Golf Icon, Dottie Pepper, Brings Contemporary Christian Music to her Hometown

Golf fans may remember Dottie Pepper’s dominant outing at the 1999 Nabisco Dinah Shore tournament where she shot a record 19-under par to win her second major title. Followers of the sport may recognize Peppers from her extensive commentating career on the Golf Channel and CBS.

Some may not know that the Saratoga native was the first ever walking reporter allowed at the Masters in 2020. 

Now Peppers says she has received a tap on the shoulder. 

Through a culmination of efforts, Peppers, along with Peggy McQuade has organized two unique contemporary Christian concerts in her hometown of Saratoga. 

This calling, Peppers said, she really started listening to during the pandemic.

“I would not have considered myself much of an active Christian until probably more toward a decade ago. But this whole Christian music thing for me kind of blew up [my faith],” Peppers reflected. During “the Covid Summer we were the first major sport to go back on television. I essentially drove across the county, and I was by myself and this music kept me rooted and positive.”

Two years ago, Peppers hosted a concert in her backyard featuring Josh Baldwin, a Christian singer-songwriter. 

Since that informal gig, Peppers, Baldwin, and David Leonard, an artist in the same genre as Baldwin, have been trying to coordinate schedules to bring their music to the Spa City.

This year those efforts come to fruition; on September 19 Baldwin and David Leonard are coming to the Universal Preservation Hall for “Voices to God.” 

Additionally, on September 11, the inaugural “Worship in the Pines” is coming to Saratoga Performing Arts Center. This all-day festival of contemporary Christian artists is one Peppers hopes becomes an annual event like Jazz or Outlaw Fest. 

“I think there’s an element that music becomes a more powerful messenger than the spoken word,” Peppers said. “It’s more about getting the music and the message out of a particular building and out among the masses. That is what we’re trying to do here, especially to bring this music to Saratoga.”

For more information on the lineup for “Worship in the Pines” or to buy tickets go to, worshipinthepines.com. To purchase tickets to “Voices to God” go to, atuph.org.