RIDGEFIELD, Conn. — Player Development Solutions (PDS), the leader in long-term athletic development and junior golf journey technology, extends its warmest congratulations to PGA TOUR veteran, NBC Sports analyst, and philanthropist Notah Begay III on being named the recipient of the 2026 PGA TOUR Payne Stewart Award.
Following recent national press announcements celebrating Begay’s receipt of golf’s most respected humanitarian honor, PDS is proud to recognize our partner – a visionary, compassionate, and transformative leader whose relentless dedication continues to empower Native youth across North America.
Supporting the Mission: Free PDI and JGH Memberships
In celebration of this milestone and as part of PDS’s ongoing partnership with the NB3 Foundation, PDS granted free Player Development Index (PDI) assessments and memberships and Junior Golf Hub (JGH) memberships to all junior participants who competed in this week’s NB3 Native Youth Championships in New Mexico.
This initiative directly supports the generous vision and vital mission Begay has championed: providing Native youth with the resources, structure, and visibility needed to succeed both on the golf course and in higher education.
“Notah Begay III embodies everything the Payne Stewart Award stands for—unwavering character, sportsmanship, and an extraordinary commitment to giving back,” said Roger Knick, Founder and CEO of Player Development Solutions and Junior Golf Hub. “We are deeply honored to work alongside such an exemplary and inspiring man. Notah’s vision for Native youth perfectly matches our core commitment to long-term athletic development. By putting PDI assessments and Junior Golf Hub technology directly into the hands of these talented young athletes, we are helping demystify the college recruiting process, providing them with crucial visibility, and catching the attention of college coaches nationwide.”
Connecting Athletic Development to College Opportunities
PDS’s commitment centers on the belief that long-term athletic development (LTAD) requires objective measurement, proper guidance, and equal access to opportunity.
- Objective Measurement: PDI offers golf’s only standardized measurement system for assessing physical performance, golf skills, and developmental mindset. NB3 Foundation participants can compare their skills scores to those of thousands globally, including at the various collegiate levels.
- College Exposure: Through Junior Golf Hub profiles, athletes can share verified data and track their growth directly with college coaches, overcoming traditional geographic and financial barriers to recruitment.
The NB3 Foundation’s work—bolstered by the PGA TOUR’s $200,000 grant accompanying the Payne Stewart Award—continues to build healthier Native communities through sports, leadership, and wellness. PDS remains dedicated to supporting Begay’s mission, ensuring every young golfer at this week’s championship has a clear, actionable roadmap to college golf and beyond.
About Player Development Index & Junior Golf Hub
Through PDI and JGH, Player Development Solutions provides premier technology, assessment tools, and educational resources designed to guide junior golfers on their journey to college golf. Athletes of any age can take a free first PDI self assessment to establish a baseline read on their strengths and weaknesses, and compare skills with golfers of any level. Founded in 2016, Junior Golf Hub is the leading educational resource and online community for junior golfers, their parents, and college coaches, offering a modern, easily accessible website and mobile app that simplifies and streamlines the college golf placement process and player development. JGH provides a one-of-a-kind tool to help players and parents navigate the confusing journey to college golf, while helping college coaches discover and connect with top talent. For more information, visit juniorgolfhub.com and golfpdi.com
Media Contact:
Player Development Index / Junior Golf Hub Communications
Email: info@golfpdi.com or customersupport@juniorgolfhub.com
