked upon in that light again.

Begay quickly became a hero to American Indians in northern Nevada after winning his first PGA Tour event, the inaugural Reno-Tahoe Open at Montreux Golf GOLF ROUNDUP Beem setting record pace at Hope Classic backed his Ford Expedition into a 1967 Jaguar, causing minor damage. The owner of the Jaguar was standing nearby and called police. Begay was taken to City-County Jail where he registered a 0.21 on a breath test. He was arrested for aggravated DWI, a petty misdemeanor, because his blood-alcohol content was higher than 0.16, double the legal limit in New Mexico. He faces a fine of $500 and up to 90 days in jail.

Because of the prior conviction, he must serve at least two days in jail if convicted. "It's going to have a dramatic effect on my image and not the kind that I would like," Begay told The Tribune. "The biggest problem I'm having is the people who have Mallon had a 1-under 71 Friday on The Club at The Strand course after shooting an 8-under 64 in the first round. Because she teed off in the morning, when the temperature was in the low 40s and the wind was blowing, Mallon figured the field would catch her in the afternoon. "I left some putts short out there on the front side, but I can't do that to myself," Mallon said.

"I know getting an under-par round is good today. Hopefully, no one will get too far away for the weekend. "The conditions are perfect this afternoon. I expect some low scores." Rookie Jen Hanna, 45-year-old Dale Eggeling and Tina Barrett were tied for second, a shot behind Mallon at 8-under 1 36. Jennifer Feldott, who eagled her final hole, was tied with Hall of Famer Betsy King, Nancy Scranton and Jane Crafter two strokes behind Mallon.

Also making the cut was 20-year-old Grace Park. The rookie who won the 1 998 U.S. Women's Amateur and the 1999 NCAA individual title was at 1 -under 1 45 in her first event as a pro. Catherine Cartwright, a 1 6-year-old amateur in on a sponsor's exemption, had a 5-under 67. Cartwright, who is at 2-under for the tournament, is from nearby Bonita Springs and won the Florida Class 2 A state title last fall.

FICHARDT AND EALES TIED FOR SECOND-ROUND LEAD Darren Fichardt of South Africa shot a 67 Friday and tied Paul Eales of England for the second-round lead in the South African Open. Fichardt, who got married 1 0 days ago, joked that marrying a psychologist was the smartest move of his life. "We are working on the mind a lot," he said. "I used to get upset about a bad shot, but now I take a shot-by-shot approach." Eales, who had a 69, and Fichardt were at 135. Ian Woosnam of Wales shot a 66 and was tied at 1 36 with first-round leader Wal-lie Coetzee.

Lee Westwood had a 68 for 137. Anthony Wall of England was at 141 after a 71. Begay From page IB going to do it." According to police, Begay took two breath-alcohol tests about an hour after the wreck that showed his blood-alcohol level at 0.21 nearly triple the legal limit of 0.08. Bardacke, however, said that was not totally accurate. "An hour after this incident, it was .16," Bardacke said.

He said the blood-alcohol appeared to rise after the arrest, and "it was probably well below 1 6 at the time of the incident." But Begay admitted drinking more than two beers the number he told police he had consumed. "Obviously I was under the influence at the time and just threw a number out there arbitrarily," Begay said. "More than two drinks? I would say more than five." Begay said he does not believe he is an alcoholic but will seek help to determine if he has a problem. "I'm going to go out myself and I I WIRE REPORTS BERMUDA DUNES, Calif. The desert is Rich Beem's idea of a working vacation.

Back from two miserable weeks in Hawaii, Beem tied the 54-hole record in the Bob Hope Classic on Friday with a 7-under 65 to take the lead over Nike Tour graduate Matt Gogel going into the weekend. What a difference a change of scenery makes for Beem. In six rounds over two tournaments in Hawaii, he was 21 -over-par. Through three rounds in the desert, he was 20-under and he still hasn't played Indian Wells, the easiest of the four courses. "I'm just pleased where I'm at," said Beem, a reference to his location on the map as much as his spot on the leaderboard.

"The first three days have been awesome. I can't imagine I've been 20-under for three rounds in my life on any golf course, much less a tour event." His 195 tied the 54-hole tournament record set by Andrew Magee, who was 21-under in 1998. Bermuda Dunes, which Beem played Wednesday, is a par 7 1 this year. Gogel, who turned pro in 1994 but never played a PGA Tour event until last week in Honolulu, had four straight birdies at Indian Wells and finished with a 64 for a 19-under 197. Defending champion David Duval may not need a 59 to win this year.

On a day that finally featured some semblance of wind a palm frond actually moved Duval breezed through Indian Wells for a 63 that left him at 1 8-under. AUSTRALIAN OPEN LOOKS GOOD: Matt Gogel of Mission Hills, watches the flight of his approach shot to the seventh hole at Indian Wells Country Club in Indian Wells, Friday during the third round of the Bob Hope Classic. Gogel shot an 8-under-par 64. Norman, Titleist have a deal Hingis keeps rolling at Open Associated Pfess third round, had a 69 and fell four strokes behind. Among those who need to make a move today to get closer to the lead are Fred Couples, Davis Love III and Phil Mickelson, all at 203.

All three of them failed to win on tour last year. DEFENDING CHAMPION MALLON STILL OUT FRONT AFTER SECOND ROUND Meg Mallon was hoping Friday's round in the LPGA Memorial of Naples would set her up for the weekend. When the day was done, she was indeed in perfect shape for the weekend's two rounds, leading the field by a stroke midway through the $850,000 event. fying against Japan's Yuka Yoshida. Kandarr three matches in the main draw have gone three sets, including the first round when she saved a match point against Australian wild-card qualifier Melissa Dowse before winning 6-4, 6-7 (5), 8-6.

