Ever wish you could travel the world, play golf and get paid for it? So did Gia Bocra. Now she’s actually doing it. The New Jersey native beat out 1,500 applicants last fall to be named the new host of The Wandering Golfer, now in its third season on the Fine Living Network.

“I’m just beside myself,” says Bocra, who replaces Chad Maulsby. “It’s almost surreal to get this job. I’m hoping to bring a different sense of style and fashion to it, make it a little more female friendly and add some feminine flair.” Her first episode, which takes her to Florida, will air April 15. Destinations in future shows include New Mexico, Maine, New Zealand and Costa Rica.

“Her number one job is having fun,” says Kent Takano, vice president of programming for the Fine Living Network. “The show is about everything you do between swings. Guys will appreciate that she’s attractive and can play better than most of them. At the same time, she will make it more appealing to women. The fact that her personality is so disarming will help both on and off the course.”

While the only thing Bocra has ever hosted before is a dinner party, the 30-year-old brings a wealth of golf experience. For the past three years, the graduate of Rutgers University (where she captained the women’s golf team) was an assistant pro at Trump National Golf Club in New Jersey. Previously she had worked with highly regarded instructors like Todd Anderson, Mike Adams and Krista Dunton. Her experience taught her about the importance of communication, which she’ll apply to her new gig.

“My ability to talk to students and get them to open up helped me teach them more effectively,” says Bocra, who took acting classes after college. “Golf and travel are my passion, and I’m looking forward to talking to different people on the show about what perks their interests.”