This month, the AJGA Trailblazer Spotlight Series highlights four new hires in the Communication Department of the AJGA – Hayden Hanslik, Lily Joyce, Emily Kmiec, and India Ricks. The four women started with the AJGA full-time as Managers, Communications in the fall of 2024 and have grown accustomed to their roles. They work closely together to showcase the AJGA through many facets including social media, marketing, tournament communications, brand management, sponsor activation.
Hanslik, Kmiec, Joyce and Ricks came to the AJGA with varying degrees of sports and media experience and were eager to share their journeys and goals for their futures with the AJGA.
Tell us about your background?
Hanslik: I grew up in Houston, Texas and went to school at the University of Oklahoma. I majored in psychology and marketing. I was a competitive dancer growing up for 12 years and a huge fan of baseball and football.
Kmiec: I’m from Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and sports have been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. Growing up, I played basketball and softball, and in college, I picked up golf—a sport I’ve stuck with ever since. I graduated from Grove City College in 2024 with a degree in Marketing.
Joyce: I grew up in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, right on a golf course, so the game was a big part of my life from the start. Both of my parents played, and while I was interested, I told my dad the only way I’d play was if I got cute golf clothes and pink clubs—of course, he agreed. I started playing competitively at 12 and quickly developed a real passion for the game, which ultimately led me to pursue college golf. I played at Coastal Carolina University, where I earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sports Communication with a minor in New Media and Digital Culture.
Ricks: I am from Atlanta Georgia. I majored in sports media at the University of Alabama and graduated in 2023. Growing up, I played softball competitively, and watched baseball, football & basketball pretty heavily as well.
What was your path to working in sports?
Hanslik: I’ve always known that I wanted to pursue a career in sports, my dad played college football so from a young age I was immersed in the sports world. When it came to choosing a career path in the industry, it didn’t really hit me until my junior year that the marketing and communications world was where I thrive. I loved every course I took and began to really take my work seriously.
Kmiec: I initially started college as a Political Science major but switched to Marketing during my sophomore year. It wasn’t until my senior year that I began seriously considering sports as the industry I wanted to work in. Before my final year of college, I had a conversation with my parents about my career aspirations. My mom reminded me of the old saying: “If you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life.” I’ve always loved being around sports, and with my knowledge and passion for the industry, pursuing a career in sports communications just made sense.
Joyce: Prior to college, I knew I wanted to work in golf but wasn’t sure whether I wanted to play professionally or pursue a career in the industry. During my first two years at Coastal, I majored in Digital Culture and Design. Halfway through college, I felt burnt out on golf and dissatisfied with my major, so I knew I needed to make a change. I decided to leave the golf team and switch my major to Sports Communication. I discovered my passion while working as a photographer and content creator for Coastal Athletics, and in the process, I also rekindled my love for the game of golf. That’s when I knew my true calling was in communications and media within the golf industry.
Ricks: I always knew I wanted to work in sports, just really didn’t know in what capacity. I’ve always enjoyed writing and telling stories so naturally it just blended. I’ve always been fond of sports and just a huge fan of the sports world. Seeing how many careers there are in the industry really attracted me to the possibility of working in sports.
Did you have any interest or experience in golf prior to the AJGA Internship?
Hanslik: I played golf recreationally growing up, and of course kept up with the PGA Tour, but a career in golf, especially in communications, was never something I really thought about.
Ricks: Before the internship, I had zero interest or experience in golf. It may have been one of the few sports I knew least about, however I saw the opportunity on Teamwork Online, and I was looking for something after I graduated to gain experience, and it was a blessing that I didn’t know was coming.
Talk about your AJGA Internship experience. What were some of your favorite memories?
Hanslik: I had the absolute best team in the world – team 4 spring of 2024. We started our journey in the Bay Area and traveled down the state of California – ending in Arizona. I wouldn’t trade those memories for the world. From stopping on the Santa Monica Pier on a drive for lunch to Pizza Parties in Copper Valley, I truly underestimated the relationships you build with your teammates over the internship, and my team still keeps up with each other to this day. Fun fact – my internship comms partner is now my fulltime comms partner [Kmiec].
