Amateur golfer Matt Vogt has seen his dental practice thrive after qualifying for the US Open at Oakmont Country Club, where he once worked as a caddie. Vogt’s incredible journey from wielding dental tools to swinging golf clubs culminated in him securing a spot at the prestigious tournament via qualification last week.
The 34-year-old, who ranks 1,173rd in the world among amateurs, chose dentistry over professional golf seven years ago but was lured back by his passion for the game. His entry into the elite 156-player field at the US Open has unexpectedly turned the spotlight on his Indianapolis dental practice. Despite his golfing success, Vogt, who started his own practice in 2018, remains dedicated to his work and patients.
He said: “I started my own practice in 2018 and that was an insane amount of work obviously, just starting any business. I love my patients. I’d like to think they love me as much as they can love a dentist.
“I think they’ve gotten a ton of enquiries. Again, I’ve got such a great team, I’ve got friends helping me out with all those messages and enquiries.
“It’s been a lot of fun, some patients reaching out and fellow dentists. I feel like there’s so many people behind me this week – Oakmont, Pittsburgh, dentistry. It’s been fun.”
Reflecting on his past decisions, Vogt revealed his focus was always on education rather than the fairways: “I really never had any aspirations of playing professional golf. I went to Butler University and played very briefly on the golf team and then decided to focus on school.
“Honestly, maybe I didn’t dream big enough or maybe, I don’t know, I just never quite had it. I played around a lot of guys who you could tell had it and had a chance to make a shot at professional golf. It never really crossed my mind.”
Returning to the course where he once caddied for five years, Vogt will be facing an emotional rollercoaster during this tournament, especially given that it comes two months following his father Jim’s passing from colon cancer.
With the critical Sunday round aligning with Father’s Day, Vogt will surely be reflecting on his late dad throughout his game. “It’s definitely on my mind. Even walking up the ninth fairway today after signing some autographs for some little kids, I kind of looked up and thought about it,” Vogt said.
“Anyone who’s lost a parent, you feel these brief spurts of emotion, I think, from time to time.
“Although I wish he was still here with us, and yes, I’m sure this weekend will be emotional, there’s a sense of peace among our family and I hope he’s at peace as well because it was hard.”
His past experience caddying for members at Oakmont gives Vogt a special edge in terms of familiarity with the course.
“So we got to play Monday nights and honestly, we did not appreciate that as much as we should have,” he reflected. “Reading the greens now, just being a different person, player, golfer, I feel like, again, it’s hard – like sometimes using your eyes out here doesn’t work.
“So trying to use your feet, trying to look from the sides really as you’re walking up and around the greens, it’s different than just maybe telling someone, a 10 handicapper, ‘hey, kind of hit it up in here and have fun.'”