CHEVY CHASE, Md. – Two months ago Emilia Migliaccio was competing for a national championship alongside her Wake Forest teammates at Grayhawk Golf Club in Scottsdale, Arizona.
On Friday, she’ll make her on-course reporting debut for Golf Channel during the quarterfinal and semifinal rounds of the U.S. Girls’ Junior at Columbia Country Club in Maryland.
“I’m most excited for how everything’s live,” Migliaccio said while walking the hilly course just outside the nation’s capital during the Round of 64 on Wednesday. “I’m excited to challenge myself to commentate right away. You can’t really do much preparing so I’m excited to take my skills to the next level.
“I feel like I’m good at answering interview questions, but when it comes to commentating on a shot, I’ve done a lot of listening. I’ve watched a lot of golf, but it’ll be really interesting to just see how I do and I’m really excited for it.”
It came as a surprise to most who follow college golf when the Cary, North Carolina, native announced she wouldn’t be pursuing a professional career. Migliaccio was a two-time All-American and won five events in her four years at Wake Forest, including the 2019 ACC Championship. She was a gold medalist both as an individual and in the team event at the 2019 Pan American Games. This year Migliaccio became the only American to be selected to four Arnold Palmer Cup teams.
Instead of chasing the LPGA, she’s been covering the tour as an intern for Golf Channel.
“When I’m writing I feel a really strong connection to the players,” said Migliaccio, “even though they don’t necessarily know me.”
The 22-year-old is living out her dream, and working hard to do so. She’s going to grad school at Wake Forest and will be a teacher’s assistant, working 20 hours per week. On top of that, she’s going to intern in the athletic department, all while still writing for Golf Channel.
This time last year Migliaccio made a run to the quarterfinals of the U.S. Women’s Amateur, just up the road at Woodmont Country Club in Rockville, Maryland. When the pressure was on, she delivered. With an infectious personality and impressive work ethic riding shotgun, expect that game to travel to the broadcast.