From College Golf to Golf Channel
2/23/2022 8:00:00 AM | Women's Golf
From playing at Wake Forest to reporting for the Golf Channel, see how Emilia Migliaccio’s preparation changes from playing an event to reporting on one.
I first watched my team from the sidelines on Sept. 26 at the Bryan National Collegiate. The range and putting greens were flooded with players in their university colors as I squinted my eyes, searching for Old Gold & Black.
I found most of my teammates and wrapped my arms around them in a huge hug, wishing them good luck. As I stood on the side of the first tee box, I watched my former coach, Ryan Potter, calmly stand there in support with each of my teammates.
Yes, I still call them my teammates and probably always will.
I smiled to myself when he made them laugh and remember how a few short months ago I experienced the same laughter, excitement and adrenaline.
It felt different to watch my team, and not feel the same rush of endorphins I felt as a competitor, but the passion and love felt for my teammates and coaches, and desire for them to succeed, rang even higher. It gave me so much joy to cheer for a team that brought me the best college memories of my life.
On Feb. 28, the first day of the Darius Rucker Intercollegiate next week, I get the privilege of taking my support towards my team to an entirely new level.
Last year I was hired by Golf Channel as an on-course reporter and was asked to be a part of the broadcast team for the Darius Rucker. I could not have been more thrilled to report on the first televised women's college event, and to make it even more special, to report on the first televised women's college event that my team will be competing in.
The last time I stepped foot onto Long Cove Country Club in Hilton Head, S.C., Wake Forest's women's golf team was victorious.
We won the tournament by 26 shots, and I was fortunate enough to individually win one of my favorite tournaments in college golf. This year, however, I will not be warming up on the range and competing the way my teammates will be.
My warm-up and competition round will look a little bit different:
Warm-Up
While my teammates are getting loose and hitting balls on the range, I am studying my notes in my yardage book.
In preparation for reporting, I take notes on where players are aiming off the tee, where golf balls will most likely land in the fairway, and any tricky spots on the green. Additionally, it's critical that I understand the appropriate distance on where to stand so I can see the live action but not stand too close where I can't speak into the microphone in a normal voice.
A player's warm-up is all about getting in the zone and into a competitive focus.
My focus as a reporter looks a little bit different.
While players are dialing in their body and mind, I am observing their preparation. I will specifically observe the players I know I am going to report on for that day, which is at least eight, and ask questions to their coaches about their games and character traits.
When players start to tee off, I will follow various groups and ask myself specific questions:
An hour before live coverage begins, I put on my uniform.
Instead of a Demon Deacon, my shirt has the Golf Channel logo. Rather than golf clubs, my equipment is my headset and microphone.
The competition round has already begun for my teammates, but my competition round has just started.
Competition
Every player has heard the phrase "every shot counts," and understands the importance of their mental, physical, and technical strengths when they step on the first tee.
For me, as an on-course reporter, my focus begins on most players' back nine because live coverage begins in the afternoon.
While my teammates are working to quiet their mind and focus on the golf shot at hand, I am actively listening to five different voices in my headset - the producer, the tournament play-by-plays (sometimes there are two), the analyst, and the other on-course reporter.
Sometimes I hear up to three voices at the same time.
As I am listening to the producer, I have to come up with engaging plot lines in a matter of seconds before voices in the booth begin to speak and they say my name.
When it is my turn to speak, my job is to think about all the elements a viewer cannot see, such as the lie of the golf ball, a player's angle to the flag, the strength of the wind and any slope in the green.
As a former player, I work on highlighting the best parts about a golfer's game.
When golfers hit poor shots, I give the audience context to why the shot or putt did not work out, rather than criticizing the player. I understand the thrill, adrenaline, pressure, and pure joy of a competitive golf round just like I understand the pressure, anxiety, challenging, and frustrating parts that come with trying to reach peak performance.
I may not be competing on the Wake Forest golf team this year, but I am lucky to be a part of an incredible broadcast team.
Just like on a golf team, during a live broadcast, each member has to work together to create the best production possible.
My competition will end around 5:30 p.m. and I hope that will consist of me reporting the final shots of my former teammates, who will soon become my current teammates when I tee it up wearing the Old & Gold & Black next season.
