In between her coverage of the U.S. Women’s Open at Riviera and the Curtis Cup at nearby Bel-Air Country Club in Los Angeles, broadcaster Emilia Doran flew to Chicago for a U.S. Women’s Amateur qualifier.
It was as brutal of a turnaround as it sounds.
“I think everyone knew that but me,” she said with a laugh.
The 27-year-old Doran certainly appears indefatigable. She famously played in the 2023 U.S. Women’s Open at Pebble Beach in the morning wave, and then put her clubs away to walk another 18 with mic in hand.
Covering 30 tournaments a year – on the ground and in the booth – at everything from college events to majors, while maintaining a competitive schedule is enough to inspire the legions of young players at universities trying to figure out
what’s next.
Somewhere in the midst of it all, Doran also finds a way to give back, whether it’s playing casual rounds with young players near her North Carolina home or serving on the boards of the First Tee, Greater Charlotte and Girls Golf of America.
It’s no surprise then, that Doran has been chosen as the second recipient of the Annika Inspiration Award presented by Cleveland Brothers.
Along with the honor, Doran is given a chance to award money to the charity of her choice. She has chosen to donate $5,000 to the First Tee of Greater Charlotte; $5,000 to the Peggy Kirk Bell Girls Golf Tour, which she played; and another $5,000 to Autumn Solesbee’s charity event that raises funds to support children in foster care and adoption thorough the Children’s Home Society of North Carolina.
An additional $10,000 of her award funds will go toward providing tournament stipends for players competing in the AJGA Girls Junior All-Stars Championship.
“Emilia is an excellent example of how the lessons and opportunities we gain through the game of golf can shape not only who we become, but how we choose to make a difference in the lives of others,” said LPGA great Annika Sorenstam in a release. “Through her mentorship, advocacy for girls’ golf, and commitment to creating opportunities for the next generation, she is making a meaningful difference both on and off the course. Emilia truly embodies the spirit of the Annika Inspiration Award, and we are thrilled to honor her as its second recipient.”
At Wake Forest, Doran, who played under her maiden name, Migliaccio, was a four-time All-American and helped the Demon Deacons win the program’s first NCAA Championship in 2023. The former Curtis Cup player nearly won the North and South Women’s Amateur this past summer, coming up short in the championship match. She has also become an annual favorite at the U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur.
Wake coach Kim Lewellen looks at the talent on that 2023 team – which included four players who now have LPGA status – and points to the confidence they helped breed in each other. Doran had a bachelorette party at a dinner the week of the NCAA Championship and told her teammates that if they won it all, the championship trophy would be the centerpiece at her wedding.
“And sure enough it was,” said Lewellen, “three weeks later.”
Doran applies that same tenacity and vision to her journalism career. Her work spreads across Golf Channel, NBC Sports, SiriusXM and PGA Tour Live. After interviewing Ryan Fox following his win at the 154th British Open at Royal Birkdale, Doran flew to Pennsylvania to work in the booth as an analyst at the U.S. Junior.
“It’s usually condensed from March to October,” said Doran of her work schedule. “You want to be busy then. I definitely don’t take it lightly. It’s a blessing to have this ability to work.”
Two years ago, Doran hired retired sports broadcaster Jill Montgomery as her talent coach. They analyze her work each week.
“The reason I’ve been able to get better at my craft is because of her,” said Doran.
Getting the call to be an on-course reporter at the Augusta National Amateur felt “Iike the walk of my dreams,” said Doran, who nearly won the tournament as an amateur with her mom on the bag.
The past two years she has worked the Masters for SiriusXM, finishing up her assignments in time to watch Rory McIlrory walk up on the 18th.
No two days are alike in Doran’s world. It can be both overwhelming and exhilarating. She’s grateful for a husband who can travel sometimes and a path to stay in the game she loves.
Always looking for something to work toward, Doran will head from the Annika driven by Gainbridge, where she’ll be recognized for her award, back home to run a half marathon in Charlotte.
“I kind of wanted to see how fast I could push myself,” she said.
No surprise there.
Beth Ann Nichols is a senior writer for Golfweek covering the LPGA and all things women's golf. Follow her on X/Twitter (@GolfweekNichols).
This article originally appeared on Golfweek: Annika Sorenstam honors golf broadcaster Emilia Doran with 2026 Inspiration Award
