The @ASUMensGolf program has added Koichiro Ishika to the 2017-18 roster, as the Kakogawa, Hyogo (Japan) native has signed with the Sun Devils.
He has reached as high as No. 13 on the American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) rankings and was an AJGA Polo second-team All-American in 2015. He advanced to the Round of 16 Match Play at the 2015 U.S. Junior Amateur, and was the winner at the 2014 AJGA Under Armour Gary Woodland Championship and the 2015 HSBC China Junior Open. He also had strong finishes at hte 2015 AJGA Thunderbird International (third), the 2015 AJGA Rolex Tournament of Champions (16th) and finished 75th in the 2014 Casio Wold Open, a professional event on the Japan Tour.
"I've followed Koichiro for a couple years now and I've seen him play a lot of great golf," says Sun Devil first-year head coach Matt Thurmond. "He's worked hard to get his game and language skills to the point to attend ASU and I'm proud of him for what he has already accomplished and excited about what the future could hold for him here at ASU. He has excellent golf skills and a fun personality."
A graduate from Clark Memorial International High School in Japan, Koichiro attended IMG Golf Academy in Bradenton, Fla., and is the son of Seiichiro and Rumi.
"I'm looking forward to my four years at Arizona State University and being coached by whom I think are two of the best in the nation in Coach Thurmond and Coach Williams," notes Ishika, who will turn 19 in November. "As a part of prestigious team, I will try to do my best on and off golf course and hope to contribute to win NCAA titles. Go Sun Devils and Forks up!"
He has reached as high as No. 13 on the American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) rankings and was an AJGA Polo second-team All-American in 2015. He advanced to the Round of 16 Match Play at the 2015 U.S. Junior Amateur, and was the winner at the 2014 AJGA Under Armour Gary Woodland Championship and the 2015 HSBC China Junior Open. He also had strong finishes at hte 2015 AJGA Thunderbird International (third), the 2015 AJGA Rolex Tournament of Champions (16th) and finished 75th in the 2014 Casio Wold Open, a professional event on the Japan Tour.
"I've followed Koichiro for a couple years now and I've seen him play a lot of great golf," says Sun Devil first-year head coach Matt Thurmond. "He's worked hard to get his game and language skills to the point to attend ASU and I'm proud of him for what he has already accomplished and excited about what the future could hold for him here at ASU. He has excellent golf skills and a fun personality."
We welcome @KoichiroIshika to the @TheSunDevils family! pic.twitter.com/xaDiDXeiPA
— ASUmensgolf (@asumensgolf) April 13, 2017
A graduate from Clark Memorial International High School in Japan, Koichiro attended IMG Golf Academy in Bradenton, Fla., and is the son of Seiichiro and Rumi.
"I'm looking forward to my four years at Arizona State University and being coached by whom I think are two of the best in the nation in Coach Thurmond and Coach Williams," notes Ishika, who will turn 19 in November. "As a part of prestigious team, I will try to do my best on and off golf course and hope to contribute to win NCAA titles. Go Sun Devils and Forks up!"
Officially a Sun Devil!
— ??Koichiro Ishika?? (@KoichiroIshika) April 13, 2017
Thank you everyone who always support me! Go Sun Devils! @asumensgolf @IMGAcademy @AndyWadaGC #ForksUp pic.twitter.com/pHg9j5gTKZ