I found most of my teammates and wrapped my arms around them in a huge hug, wishing them good luck. As I stood on the side of the first tee box, I watched my former coach, Ryan Potter, calmly stand there in support with each of my teammates.
Yes, I still call them my teammates and probably always will.
I smiled to myself when he made them laugh and remember how a few short months ago I experienced the same laughter, excitement and adrenaline.
It felt different to watch my team, and not feel the same rush of endorphins I felt as a competitor, but the passion and love felt for my teammates and coaches, and desire for them to succeed, rang even higher. It gave me so much joy to cheer for a team that brought me the best college memories of my life.
On Feb. 28, the first day of the Darius Rucker Intercollegiate next week, I get the privilege of taking my support towards my team to an entirely new level.
Last year I was hired by Golf Channel as an on-course reporter and was asked to be a part of the broadcast team for the Darius Rucker. I could not have been more thrilled to report on the first televised women's college event, and to make it even more special, to report on the first televised women's college event that my team will be competing in.
The last time I stepped foot onto Long Cove Country Club in Hilton Head, S.C., Wake Forest's women's golf team was victorious.
We won the tournament by 26 shots, and I was fortunate enough to individually win one of my favorite tournaments in college golf. This year, however, I will not be warming up on the range and competing the way my teammates will be.
My warm-up and competition round will look a little bit different:
Warm-Up
While my teammates are getting loose and hitting balls on the range, I am studying my notes in my yardage book.
In preparation for reporting, I take notes on where players are aiming off the tee, where golf balls will most likely land in the fairway, and any tricky spots on the green. Additionally, it's critical that I understand the appropriate distance on where to stand so I can see the live action but not stand too close where I can't speak into the microphone in a normal voice.
A player's warm-up is all about getting in the zone and into a competitive focus.
My focus as a reporter looks a little bit different.
While players are dialing in their body and mind, I am observing their preparation. I will specifically observe the players I know I am going to report on for that day, which is at least eight, and ask questions to their coaches about their games and character traits.
When players start to tee off, I will follow various groups and ask myself specific questions:
- How is the course playing today?
- Are there any difficult hole locations?
- How are the golfers that I'm reporting on playing today?
- What are their tendencies?
An hour before live coverage begins, I put on my uniform.
Instead of a Demon Deacon, my shirt has the Golf Channel logo. Rather than golf clubs, my equipment is my headset and microphone.
The competition round has already begun for my teammates, but my competition round has just started.
Competition
Every player has heard the phrase "every shot counts," and understands the importance of their mental, physical, and technical strengths when they step on the first tee.
For me, as an on-course reporter, my focus begins on most players' back nine because live coverage begins in the afternoon.
While my teammates are working to quiet their mind and focus on the golf shot at hand, I am actively listening to five different voices in my headset - the producer, the tournament play-by-plays (sometimes there are two), the analyst, and the other on-course reporter.
Sometimes I hear up to three voices at the same time.
As I am listening to the producer, I have to come up with engaging plot lines in a matter of seconds before voices in the booth begin to speak and they say my name.
When it is my turn to speak, my job is to think about all the elements a viewer cannot see, such as the lie of the golf ball, a player's angle to the flag, the strength of the wind and any slope in the green.
As a former player, I work on highlighting the best parts about a golfer's game.
When golfers hit poor shots, I give the audience context to why the shot or putt did not work out, rather than criticizing the player. I understand the thrill, adrenaline, pressure, and pure joy of a competitive golf round just like I understand the pressure, anxiety, challenging, and frustrating parts that come with trying to reach peak performance.
I may not be competing on the Wake Forest golf team this year, but I am lucky to be a part of an incredible broadcast team.
Just like on a golf team, during a live broadcast, each member has to work together to create the best production possible.
My competition will end around 5:30 p.m. and I hope that will consist of me reporting the final shots of my former teammates, who will soon become my current teammates when I tee it up wearing the Old & Gold & Black next season.
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Tuesday, September 30
Coach Jake Dickert Press Conference (Sept. 29, 2025)
Monday, September 29
Sept. 27, 2025: Coach Jake Dickert Postgame Press Conference Following Game vs. Georgia Tech
Sunday, September 28