Kandarr on Friday defeated another qualifier, Sonya Jeyaseelan of Canada, 6-2, 0-6, 6-3 in a scrappy match marred by errors and rain breaks. RED STAR RISING Chinese wildcard qualifier Yi Jianqian says she matched or bettered Jennifer Capriati from the baseline, although the American's 6-4, 6-4 victory will stand in the results and probably go overlooked by the bulk of the tennis world. But not in China. Yi's third-round match against the former teen-age prodigy was broadcast live on Chinese television. By reaching the third round, Yi equaled the best result ever by a Chinese player in a Grand Slam.

Her coach, Jeff King, who splits time among the tour, China and Chicago, said Yi's performances will ignite a flood of interest in tennis. "The Chinese are historically extremely good at racket sports take table tennis for example. If they can give more commitment to tennis, then China is going to be a real he said. "I'm not the first person to say that. It's not going to happen overnight." WIRE REPORTS Greg Norman agreed to a wide-ranging deal Friday with Acushnet Co.

in which he will do more than just play its Titleist golf clubs and balls. He'll distribute them, too. The deal offered Norman a chance to expand his role as the exclusive distributor in Australia for Cobra Golf Equipment, part of the Acushnet family. Norman has been affiliated with Cobra since 1990. Great White Shark Enterprises will be able to add the popular Titleist and FootJoy brands to its O- seek some professional consultation to get some feedback," Begay said.

"If they say, Notah, we think that you need to do this, this and this, then I'm going to do it just to make sure I cover all the bases, because I'm not denying that I do have a problem or that I don't. I want to find out." Begay plans to return to the tour next week at the Phoenix Open. He said he had discussed his arrest with PGA officials and was assured his status with the tour had not changed. "I've got their full support. It does not affect my status as a member and it is simply between the local authorities and myself," Begay said.

Nike, with whom Begay has an endorsement contract, also has said it stands behind him. Begay said his arrest in Scotts-dale occurred soon after he graduated from Stanford and moved to that city. He said he was on his way home after spending an evening with friends and was pulled over for speeding. Police found open containers of alcohol in Begay's vehicle, and he was arrested. distribution operations in Australia.

Terms of the agreement were not disclosed. Norman, a two-time British Open champion, has won 1 8 times on the PGA Tour among his 86 worldwide victories. He remains one of the most recognizable figures in golf, and has been equally successful in business. Great White Shark Enterprises includes a clothing line, golf course design, wines, real estate and his own brand of turf grass, used in last year's Super Bowl. U7T WOLF PACK TT ST "You know there's a good opportunity to put up a good number," said Duval, who birdied the last four holes.

"I don't know if I could have gotten a 59, but you could make an argument for 60." Casey Martin would take anything in the 60s right now. He had a 1-under 7 1 5-under for the week and was in danger of missing the cut in his debut as the first PGA Tour member in a cart. First-round leader David Toms had a 66 and was at 1 8-under 197. Peter Jacobsen, a past champion of the Hope Classic, was at 1 7-under. Greg Kraft, the leader to start the Associated Press BACKHAND RETURN: Switzerland's Martina Hingis hits a return in her 6-2, 6-3, center court victory over Alicia Molik of Australia at the Australian Open Tennis Championships in Melbourne, Australia, Saturday, Halard-Decugis of France.

In six matches, including three in qualifying, Kandarr has saved nine match points, eight in the second round of quali tribunal. rCasitasde Ray ArJ Aw crky vr of MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) In the burning heat or under the roof during rainstorms, Martina Hingis rolls on unperturbed by the elements or her opponents in the Australian Open. Hingis, the three-time defending champion, won her 24th straight match in the Australian Open on Saturday, repelling the fierce serves of rising star Alicia Molik to advance to the fourth round 6-2, 6-3. In seeking to become the first woman in the open era to win four consecutive Australian Open titles, Hingis has lost only 14 games in three matches. "Three in a row younger than me 1 teel like 1 getting into middle age," the 19-year-old Hingis said.

Against Molik, an 18-year-old Australian who served at up to 1 16 mph, Hingis looked absolutely unruffled, as if she could stand there and swat back returns all day. With the retractable roof closed because of rain midway through the first set, Molik did serve six aces. Hingis accepted those occasional balls flying past as inevitable, shrugged them off, and waited for others to take aim at. On her own serve, Hingis didn't try to match Molik pace but nevertheless gave up only five points. "Her serve was just big," Hingis said.

"Sometimes I would think, 'OK, there's nothing I can do about I knew I wasn't allowed to lose a rally." Molik tried rushing the net on her second serves, with mixed success, but was helpless when Hingis kept her back and rushed to the net herself. "Martina has the best return of serve in the game Molik said. "You know that quality return is coming back at you, and it puts you under more pressure, so you push that little bit harder and it throws you off your game." Defending men's champion Yevgeny Kafelnikov followed on the covered center court and posted a 6-3, 6-3, 6-4 victory over Stefan Koubek to reach the fourth round. i tne only matcnes compieiea I amid intermittent rain, the men's I No. 4 seed Nicolas Kiefer beat i Karim Alami 6-3, 6-4, 6-2; and Ar- naud Clement downed Roger Fed- 6-3.

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