Kentaro Ikegami joined Pratt as head men's golf coach in August 2026. A practicing artist and lifelong competitive golfer, Ikegami brings a distinctive perspective to the Cannoneers — one that pairs the discipline of sport with the creative and analytical rigor that defines the Pratt community.

"We are thrilled to welcome Kentaro to Pratt as our head men's golf coach. His unique background as both a highly competitive golfer and an accomplished artist makes him a perfect fit for our institution," Director of Athletics Walter Rickard said. "Kentaro understands the unique balance of creative focus, discipline, and dedication our student-athletes bring to the classroom, studio, and course. I am confident his leadership and passion for the game will help grow our golf program and provide a tremendous experience for our Cannoneers."

Golf has been central to Ikegami's life since his days at the Maret School in Washington, D.C., where he earned a starting spot on the varsity team as a freshman and later drew interest from collegiate programs. He ultimately chose to pursue an education in the arts — a path that gives him a firsthand understanding of the student-athletes he will coach: artists and designers balancing a demanding academic workload with a love of the game. 

A dedicated player who holds a 5.0 handicap, Ikegami has also coached at several golf summer camps and counts being recruited by World Golf Hall of Famer Isao Aoki as a highlight of his youth.

"If a leading art school like Pratt, in a city like New York, had offered golf when I was applying to colleges, I would have been a Cannoneer without hesitation," Ikegami said. "Golf has given me relationships I can't imagine my life without, and more than that, a way of reading the world I use every day. What you shoot is only the front nine of this game — I want my athletes ready to play the back nine," 

Beyond the course, Ikegami is an accomplished visual artist with an extensive international exhibition record. He holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the Ontario College of Art & Design in Toronto, Canada, and a Master of Arts from the Slade School of Fine Art at University College London.