At Darius Rucker Intercollegiate, spotlight shines on women’s golf

Editor’s note: This story originally appeared on GolfChannel.com. The Darius Rucker Intercollegiate is the first all-women’s regular-season college event to be showcased live on Golf Channel. You can watch coverage, Monday-Wednesday, from 2:30-5:30 p.m. ET.

By Emilia Migliaccio

I crave challenges. Hence, I became a golfer and started competing in tournaments at 9 years old. Competition ignited my desire for that adrenaline rush, a feeling that pulses through my body when I step on the first tee. This week, however, I’m not competing. There will be a microphone in my hand, a headset over my ears, and I will be reporting on one of my favorite college tournaments of the year – the Darius Rucker Intercollegiate.

Two more aspects make this story special to me. One, I have the privilege of reporting on my alma mater, Wake Forest University. My teammates, who I still see every day, will be fighting to defend their title – which we won by 26 shots two years ago – and reclaim that prestigious Darius Rucker guitar trophy. Two, Golf Channel continues to pave the way for change by televising this women’s collegiate event and I am honored to play a role.

On-course reporting has spurred a new perspective for me on storytelling. When I write news and feature stories, I am thoughtful, creative, and considerate with my words. Live reporting requires that same amount of effort, but with a significant time crunch. I change pace from writing a story in a couple of hours to telling a piece of a story in a matter of seconds. When I compete in a golf tournament, I work to quiet my mind and focus on the golf shot at hand. I try to get into a zone, or flow state where I’m in tune with my body and mind and can endure the challenges golf offers –