Maulana Dotch had already met Lee Elder. It was during her playing days at Bethune-Cookman and the late "Cy" McClairen took her and a teammate to an event in Orlando. Dotch and Elder would meet again years later at an NAACP event.

Dotch had also been to Augusta before. 2012. Amazing? Following Tiger Woods each day. Sitting at Amen's Corner watching the groups play through. Even the famed inexpensive concessions tasted great. And at the gift shop, Dotch was "like a kid in a candy store."

Seeing Elder again and returning to Augusta had much meaning recently.

As Elder, the first African-American to play in the Master's in 1975, made the ceremonial tee shot to begin the tournament, Dotch watched as part of an official group of 12 African Americans recognized for their historical contribution to the game.

In January, Dotch was named General Manager of Herman Park Golf Club in Houston, becoming the first African-American woman PGA Member to hold that position.
 

Talk about a lifetime moment.

"I had a wave of emotions," Dotch admitted. "I was, of course, excited to be there. Then when you sit back and take in what the moment truly meant, it's a feeling happiness to see Mr. Elder being honored, sadness because you think about how he was treated and what he had to go through just to get there in 1975, not even 50 years ago.

"Then you have this pride because you see his strength and drive that he still has that made him who he is," Dotch added. "I was thankful and grateful to him, and stood then to show my support and appreciation to him and his accomplishments."

Dotch also allowed herself a moment of reflection in her journey. Some of us never get to realize the trail we're blazing. 2021 has been a defining moment for her.

"I have been looking at it like a farmer and her harvest," Dotch said. "I feel like the work I've done up to this point is being recognized especially with my new position.  I am truly grateful and it is nice to be recognized. I feel like I have a great harvest for my work so far.

"At the same time, I know I need to get back in and continue this work but on a new level. I am in a position to help other black men and women get into the golf industry," Dotch added. "My plan is to continue to plant seeds, and mentor, be that avenue to get more young people into the golf industry."

After a brief playing stint of the Symetra tour, Dotch's trailblazing began in 2010 when she became just the second African-American woman to become a PGA Member. Before Herman Park, Dotch spent 12 years at Cedar Crest Golf Course in Dallas.

At Bethune-Cookman, Dotch led the Lady Wildcats to four victorious PGA Works Championships, winning individual honors her senior year. In 2018, Dotch and the late Dr. Gary Freeman were the first two golf program representatives to be enshrined the B-CU Athletic Hall of Fame.

"I have a sense of pride about myself that was developed at Cookman that I hold dear and love. There is a special experience that you only get from attending an HBCU," Dotch said. "I more than anything to believe in myself and abilities. And to not be afraid of hard work, because you have to work at what you want to achieve. I have kept that within and the back of mind to this day."