The Back of the Range

Matt Vogt - Mid-Am Qualifies for U.S. Open

December 26th, 2025  |  1 hr 15 mins

amateur golf, ben adelberg, butler university, competitive golf journey., cranberry township, dentistry, gasparilla invitational, golf career balance, golf qualifier, jones cup, matt vogt, mental toughness, mid-amateur golf, oakmont country club, pressure in sports, reinstated amateurs, the back of the range, u.s. open 2025, usga, wine valley golf club

The guest on this episode of The Back of the Range is Matt Vogt, a dentist and accomplished mid-amateur golfer who earned one of the most memorable stories in 2025: qualifying for and competing in the U.S. Open at Oakmont. The conversation covers Vogt’s journey from a modest upbringing in Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania, to his college golf days at Butler University, and his later-life resurgence into competitive amateur golf. He recounts his U.S. Open Qualifying experience, the emotional significance of his late father during that run, and the whirlwind aftermath of suddenly finding himself part of golf’s biggest stage. Vogt offers candid reflections on balancing a demanding professional career in dentistry with elite-level amateur competition, sharing how he relies on supportive colleagues and flexible scheduling to make it work. He opens up about nerves, lessons learned, and the surreal experience of teeing off at Oakmont in front of thousands—a moment where adrenaline met disbelief. The discussion also touches on broader themes in amateur golf: the evolution of college recruiting, the rising standard of competition, the mid-amateur “fraternity,” and the ongoing debate about reinstated former professionals competing in mid-am events. The conversation ends lightheartedly, with banter about future tournaments like the Gasparilla Invitational and the Jones Cup, showing Vogt’s grounded personality and enthusiasm for competing with his peers.