Maulana Dotch becomes First African-American Woman PGA Member to Serve as a General Manager of a Golf Facility
Southern Texas PGA • March 8, 2021
Maulana Dotch, PGA was named General Manager at Hermann Park Golf Course in Houston, becoming the first African-American woman PGA Member to serve as a General Manager of a golf facility.
A native of Irving, Texas, Dotch, 40, earned her PGA Membership in 2010. At the time, she was the second-ever African-American woman to become a PGA Member, following in the footsteps of her inspiration, golf trailblazer and PGA Hall of Fame Member Renee Powell. Dotch spent the past 12 years at Cedar Crest Golf Course in Dallas and served as PGA Head Professional since 2014.
In 2018, Dotch was selected for PGA LEAD, the Association’s leadership development program created to identify, mentor and progress PGA Members from diverse backgrounds into volunteer leadership positions in the Association.
“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,” said PGA President Jim Richerson. “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.”
A member of both the Bethune-Cookman University Athletics Hall of Fame and the Texas Black Sports Hall of Fame, Dotch is committed to sharing her experiences to promote inclusion and diversity in the game, while inspiring the next generation of golfers from diverse backgrounds to embrace opportunities in the golf industry.
“Becoming General Manager at Hermann Park Golf Course 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,” said Dotch. “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 honored 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.”
Alongside her brothers, Dotch learned the game from her father, Emanuel Dotch, on a high school field in Irving. There were no clubs to be found for the left-handed Dotch, so her dad cut down his right-handed clubs, and she learned to play from her unnatural side.
Dotch eventually became an accomplished player, first competing on the men’s golf team at Irving High School and then earning a golf scholarship to Bethune-Cookman University in Daytona Beach, Florida. While at Bethune-Cookman, her team won the PGA Minority Collegiate Championship (now known as the PGA WORKS Collegiate Championship), an event considered to be the most culturally significant championship in collegiate golf, in each of her four seasons. She also captured the Individual Women’s Division Championship during her senior year.
Jesse Droemer, PGA and Bobby Gates, PGA Qualify for the 2025 PGA Championship First Community STPGA Team Shines at PGA Professional Championship SPRING, TEXAS (May 1, 2025) – At the 2025 Southern Texas PGA (STPGA) Annual Meeting, the Section announced an exciting expansion of its partnership with First Community, unveiling the First Community STPGA Team. This group of nine PGA Members earned their spots through outstanding play at the 2024 STPGA Section Championship and went on to represent the Section at the PGA Professional Championship held this past week at PGA Golf Club in Port St. Lucie, Florida. The First Community STPGA Team made a strong showing, with Jared Jones, Jesse Droemer, JJ Wood, and Bobby Gates all making both cuts during the event that featured 312 PGA Professionals from across the country. Notably, Droemer and Gates secured spots in the prestigious 2025 PGA Championship at Quail Hollow after placing in the Top 20 of the event. Droemer, who came in second place overall, was solid all week long, even with battling some back issues. He started off really strong with a 4-under 68 on Day 1 when he played the Wanamaker Course and backed it up with a 3-under 68 on the Ryder Course on Day 2. He played in the final pairing both days on Tuesday and Wednesday to finish in solo second at 5-under par 282. Droemer will be making his second appearance at the PGA Championship in two weeks in Charlotte. Gates finished in a tie for 15th and secured his spot in the Top 20 with a 2-under 70 on the last day. When he finished he thought he might be in a playoff for the final spot to make the Top 20, but after waiting for 2 hours, he was safely in! This was Gates' first PGA Professional Championship and will be his first PGA Championship. Gates is currently the Director of Instruction at Summit Golf Schools in Spring, TX and “We couldn’t be more thrilled with how this initiative came to life,” said STPGA Executive Director Thomas Hutton. “What started as an idea on a whiteboard became a reality thanks to the support of First Community and the enthusiasm of our members. The performances from Jesse, Bobby, and the rest of the team truly made this special.”
Roland Thatcher, PGA – Leading Through Experience, Driven by Passion
Golf Done Right Isn’t Just A Game - It’s A Game Changer . It Matters. Teenage girls are quitting sports - 45% abandon athletics by age 14, crushed by body image doubts, insecurities, and lack of access. Teenage girls need the physical, mental, and social benefits that participation in sports has been shown to give. Coaches are the heartbeat of keeping girls in the game. It begins with building trusting relationships and coaching with empathy. It takes a whole-person approach where all young people feel safe, seen, heard, and valued.
