Today we’d like to introduce you to Kyla Bursey.
Kyla, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My dad started playing golf the year that I was born, so naturally, he wanted to pass his new skill along. I didn’t like golf until college. It was always something I did to spend time with my dad, and by contract. I had to play golf if I were to participate in any other sport. That was the deal with my dad. I tried playing basketball, but an injury always cut my seasons short. I kept playing basketball until I transferred schools for junior year in high school. I played golf during my freshman, sophomore, and senior years.
Upon graduating from high school, the deal with my dad ended. He left me with one seed, however. I hadn’t yet reached my potential in the sport. That seed blossomed into me walking on the golf team at Rhodes College. I sucked. I averaged a good 98. I had been playing golf my entire life, but I never trained in the sport. That’s why it doesn’t matter how long you’ve been playing golf. What matters is your score.
I went to college wanting to be a nurse practitioner. After my first year, I wanted to pursue professional golf. I found love for the sport and wanted to improve. During my freshman summer, I had a personal trainer and four golf coaches, including my dad. That fall, I dropped my score to an 82 average. This score was the team average during my first year, so I thought I was ready for the starting five. Yet, we’d gotten eleven new first-year students. The team average dropped to the high 70s. I thought I failed. The team atmosphere wasn’t helpful either. I became depressed and ended up taking a mental-health break from the team in the spring. I started therapy to help me navigate the moment.
I planned to return to the team for junior year, but I tore my meniscus two weeks before returning to school. I was doing jumping jacks in the gym, nothing serious. I got surgery and completed physical therapy. I didn’t feel supported by the coach or team, so I decided that it was best to focus on finishing school. I never thought I’d pursue golf again.
I am a first-generation college graduate with a bachelor’s in computer science (CS). I graduated in May 2024. After graduating, I felt so lost. I studied so hard that I became burned out before starting senior year. I enrolled in Rhodes’ new entrepreneurship program to have a break in my CS coursework. This program made me reconsider furthering my education in CS. Prior, I wanted to get a doctorate in systems engineering. I finished my bachelor’s, but media became my new career interest.
In my last fall semester, I delivered a TEDx talk in addition to enrolling in the entrepreneurship courses. This combination inspired the Hikylabur Podcast. I produced season one during the senior spring. I challenged myself to release weekly episodes reflecting on how to build a life, not only a career. I focused on how we, the listener and I, could realize our potential while protecting our mental health. When I graduated, I decided to lean into the podcast. Season two was interview-style, with the same focus, but featuring other people’s stories. It was a fun experience, but I needed a break. The production process was overwhelming, and I wasn’t making a profit. I had also just graduated from college with a degree that was waiting for me to use it.
My last episode was almost a year ago, on August 26, my birthday. I decided to take a break to heal and refocus. Golf became an outlet. I may have left the team, but I didn’t completely abandon my clubs. I started truly playing for me. My game grew, and my interest in a career in golf was reborn. Nevertheless, I still felt loss. Also, shoutout to my parents for allowing me the space to reflect and ease into my career.
Over the past year, I’ve applied to countless CS jobs, worked three part-time jobs, and launched Hikylabur Golf. I didn’t know how I could have a career in golf. Still, I needed to sustain myself. I launched Hikylabur Golf on May 1 to commemorate Mental Health Awareness Month. Since launching, I’ve taught over 40 students, hosted seven golf clinics, and secured an instructor membership at Melrose Golf Club here in Nashville. Yesterday, I just got back from playing in The Social Links Tour in Canada. The key was to keep moving forward.
I’m not where I want to be yet, but I’m on my way. I don’t know where I’ll be a year from now. This time last year, I wouldn’t have imagined my life to be like this. I thought I’d have to wait years to start teaching or playing better. I just had to get started and keep going. I have faith that everything will work out for the good.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
In college, I burned out often. I like to call myself a recovering overachiever, for I had no balance. It’s okay to want to be and do your best. Yet, you can’t neglect yourself. Despite the awards, high GPA, and accomplishments, my parents always told me that “if you’re not okay, then nothing else matters.” Their support and therapy helped me through some very low moments.
We mention first-generation college students, but no one discusses its mental challenge. My parents and sisters all went to college, but didn’t finish. I always had the thought, “what’s going to happen to stop me from finishing.” College is hard enough. Even so, my parents’ support was invaluable. My dad made sure that I didn’t have to work to support myself financially. I was able to pursue on campus positions that contributed to my interest in systems engineering.
Hikylabur Golf wasn’t in this year’s vision. I started teaching to complete the applicant requirement for the Ladies Professional Golf Association’s Teacher Education Program (LPGA TEP). You have to have at least three months of work experience in the golf industry to become an official applicant. I applied to roles at a few golf courses but didn’t get those either. In this case, rejection redirected me to bet on myself.
Working for myself has been freeing, yet it can be scary sometimes. I’m figuring it out as I go. I struggle with whether I’m doing the right thing sometimes, but all I can do is my best.
As you know, we’re big fans of Hikylabur LLC. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Hikylabur LLC encompasses golf, media, and community engagement. Hikylabur (HKB) is a play on my name, Kyla Bursey, and “high caliber,” inspired by my experience with finding balance. Golf is more than a sport; it’s a platform for connection. I launched Hikylabur Golf with a vision to see more underrepresented communities in golf, especially young adults. There is a gap in Nashville for approaches to increase representation in golf. There are initiatives for youth, like First Tee and Golf House TN. There are professionals who find golf later in life. Then, there are those whose parents introduced them to the sport. There are limited points of entry for young adults.
Inspired by my lack of peers in the golf community, I launched Hikylabur Golf and LONE. HKB provides solo and group sessions, organized clinics, and golf events. I call all lessons sessions, because training with me is more than swing mechanics. Sessions are an opportunity to slow down, relax, and connect with yourself–through golf, pace, and grace.
LONE is a social event that combines wellness with community. LONE stands for Love One Never Escapes, redefining the word (a)lone with a positive connotation. We may find ourselves alone sometimes, but there is love within all of us. That love is the love we can never escape. Together, we can be LONE. There’s a movement component (yoga and/or pilates), a space to be social, and curated music to match the vibe. I hosted the inaugural LONE Social at Melrose Golf Club on July 12. There will be more in the fall. These efforts are all centered around finding balance.
I do more than teach golf. I curate spaces for people to unwind and connect with themselves and others.
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
I love the growth in Nashville. There are some amazing people moving to the city, and I love the creative communities. I least appreciate the country-music focus. The music scene in Nashville extends beyond that stereotype.
Pricing:
- the Crew Session (2-4 people) $150
- New Grown Session (21+) $100
- Grown Solo Session (21+) $90
- new Sleeve package (1 new + 2 solo sessions) $268
- the Sleeve package (3 solo sessions) $258
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.hikylabur.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hikylabur/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyla-bursey/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Hikylabur/videos
