Golfer of the Week – Chichiro Ikeda

Davao City’s Chihiro Ikeda, 18, has plans of turning professional by playing in the Ladies Professional Golf Association qualifier in September.
Her decision came after winning the individual gold medal in the SEA Games in Laos to finish a fruitful 2009 campaign with a big bang with help from the coaching staff of the International Container Terminal Services Inc., the company that bankrolled Ikeda and other outstanding golfers in the country. Ikeda helped the national team to win the gold medal and end the 14-year women’s golf domination by Thailand.
When the news broke out last month that Ikeda won the gold medal, she hogged national headlines again on a victory that can no longer be denied after years of training and exposure abroad.
And this early, she has also set her eyes on winning another gold medal when the country sees action in the Asian Games this November in China.
All of the accomplishments, like winning abroad and in the local women’s golf circuit, are marveled at by Davao golfers.
Edi Herrera, tournament director of the annual Mayor’s Cup Charity Golf Tournament and owner of the Caffe Firenzo along Quirino Avenue, just a walking distance from Edge Davao -The Business Paper’s office, says it is a good decision by Ikeda to turn professional.
“She practiced diligently to improve her game and now she is very good at it. I’m sure she will succeed,” he said.
Dr. Manuel Garcia would be more proud as a Dabawenyo if Ikeda becomes the first player from Apo Golf and Country Club to compete in the LPGA circuit in the U.S.
“I support whatever her decision is, whether she remains an amateur, or turns pro as long as she plays golf,” he said.
But lawyer-golfer Edipolo “Bal” Sarabia Jr. thinks that Ikeda may be too young to turn pro. The world of professional golf is pressure-packed, and he says that the 18-year-old golf sensation’s plan to turn pro “is too early”.
“There are a lot of professionals waiting to become great. Some made it after a long period of time, some are still waiting,” he pointed out, adding that he does not want to sound too pessimistic over the prospects of the young Dabawenya athlete.
But should Ikeda push through with the plan to turn pro, Atty.Sarabia wishes her the best. [Moses P. Billacura with DSA photo]