Kmiec: I had the opportunity to do both the spring and summer Communications Internship in 2024, and I have a favorite tournament from each. In the spring, my favorite tournament was in Copperopolis, California. One of my favorite memories from that week was when one of the local families took my intern team out on their boat—we spent the evening tubing and watching the sunset over the lake, which was an unforgettable experience. In the summer, my favorite tournament was in Hilton Head, South Carolina. The committee there was fantastic, and my team even got the chance to play Harbour Town Golf Links, where the RBC Heritage PGA Tour event is held.
Joyce: I can truly say that my internship in the summer of 2023 was the best experience of my life. From meeting eight strangers at AJGA HQ to traveling over 4,000 miles across the U.S. with them, we ran junior golf tournaments featuring some of the best young players in the world. My favorite places surprised me—Fayetteville, Arkansas, and Copperopolis, California. It was incredible to explore the University of Arkansas campus, and getting to run a tournament at Blessings Golf Club was amazing. We also celebrated my birthday while in Copperopolis, and I loved the small-town feel and the wonderful host families who were so special and accommodating.
Ricks: The internship was honestly some of the best times I’ve had in my life. My spring intern team was mainly in the southeast. My favorite tournament in the spring was in Sevierville, Tennessee and we got to visit Gatlinburg during our day off and that was just so much fun. My team was very close, we just naturally clicked on the road. Some of my best friends were made on the internship last spring, and we continued to stay friends as I transitioned to becoming a Hybrid Communications Assistant in the summer of 2024 and now full-time.
What have been the biggest skills you’ve learned from the AJGA as an intern & full-time?
Hanslik: I think the internship really taught me how important adaptability is. Things can change on the fly and the way you handle yourself and your actions is super important. It really goes a long way with your teammates, fulltime staff, and even sponsors and families if you are able to work through challenges and come out on the other side.
Joyce: There is never a task that is beneath you. Whether it's a full-time staff member or an intern, everyone at the AJGA is always willing to step in and get the job done. It was awesome to witness as an intern and even more rewarding to be a part of it now.
Where do you see yourself in 5-10 years?
Joyce: I have always been very passionate about my career and constantly set new goals for myself. I’ve always said that I want to work for the PGA TOUR in their communications department, creating content inside the ropes for their social media. However, with how fast the golf industry is growing, new opportunities are always emerging, like TGL. That concept is amazing, and I could also see myself being a part of it in the future.
Kmiec: The next logical step in my career would be to work for the PGA Tour, as it aligns closely with my experience and interests. However, I’m also open to switching sports in the future. If I were to transition to another industry, I could see myself working in either the NHL or NFL, as both are sports that I’m passionate about.
What advice would you share with someone who is looking to breakout into the sports communications industry?
Hanslik: Always be willing to learn and grow. The easiest way to be successful in this industry is staying open to new ideas, experiences, and perspectives. Everyone has their strengths and weaknesses, so be willing to learn from those around you to better improve your own skill set.
Kmiec: To break into sports communications, build strong writing, speaking, and digital media skills while gaining hands-on experience through internships or freelancing projects. Networking is also key, so connect with industry professionals. Lasty, stay informed on industry trends and find a niche that can help set you apart in this competitive field.
Joyce: Gain as much experience as possible, each opportunity will teach you valuable lessons that you can carry into your future career. When I was searching for jobs in sports during college, I reached out to friends and teammates, who pointed me in the right direction and helped me get my foot in the door with sports communications. Everyone has to start somewhere.
Ricks: My best advice would be to go do an internship and gain experience coming out of college. I wish I could’ve done more during my time at school because companies really value that. Also just having that day-to-day experience is so beneficial. Just work hard and you’ll get there!
