VERONA, N.Y. -- Turning Stone Resort, an enterprise of the Oneida Indian Nation, today announced the signing of professional golfer Notah Begay III to a two-year agreement to become an ambassador for the property. Begay, the only Native American on the PGA TOUR, has four career victories and has earned more than $5.1 million since turning pro in 1995.

The agreement will include Begay’s representation of Turning Stone in all personal and professional appearances, the Turning Stone logo featured on Begay’s golf bag and Web site, Turning Stone’s Atunyote Golf Club designated as Begay’s home course, and a youth clinic during the week of the PGA TOUR’s Turning Stone Resort Championship, September 17-23, 2007.

“Notah Begay III is an outstanding golfer and a fine representative of our culture and heritage, which he has proven through countless hours of giving back to the Native American people,” said Oneida Indian Nation Representative and Turning Stone CEO Ray Halbritter. “We very much look forward to this partnership.”

“It’s an honor to represent Turning Stone and the Oneida Indian Nation,” said Begay. “The tradition and values of the Oneida people and Turning Stone were apparent this summer when they volunteered to host the B.C. Open on very short notice. I look forward to playing on a world-class golf course here next fall.”

This past summer’s B.C. Open was moved to Turning Stone’s Atunyote Golf Club after the En-Joie Golf Club in Endicott, NY was damaged by flooding. In August, Turning Stone and the PGA TOUR announced the resort would host the Turning Stone Resort Championship as the opening event of the Fall Series in September 2007.

A native of Albuquerque, New Mexico, Begay also is a National Spokesperson for the Boys & Girls Clubs of America and helps lead the fight against diabetes by encouraging Native American communities to pursue healthier lifestyles. In 2005, Begay and his father founded The Notah Begay III Foundation, a federally recognized 501(c)3 non-profit organization that delivers youth sports programs in Native American communities in the form of golf and soccer programs. For more information on Notah Begay III, visit www.notah.com.

About Turning Stone Resort & Casino

Located in the heart of upstate New York, the Turning Stone resort complex provides world-class golf (including three of the top ten rated courses in the state), state-of-the-art gaming (more than 2,400 multi-game machines, over 85 table games and more than 30 poker tables), top name entertainment, more than 100,000 sq ft of flexible meeting and event space, a new 33,000 sq. ft. destination spa and five lodging facilities featuring more than 700 rooms and suites – everything from The Lodge at Turning Stone, named one of the best luxury hotels in the USA by Lodging Hospitality magazine and winner of AAA’s prestigious 4-diamond award, to The Villages at Turning Stone, a recreational vehicle park rated 5W for recreation and facilities by Woodall’s. Opened in 1993, Turning Stone is now one of the top five tourist destinations in New York State, hosting more than 4 million visitors a year. For more information and reservations, call (315) 361-7711 or 1-800-771-7711, or visit www.turningstone.com and www.oneidanews.net.

About the Oneida Indian Nation

Turning Stone Resort & Casino is owned by the Oneida Indian Nation, a member of the Iroquois Confederacy, whose primary focus is providing for the well-being of the seventh generation to come. The Nation employs more than 4,800 people, making the Oneida Nation the third largest employer in the region comprising Oneida, Madison and Onondaga counties. The Oneida Nation’s sovereign presence in Central New York and its ability to operate businesses and administer governmental services create huge positive economic benefits for the region and New York State. Since 1992, the Nation has invested more than $2 billion in its government programs and business enterprises. For more information and reservations, call (315) 361-7711 or 1-800-771-7711, or visit www.turningstone.com and www.oneidanews.net.

TURNING STONE RESORT & CASINO
5218 Patrick Road ● Verona, NY 13037
(800) 771-7711 ● www.turningstone.com

Media Contact: Brian Fisher Edelman 212-704-8218 Brian.Fisher@edelman.com