Golf is one of the most beloved sports worldwide. From city courses to countryside greens, people everywhere wait for the perfect day to tee off. Many dream of sinking the winning putt at the Masters or competing against golf’s best players, but for most, it remains just that: a dream.
For one Hoosier, that dream is real. Matt Vogt, a full-time dentist and passionate golfer, is living it. Out of 10,000 hopefuls vying for a place in the U.S. Open, Vogt rose to the occasion and secured one of just 156 spots. His incredible and inspiring journey is capturing attention across the country.
Originally from the Pittsburgh area, professional golf was never Vogt’s mission in life. He began golfing in high school when he started working as a caddie at Oakmont Country Club near his home.
He then went on to attend Butler University as an undergraduate, where he also played on the golf team. Vogt stepped away from the team after three semesters to focus on school and his future career in dentistry.
After graduating from college, Vogt established his dental practice in 2018. Around the same time, he married his wife, Hilary, and today they have a 15-month-old daughter. It was also then that he started playing golf again, finding a way to balance his career, family life and renewed passion for the game.
“I started my dental practice from scratch back in 2018, and it’s been a lot of work, truly an insane amount of work,” Vogt says. “One thing I want to say clearly is how much I appreciate my team at the office. They’ve been incredibly supportive through all of this. Over time, the practice has grown. Our patients have been amazing; they refer their friends and family, and I’ve been lucky enough to reach a point where I can dedicate time to pursuits outside of the office. I’m really grateful for that.”
Since returning to the game, his passion has been reignited and his focus more precise than ever. The discipline he developed in other areas of his life has translated into newfound success on the course.
“In golf, and honestly, in life, you often fail more than you succeed,” Vogt says. “That’s just the reality. So I think it really comes down to having the right mindset. Every time you step onto the golf course, or anytime you go after something that goes against the grain or isn’t considered ‘normal,’ there’s a good chance you’re going to fail or face resistance. But that’s where resilience comes in, especially in golf. It’s something you build over time.”
This year, Vogt achieved a bucket-list moment, qualifying for the U.S. Open as an amateur. Against a fiercely competitive field, he secured a coveted spot in the tournament. Fittingly, it was held at Oakmont, the very place where his golf journey began, bringing his story full circle. He was even given the honor of hitting the tournament’s opening tee shot.
Vogt’s run came to an end on Friday, June 13, after posting rounds of 82 and 81, finishing 23 over par. While he didn’t make the cut for the weekend, the experience was no less extraordinary.
As for going pro? Vogt is content remaining an amateur, valuing the balance between his passion for golf and his career as a dentist.
“That ship sailed a long time ago. I never seriously considered going pro,” Vogt says. “I’m definitely a late bloomer when it comes to pursuing golf. No matter how the weekend at the Open goes, I’ll be back seeing patients right after. That’s just the reality.”
No matter what the future holds, Vogt hopes people remember that it’s never too late to pursue what you love.
“I want people to know that it’s never too late to chase your dreams,” Vogt says. “It’s never too late to try something new, pick up a hobby or spend time doing something that brings you joy. You can have a great career, a great family, you can take care of people, like I do in my practice, and still pursue something you’re passionate about on the side.
“It takes intentionality and sacrifice, like we talked about. But if sharing my journey inspires even one person to go after something meaningful to them, then that means everything to me.”
Discipline, sacrifice and hard work are often seen as the foundation of success, and Vogt exemplifies them all. His golf journey has been filled with highs and lows, but he continues to push forward. He stands as a powerful reminder that with daily dedication and a relentless drive to improve, anything is possible.
For more information about Matt Vogt, visit his practice’s website at thedentistsatgc.com/about/dr-vogt.
