PGA of America Member Maulana Dotch has become the first African-American woman to be appointed to the role of general manager at a golf facility in the United States.
Dotch, 40, was recently named general manager at Hermann Park Golf Course in Houston, Texas.
Dotch became only the second-ever African-American woman to become a PGA Member when she qualified in 2010, following in the footsteps of her inspiration, PGA Hall of Fame Member Renee Powell. Dotch has spent the last 12 years at Cedar Crest Golf Course in Dallas, where she served as PGA Head Professional since 2014.
In 2018, Dotch was selected for PGA LEAD, the Association’s leadership development programme created to identify, mentor and progress PGA Members from diverse backgrounds into volunteer leadership positions in the Association.
PGA President Jim Richerson said: “The PGA of America is proud of Maulana Dotch for earning this prestigious leadership position in golf management, while achieving another impressive milestone in her successful career. As a groundbreaking PGA Member, Maulana serves as a role model for women and girls and a source of inspiration for all who aspire to become PGA Members, as well as pursue careers throughout the golf industry.”
Dotch said: “Becoming general manager at Hermann Park is the culmination of many years of hard work and dedication in learning all facets of the golf business and adopting best practices and leadership principles from PGA Professionals throughout the industry.
“The mentorship I’ve received from Renee Powell, as well as so many other great leaders at the PGA and throughout the industry, has helped my career immensely. Based on my career journey, I’m honoured to continually give back and provide as much advice and guidance as possible to my fellow PGA Members, as well as girls and boys from diverse backgrounds looking to pursue a career in golf.”
Earlier in her career, Dotch won a golf scholarship to Bethune-Cookman University in Florida, where she was part of the team that won the PGA Minority Collegiate Championship, an event considered to be the most culturally significant championship in collegiate golf, in each of her four seasons. She also won the Individual Women’s Division Championship during her senior year.
