The Legacy of Mentorship

Featuring Maulana Dotch, PGA

EPISODE 011

Runtime: 1:09:27
Published: Monday, September 7, 2026
Topics: Mentorship • Leadership • PGA Professional • Women in Golf • Golf History • Diversity • Junior Golf • Legacy

What happens when the mentee becomes the mentor?

PGA Professional Maulana Dotch shares a remarkable journey of family, opportunity, history and the people who opened doors along the way—and why she’s determined to hold those doors open for the next generation.

Some people find their way into the game of golf. Others help create a pathway for those coming behind them.

In this episode of Fairways & Friends, PGA Professional Courtney Connell sits down with his friend Maulana Dotch, PGA, for a conversation about golf, family, opportunity, leadership—and the extraordinary power of mentorship.

Maulana’s golf journey began with her father, Emanuel, who introduced her to the game as a young girl. From playing on the boys’ golf team at Irving High School to competing collegiately at Bethune-Cookman University, Maulana developed into an accomplished player before discovering an even larger purpose within the game.

Along the way, mentors including PGA Professional Ira Molayo and PGA Hall of Fame Member Renée Powell helped encourage, challenge and inspire her.

Maulana would go on to become the second Black woman to earn PGA Membership, serve as Head PGA Professional at historic Cedar Crest Golf Course in Dallas, and later make history as the first Black woman PGA Member to serve as general manager of a golf facility, leading Hermann Park Golf Course in Houston.

But this conversation is about much more than historic firsts.

It’s about the person behind the résumé.

Maulana shares the influence of her father, the people who believed in her, the responsibility that comes with opening doors for others, and what happens when the mentee eventually becomes the mentor.

Her story also intersects with the remarkable history of Hermann Park Golf Course—a public golf facility whose own story includes an important chapter in the desegregation of municipal golf in Houston.

Today, Maulana is using the experiences and opportunities others poured into her to invest in another generation of young people. It is a beautiful reminder that perhaps one of the greatest measures of mentorship isn’t simply what we accomplish ourselves—it’s what the people we encourage are able to accomplish after us.

Join us for Maulana Dotch: The Legacy of Mentorship—a conversation about golf, history, leadership, friendship, gratitude and leaving the game better than you found it.

Meet the Guest

Guest: Maulana Dotch, PGA
Profession: PGA Professional / Golf Facility Leader
Current Role: General Manager, Hermann Park Golf Course
Known For: Second Black woman to earn PGA Membership and first Black woman PGA Member to serve as general manager of a golf facility
College: Bethune-Cookman University

Maulana Dotch’s career in golf is a story of perseverance, leadership and the lasting influence of mentorship. Introduced to the game by her father, Emanuel, Maulana played on the boys’ golf team at Irving High School before continuing her competitive career at Bethune-Cookman University.

Her journey eventually led her into the PGA of America, where she became the second Black woman to earn PGA Membership. She went on to serve as Head PGA Professional at historic Cedar Crest Golf Course in Dallas before making history again as the first Black woman PGA Member to serve as general manager of a golf facility.

Today, at Hermann Park Golf Course in Houston, Maulana continues a career defined not simply by achievement, but by creating opportunities for others and passing forward the mentorship that helped shape her own life.

Connect with Maulana on LinkedIn or follow her on Instagram.

Episode Highlights

How Maulana’s father, Emanuel, introduced her to golf—and refused to let her quit
Playing on the boys’ golf team before earning a scholarship to Bethune-Cookman
The mentors who shaped her journey, including Leonard Jones, Ira Molayo and Renée Powell
Becoming the second Black woman to earn PGA Membership
Making history as the first Black woman PGA Member to serve as a golf facility general manager
The remarkable history of Hermann Park Golf Course and what it means to lead there
Why mentoring girls and young women has become a personal responsibility
How Journey Through 18 is creating access, community and opportunity for the next generation