Family Spotlight: Meet the Doggendorf Family
By Josh Hudson
This month, Stroll the Georgia Club spotlights the Doggendorf family. Both Matt and Amberly Doggendorf have lived in Georgia for most of their lives. Matt was born in Philadelphia but moved to Fayetteville, GA when he was five years old. Amberly Doggendorf was born in Athens, GA but she primarily grew up in Oconee County, where she has been a resident for most of her life. Both Matt and Amberly are proud Alumni of The University of Georgia.
The story of Matt and Amberly finding each other is best told by Matt, who loves recounting the tale of the summer that they first met.
Their story began in the summer of 2001…not with a bold introduction, but with a quiet admiration during their time at the University of Georgia. Matt found his summer calling as a lifeguard at the serene Jennings Mill Country Club. Amberly, a frequent guest of the club, often observed Matt from a distance, particularly fascinated by the casual, almost rhythmic, way he would twirl his lifeguard whistle around his fingers while perched high on his stand. That simple, magnetic gesture under the sun was the spark that kindled her interest and set the stage for their love story to unfold.
Matt and Amberly are now happily married and have been blessed with 3 wonderful children: Landon, Lex, and Lakelyn. Landon is a Senior at North Oconee High School; Lex is in 7th grade at Dove Creek Middle School; and Lakelyn is in 4th grade at Dove Creek Elementary.
For work, Matt is a VP of Risk Management for Synchrony Financial. Amberly, on the other hand, enjoys being a stay-at-home mom and helping at her parents’ wedding venue Vintage Oaks Farm.
The Doggendorf family joined The Georgia Club in the summer of 2019, primarily for the pool amenities. “We have since come to highly value the club's social programming,” adds Matt. “Some highlights include the annual Independence Day fireworks, the Santa Brunch, and various Ladies social events.”
The Doggendorfs love to stay active in their community in any way they can. Firstly, they have been faithful members of Prince Avenue Baptist Church since 2008 and actively support various local organizations, including Lydia’s Place, Hope 139, and the Pollack Family Foundation.
Matt further contributes his time to the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, where he leads worship at FCA “huddles” at Rocky Branch and Dove Creek Elementary.
In their free time, Matt and Amberly are enthusiastic spectators all of their kid’s many sports (soccer, basketball and most recently flag football). Amberly maintains an active lifestyle and enjoys working out, walking, reading, and socializing with friends, while Matt pursues his musical passion by playing guitar and singing in the 90s tribute band known as “BTBTE” (formerly “Better Than Better Than Ezra,” until a certain "cease and desist" letter mandated a more concise moniker). You might catch them performing locally at venues such as Wire Park or The Foundry!
