Ashley Mayo, age 22, did not pick up a golf club until she was in ninth grade. She even admits that she did not love the game – at first. But then the pieces fell in place for Ashley and she went from the University of Virginia women's golf team to Assistant Editor at Golf for Women magazine in a few short years. I know you will find Ashley's insights about how golf has shaped her career and her life absolutely inspiring.

Ashley, let's start at the beginning. Where were you born? Where did you grow up? Did anyone in your family play golf?

I was born in New York City in 1985. I have an identical twin sister, Kira, and an older brother, Oren. But I really have to start with my mom. She was born in Cuba and came to the United States when she was twelve years old. She came here with no friends or family and lived in foster homes until she was old enough to work and support herself. She never took anything for granted. She believed – and taught us – that if you knew what you really loved, somehow it would all work out. When my sister and I were growing up, we never thought about golf. We were busy taking ballet, skiing and tennis lessons and swimming on our school's swim team. But my mom always wanted us to have all the opportunities and experiences she didn't have growing up – and that turned out to include golf as well.

What is your earliest memory of golf?

I remember it perfectly. My sister and I were in ninth grade. It was the winter of 1999 and our family was vacationing in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. We were eating lunch at a local sports tavern that had many TVs one of which was showing a PGA Golf tournament. Tiger was on fire and made playing golf cool. So Kira and I decided to take a lesson. My sister and I are good athletes and could hit the ball pretty well from the start. But we didn't love golf.

What made you stay with it and what happened next?

Our mother saw our potential and kept pressing us to stick with it. In tenth grade we played our first tournament and then... we were hooked! My sister and I moved to Florida to finish high school. We played on the boys' team in tenth grade but recruited enough girls to create our very own team. Without Kira, I don't think my game would have improved. We played and competed all the time. As soon as school was over, we would head to the course. On any given day, either one of us could beat the other. I would encourage every young golfer to recruit a friend or sibling to play with. During those three years in Florida, we met our teacher, Robert Baker, in Miami. He took us from the mid 90s to the low 80s.

Tell us how you landed a spot on the University of Virginia women's golf team?

In our junior year of high school during Christmas week, we were playing in a very well known junior tournament at Doral Golf Club in Miami. The University of Virginia had decided to start a women's golf team that next season (in 2003) and the coach, Jan Mann, was there looking at the players in our tournament. Kira and I were not the best young women golfers, but she liked the way we handled ourselves on the course. She offered us both a spot on the team and we accepted without even visiting the school or looking at other opportunities. It helped that we knew about the university from our dad who graduated from UVA.

Did you ever think about becoming a tour player?

During spring break one year, our team played with LPGA Tour player, Laura Diaz. That's when I briefly thought about it. But I came to golf late and didn't think I had enough tournament experience. Even solid swing fundamentals will not help if you crumble mentally. Golf is a four-plus hour competition; not a one-minute freestyle swim. I didn't want to risk turning golf from a game that I loved into a job. It may sound strange, but for me, golf is intensive relaxation – it's relaxing but stimulating at the same time.

Once you ruled out a professional golf career, what were your other career choices?

When I started college in 2003, I thought I wanted to become a doctor and, consequently, took pre-med courses. My sister is currently a first-year med school student at UVA. But after two years, I began taking English courses and loved them, especially the class I took on literary editing. That led to work as a reporter-writer at a local newspaper and a decision to pursue writing and editing as a career. I was following my mom's advice by finding something I loved to do.

What led to your position as Assistant Editor at Golf for Women?

During my junior year, I decided that I would like a summer internship as an editor and thought about one where I could also combine it with my interest in golf. No one will just find you. You have to think about what would be a good fit and go after it. So I sent my resume with a cover letter to Susan Reed, Editor-in-Chief of Golf for Women magazine. I had missed their deadline for a summer position, but my letter was kept on file. Later that year, I received a call from Susan inviting me to come for an interview as Assistant Editor. I really prepared for the interview. I think it's important to have confidence. If you like what you are doing it will show. Two weeks after the interview, I was offered the position.

How does being a good golfer help you in your position as Assistant Editor?

I hope everyone reads Susan's explanation of what an editor does. Different types of magazines require different types of knowledge and experience from their editors. We are a golf magazine, so it helps tremendously to be a player. I really think that if a girl can mesh athletic ability – being a good golfer –with smarts, she's golden. And playing golf teaches so many other important personal qualities that transfer to places outside the golf course. I really learned how to manage my time when I had to balance team practice with school work. And knowing how to compose yourself on the 18th hole prepares you for whatever life throws your way. Golf also helped me realize that no matter how good or successful you think you are, you can always be a little better. If I am not a little scared – out of my comfort zone – once every couple of weeks, then I am not working hard enough. That's the Mayo Theory.

Talking about comfort zones: What's your hardest shot on the golf course?

A long bunker shot – about 60 yards – where I have to hold the green.

Ten years from now, do you think golf will still play a role in your life?

I’m lucky that my first job out of college also happens to be my dream job. In 10 years I hope to still be here. I honestly can’t imagine my work if it didn’t involve golf.

What Does an Editor Do?
by Susan K. Reed, Editor-in-Chief, Golf for Women

Being the editor-in-chief of a magazine is a little like being an orchestra conductor. Think of it this way: a conductor stands before a diverse group of musicians—violinists, flutists, cellists, trumpet players, even drummers. The conductor’s job is to direct the players with the goal of bringing all the sounds into harmony, producing a beautiful piece of music.

It’s the same with magazines except at Golf for Women the "players" are the editors, writers, photographers, art directors, photo editors, production staff, copy editors and even the fact checkers who check every sentence and fact that goes into the magazine.

A lot of people are involved. When we start planning an issue, the editors in charge of various sections – such as instruction, equipment and fashion – propose the products and stories they think would be best for the issue. Talking and working with them, I decide on the final lineup of stories. Then the art staff goes to work assigning photographers and illustrators for each story. The photos and text are put together by the art staff, who “lay out” a story, using their expertise in type and design to create something visually interesting. All the layouts and stories end up on my desk for final approval.

Here’s the most important part of being an editor-in-chief of a magazine. At every step of the process, I’m thinking about our readers. If the editor truly understands the readers, and delivers the magazine they want, then everyone wins!

WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT?
Who works at a magazine?

Look for the "masthead" in a magazine; you’ll find it near the front. It lists all the important people and departments of the publication. There are usually two mastheads: one for the editorial positions and another for the publisher (including advertising and sales). If you like magazine but have little interest in writing or editing, you may be interested in working on the business side.

Want to know even more about Golf for Women magazine? VISIT www.golfforwomen.com

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