STPGA Q1 UPDATE Strategic Plan, Mentoring, and More
Garry Rippy, PGA(Left) and Tayler Termeer (Right) SUGARLAND, TEXAS (APRIL 8, 2025) – The Veritex Bank Spring Classic, our first Major of the year, was hosted at Riverbend Country Club in Sugarland, Texas. Unlike a typical Southern Texas event, we had a beautiful high temperature of 70 o F for the much anticipated 36-hole championship. With our morning players bundled up and our afternoon wave fighting the wind for the majority of Round One, Riverbend Country Club served up a challenge early in the event. In our Senior Division, Garry Rippy, PGA Teaching Professional at Jimmy Clay Golf Course, would lead after Round One, sitting at -2 (70). Our Open Division boasted a three-way tie after Round One between Jared Jones, PGA Director of Instruction at River Oaks Country Club, Roland Thatcher, PGA Director of Golf at Lakeside Country Club, and Tayler Termeer, Teaching Professional at University of Texas Golf Club, all shooting -2( 70) as well. Outside of 126 PGA of America Members and Associates playing together, the highlight of the day was when Susie Redman, PGA Teaching Professional at The Woodlands Country Club, made a Hole-In-One on Hole #4, one surefire way to win the closest-to-the-hole challenge presented by Maui Jim! After a fierce 18-Holes, our players were able to unwind with a player dinner presented by Blue Moon filled with networking and camaraderie at Riverbend Country Club. The STPGA would like to thank Riverbend Country Club, its membership, and PGA Director of Golf Ryan Brandt for allowing the STPGA to host the Veritex Bank Spring Classic at their facility. For Round Two, the conditions were perfect for all players. The Senior Division played in the morning with Round One leader Garry Rippy taking home first place with a total score of -6 (138), which included a Round Two score of -4 (68). Rippy and Robert Thompson, PGA Teaching Professional at Whispering Pines Golf Club, went back and forth all day with the turning point being Holes #13 and #14 that Rippy birdied. "I wasn’t anticipating one way or the other. I was lucky I had a pretty quiet mind both days, and it was probably the most relaxed I’ve been playing tournament golf" said Rippy. With our Senior Champion being crowned, the Open Division would steal the show for the remainder of the event with our Top-15 all within two strokes of the lead heading into the final round. Austin Wylie, Teaching Professional at Mac Wylie Golf Center, shot a 7-under 65 to vault up the leaderboard with a two-day total of -3 (141). He was the solo leader in the clubhouse until Ben Willman, PGA Teaching Professional at Axis Golf Academy, tied him with a birdie on the par-5 18th. However, it was not enough to catch Round One leader Tayler Termeer, Teaching Professional at the University of Texas Golf Club. Tayler played consistently all day with a 3-under round of 69 to post a tournament total of -5 (139) and win by two. He played the back nine bogey-free with birdies on Hole #10 and Hole #18 to solidify his victory! "I just had a lot of trust in what I was doing. I was driving the ball well all tournament. I was just focusing on one shot at a time and got my putter going. I had no idea how close it was going into the final hole but just kept trusting myself" stated Termeer. Congratulations to Tayler Termeer for an unbelievable tournament and earning the title of Champion of the 2025 Veritex Bank Spring Classic. The 2025 Veritex Bank Spring Classic would not be possible without the support of our Partners. A huge thank you to Title Partner Veritex Bank and Presenting Partners 1st and 10th Tee Bars, Club Car, Donald Ross Sportswear, Maui Jim, and ZOA Energy Drinks. The STPGA's next Major is the Omega Transaction Memorial Championship at Westwood Golf Club in Houston, TX on May 19-20. To view the photo gallery, click here . To view the final results, click here .
