First Nations Golf Association

For More Information Contact: Steve McDonald (785) 640-6902

NATIVE YOUTH GOLF CHAMPION LEADS CAL STATE TO RESPECTABLE FINISH AT NCAA DIVISION II CHAMPIONSHIPS

Blaine, Washington (May 28, 2009) - Cal State San Bernardino golf rising star, Gene Webster, Jr., Navajo/Oneida of Wisconsin, lead his golf team to a second place finish in the NCAA Division II National Championship at Loomis Trail Golf Club located just north of Seattle, WA., after a challenging 4 day tournament that took place May 19 - 22, 2009.

Webster, a junior at Cal State University San Bernadino (CSUSB), is a "two-time" Golf NCAA All-American and won those honors during his freshman (2007) and sophomore (2008) years. In addition, Webster took third place individually in this year's National Tournament securing his place on the All-American Team for 2009.

During the NCAA Division II Championship tournament, the Cal State San Bernardino team tied for the lead after 72 holes of regulation play, but were defeated in a sudden-victory playoff by Sonoma State University on the first extra play-off hole.

Webster finished one shot off the individual championship lead which was shared by two players, Gavin Smith of Indiana University of PA and Kelbi Lee of Ferris State University. Smith won the play-off over Lee for the individual championship.

As an emerging nationally recognized golfer, Webster has also won the National Native Youth Golf Championship four-times back-to-back. The National Native Youth Championship is a national tournament coordinated by the First Nations Golf Association annually. In addition, Webter was a gold medalist at the 2006 Indigenous Games. Webster is mentored and coached by Steve McDonald, Potawatomi, and a noted PGA golf professional.

"Not only is Gene a tremendous golf talent, he is also a great student and community member. He works hard at refining his golf skills and has what it takes to succeed in the highly competitive arena of golf at any level," stated McDonald who is a golf entrepreneur, freelance writer, and serves as a Board Member for the First Nations Golf Association.

"We’ve made some big swing changes the last year and a half preparing him for the next phase of his golf development and he’s just now growing into his swing and game. He is very driven, very motivated and is becoming a well-rounded player. Gene has a gifted golf mind and is extremely knowledgeable about the game and citizenship responsibilities that come along with it… he has the mentality of a true champion and we support him all the way."

Webster plans on playing in several prestigious amateur golf tournaments this year as well as a Nationwide Tour event and several First Nations Golf Association tournaments...from the looks of it Webster’s championship ways are on the rise!

“I am planning on playing at the US Amateur, the US Publinks Championship, the Nationwide tour event at Soboba Springs plus the FNGA’s All-Indian Championship Week at the Winstar World Resort in August,” said Webster. “The NCAA tournament is always challenging and was a great learning experience overall...I am looking forward to spending time with my mentor Steve and working on my game this summer.”

About FNGA
The First Nations Golf Association, headquartered in Chiloquin, OR, is a national non-profit organization solely dedicated to developing American Indian golfers, both youth and adults through coaching, mentoring, golf instruction, golf clinics, and national championship events. The First Nations Golf Association’s Championship week is scheduled for August 4-8, 2009. The youth, women’s, and men’s championships are scheduled along with a youth career fair and golf instructional clinic.

For more information about the FNGA and the All-Indian Championship Week at Winstar log onto www.fnga.net.