Story & photo by Mike Besa
The ascension of a golfer, or any athlete for that matter, is akin to climbing a ladder. For golf, the ladder starts with junior golf, then transitions into collegiate/amateur golf to competing on an international stage up to the point where the golfer turns professional. For most, that is a process of two decades or so but every so often, you get someone special. Someone that vaults up the ladder like a superhero. Someone that does the unexpected.
When you meet him, Ira Alido seems like any other 16-year-old. He’s got braces on his teeth, is soft spoken and well-mannered. He seems very fit with a solid upper body and strong legs. He’s got a golf resume that you won’t believe.
Alido picked up golf at age 6; his dad, Bong, is an avid golfer and was more than pleased when Alido showed a knack for the game. More than a knack, actually. At golf, Alido is a phenom. He’s been winning tournaments since he was 9. He’s a veteran of the major US junior championships; the Junior Worlds, the US Kids; Alido’s been to them all.
As he grew stronger, his game blossomed under the tutelage of his Coach Mic Que. He went on a tear in 2016 when he won the Philippine Junior Match Play, the 6th PGA Junior Tour Jack Kramer Memorial in California and the 22nd W Express RVF Cup Amateur Golf Championships in early-2017 along with notable finishes in a host of other international championships.
At this point, the young Alido was on top of the world and with a long wait from the RVF Amateur to his next big tournament, the Southeast Asian Games in September. He began to contemplate turning pro. That’s a huge decision for a 16 year old.
His dad, Bong, knew his son had the talent but was hesitant to throw a teenager into the world of professional golf. They agreed that Alido would play the Philippine Golf Tour’s (PGT)qualifying school and his performance there would underpin any career decisions that would be made for the young Alido. All doubt was eliminated when he finished third. After more soul searching, the mold was cast, Alido would turn professional in time for the start of the 2017 PGT earlier this year.
In the early part of the season he showed flashes of brilliance. In his very first round as a professional at the PGT stop at the Orchard Golf and Country Club, Alido shot four-under par 68 to open his account. It wasn’t quite Tiger Woods’s “Hello world!” but it made a statement.
Unfortunately, he came crashing back to earth on the next day. I spoke to him about it and he cited woes with his short game and poor putting. Then at the stop in Forest Hills, stellar play the first three days saw him close to the lead of veteran Tony Lascuña. He held steady and made the championship flight but again he faltered.
Results like this are just the tip of the iceberg of this young man’s potential. His swing is as aesthetically beautiful as it is technically efficient. His clubhead speed, is North of 110 miles per hour, which makes him very long for his size. He reached the second green on Orchard’s Palmer Course effortlessly then stood up and drained the birdie putt. He’s long enough to hang with the big boys. Perhaps not as long as the very longest on Tour but then he’s as long as he needs to be.
The scary bit is that he’s still growing and should continue to get longer as he gains physical strength. His game into the greens is just as impressive; he has a great iron game and he’s very confident with his putter to boot.
If he has a weakness, it is variety with his short game but this is something that he’ll develop with practice and experience. That’s really all Alido needs to succeed on Tour. Experience. He is already ahead of the game with an extensive resume and the confidence of a champion. Look for success to flow as he matures in the game.
In the meanwhile, he’s one to watch. His talent and skill are undeniable. It’s a matter of time before he breaks through on Tour.
Image credits: Mike Besa