SPRING, TEXAS (April 2, 2025) – The Southern Texas PGA (STPGA) is proud to announce the captains for the 2025 Cup Matches, a prestigious series of competitions celebrating the best of professional and junior golf in the region. Leading this year’s teams are three distinguished PGA of America Members:
SPRING, TEXAS (April 1, 2025) – The Southern Texas PGA (STPGA) is proud to announce the nine PGA of America Members who have earned their place on the inaugural First Community STPGA Team . Based on their outstanding performances in the 2024 STPGA Section Championship, these elite professionals will represent the Section at the 2025 PGA Professional Championship at PGA Golf Club in Port St. Lucie, Florida, from April 27-30, 2025. We will showcase this team throughout April, with the support of First Community Credit Union.
Rob Charter, PGA – Family in the Fairways
Steven Chervony (Left) and Tayler Termeer (Right) AUSTIN, TEXAS (March 11, 2025) – The 2025 Pro-Pro Championship brought 94 players to The Hills Country Club (Signature Course) in Austin, Texas, for two days of premier competition. Participants battled it out, showcasing their talent on one of the region’s top courses. A colder start to our typical Southern Texas tee time didn't slow down the field as only four strokes separated the Top-5 after round one. Robert Scott, PGA Teaching Professional at Royal Oaks Country Club, alongside Ryan Polzin, PGA Head Professional at Oak Hills Country Club, would post an incredible -15 for the first day's scramble. The great round solidified them as the solo leaders for Day Two, but they would need to keep their foot on the pedal to maintain it. At the beginning of Round 2, it would be Troy Schleicher, PGA Life Member, and Billy Sitton, PGA Golf Executive at Triumph Golf, only trailing behind the leaders by one stroke, leading the charge. A windier day would prove an already challenging course that much more, but Schleicher and Sitton would remain steady and climb up to the top spot late in the final round. Tayler Termeer, Teaching Professional at the University of Texas Golf Club, and Steven Chervony, Assistant Professional at Austin Country Club, would keep the competition interesting. They would rise four spots and put pressure on Schleicher and Sitton heading to the final hole. "We thought we would perform better in the Four-Ball format versus the Scramble format. We knew 6-under or 7-under would make it competitive and give us a good chance at winning," said Chervony. Termeer and Chervony would have done enough to seal the victory in their favor. They would head to the scoring table with an official score of 62 - 65 – 127 ( -17 ) and walk away crowned the 2025 Pro-Pro Champions by two strokes. "I was hitting my driver well, and that freed us up a lot. We had a fairly relaxed round because of that, along with the eagle we carded on Hole 9 that took some pressure off us as well," stated Termeer. The Southern Texas PGA extends its sincere appreciation to The Hills Country Club and its dedicated staff for their exceptional hospitality. Additionally, we are grateful for the support of our valued partners—Callaway, E-Z-GO, Evolve Golf, Texoma Golf, Tagmarshal, Scales, Sap’s, NextRound, and OMNI Hotels & Resorts—whose contributions made this event possible.
Hello STPGA Members and Associates , We are excited to announce a new partnership with the Association of Golf Merchandisers (AGM) to bring education and networking opportunities to the STPGA. Below, you will find online education seminars related to merchandising that might benefit you and/or your team. I highly recommend signing up for all or specific topics that interest you. AGM has graciously waived registration fees; all you need to do is click the buttons below to register your name. Feel free to invite anyone on your team to this as well. PDR credits will be awarded to those who register and attend each session. Quarterly Blueprint for Golf Shop Success - Justine Gray Wednesday March 26, 2025 3:00 P.M. CST REGISTER HERE Join Justine for a seminar on optimizing golf retail operations. Learn proactive inventory management, customer service strategies, and staff training tips while enhancing cross-department collaboration. Leave with a personalized quarterly action plan to drive long-term success in your golf shop! Increasing the Average Units Per Transaction: What You Need to Know - Nicole Leinbach Hoffman Thursday April 9, 2025 3:00 P.M. CST REGISTER HERE Join retail expert Nicole Leinbach Hoffman of Retail Minded to discover proven strategies for increasing average units per transaction. Learn how merchandising, staff engagement, and strategic product pairings can boost sales and enhance the customer experience. The REAL Impact™ of One - Rita Goodroe Wednesday May 28, 2025 3:00 P.M. CST REGISTER HERE The REAL Impact™ of One shows how YOU make the difference between business as usual and business that wins. In an industry where timing and relationships drive results, every action ripples across the organization. With humor, storytelling, and practical tools, award-winning connection expert Rita Goodroe lights up the room—leaving you thinking about your impact in ways you never have before.
