Get to Know

Get To Know: Dottie Pepper

LPGA Tour Player | CBS Sports Golf Reporter | Author

Get To Know: Dottie Pepper

Dottie Pepper, a two-time major and 17-time LPGA winner, is currently a lead walking reporter for CBS Sports’ golf coverage. She recently authored "Letters to a Future Champion" and offers insight that merges business, golf and life.

The First Call: You recently wrote a book, what’s it about?
Dottie Pepper: The book is a loving tribute to my mentor and PGA professional George J. Pulver Sr. The book is the foundation for my success, based on letters exchanged over a five-plus year period with Mr. Pulver as I transitioned from aspiring junior golfer in Upstate New York, to three-time All-American at Furman University, a 17-time winner on the LPGA Tour and now a successful broadcasting career approaching two decades in length. The values of mentorship, education, resilience and many more evergreen topics are addressed.

TFC: What is your handicap index?
DP: Professional.

TFC: In one sentence, describe what you do for a living.
DP: Lead walking reporter for CBS Sports’ coverage of the PGA Tour, Masters and PGA Championship, and main color commentator for CBS' LPGA coverage.

TFC: What time do you wake in the morning, and what time do you typically start the workday?
DP: Wake up time is whenever our nearly 1-year-old miniature schnauzer, Rupert, wakes up. His collar jingles between 6 and 6:30 a.m. Off and running on all cylinders from then on.

TFC: What are key elements to leadership or to being a good leader?
DP: Being an exceptional listener, working for the best product all can put forth, setting an example to be followed and standing up for yourself when your gut tells you that is a must.

TFC: What changes, if any, have you made based on the events of the past year?
DP: Flexible confidence as COVID mandates and protocols change. Catching the first flight (or nearly the first flight of the day) as to afford myself the maximum chance to get to my destination without massive disruption.

TFC: What's the secret to your success?
DP: Hard work, resilience and learning from the best.

TFC: Who is your role model?
DP: Judy Rankin.

TFC: Knowing what you know today, what professional advice would you give a younger you?
DP: Be a little easier on myself and those around me.

TFC: What’s the last book you read?
DP: “Total Power” by Vince Flynn

TFC: What’s the last movie you saw?
DP: “Star Wars” … December 2019.

TFC: What’s on your playlist?
DP: CeCe Winans, Tauren Wells and anything that fires me up for a 30-minute stationary bike ride.

TFC: When I’m not at work, you can find me … 
DP: In my garden or walking our dog.

TFC: What is your greatest extravagance?
DP: Three cars for two people. I am a motorhead. Been a car nut all my life. My grandfather came back from WWII and started an auto body shop and had collectibles. Three pairs of downhill skis are pretty ridiculous, too.

TFC: What was your path to the golf industry?
DP: Junior golf, amateur and college golf, professional golf on the LPGA Tour, then straight to broadcasting in 2004. Blessed.

TFC: What are the favorite golf courses you have played?
DP: If I had one round left to play in the U.S., then it would be Salem Country Club in Peabody, Massachusetts. My favorite walk in golf is the Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers — Muirfield, Scotland.

TFC: Which golf courses do you belong to (if you care to share)?
DP: The Loxahatchee Club in Jupiter, Florida.


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