Know Your Bulldog: Peng Pichaikool
February 12, 2019 | Men's Golf
By Austin Coats, Student Assistant/Communications
Â
After a tough round of qualifying on a cold and windy day at Mossy Oak Golf Club, Mississippi State men's golf junior Peng Pichaikool is reminded of why he loves playing golf.
Â
"You get a new challenge every day," Pichaikool said. "It's not the same thing every day. You go out to the course, there are so many variables that you have to rely on."
Â
A Bangkok, Thailand, native, Pichaikool's love for the game started at a young age, watching his father, Sukkho "Pop" Pichaikool, play as a professional on the courses of Asia.
Â
"I followed him to every tournament, and then I decided I wanted to play," Pichaikool said.
Â
Pichaikool insists his father did not force him to play golf, but that as he played more, he developed the same passion for the sport that his father had.
Â
"[My dad] always enjoyed playing tournament golf, and it's just the same thing for me," he said. "I enjoy going to tournaments and playing golf. He loved to teach me, loved to come see me when I played. That's fun for our family."
Â
His father coached him into one of the top Thai talents as a teen. In 2013, when Peng was 13, Thai Golf News reported that he was driving the ball 300-plus yards.
Â
"That's insane," MSU men's golf assistant coach Charlie Ewing said.
Â
Six years later, Pichaikool is a junior with the Mississippi State men's golf team and is ranked among the top collegiate golfers in the nation.
Â
However, when you are from the other side of the globe, your opposition is not your only challenge. At its shortest, the distance between Starkville and Bangkok is 9,134 miles.
Â
"It's such a huge move for a kid to come all the way across the world to a university to study," MSU men's golf head coach Dusty Smith said. "I feel like I try, as a head coach, to always ask him how he's doing and how his family is and make sure he's okay."
Â
Along with support from his coaches, Pichaikool's love for the game is his driving force. His success and ability to overcome obstacles reflects advice his father gave him.
Â
"He just said do whatever and just enjoy it," Pichaikool said. "In everything you're going to have hard times, you're going to fail. Just enjoy it."
Â
Â
After a tough round of qualifying on a cold and windy day at Mossy Oak Golf Club, Mississippi State men's golf junior Peng Pichaikool is reminded of why he loves playing golf.
Â
"You get a new challenge every day," Pichaikool said. "It's not the same thing every day. You go out to the course, there are so many variables that you have to rely on."
Â
A Bangkok, Thailand, native, Pichaikool's love for the game started at a young age, watching his father, Sukkho "Pop" Pichaikool, play as a professional on the courses of Asia.
Â
"I followed him to every tournament, and then I decided I wanted to play," Pichaikool said.
Â
Pichaikool insists his father did not force him to play golf, but that as he played more, he developed the same passion for the sport that his father had.
Â
"[My dad] always enjoyed playing tournament golf, and it's just the same thing for me," he said. "I enjoy going to tournaments and playing golf. He loved to teach me, loved to come see me when I played. That's fun for our family."
Â
His father coached him into one of the top Thai talents as a teen. In 2013, when Peng was 13, Thai Golf News reported that he was driving the ball 300-plus yards.
Â
"That's insane," MSU men's golf assistant coach Charlie Ewing said.
Â
Six years later, Pichaikool is a junior with the Mississippi State men's golf team and is ranked among the top collegiate golfers in the nation.
Â
However, when you are from the other side of the globe, your opposition is not your only challenge. At its shortest, the distance between Starkville and Bangkok is 9,134 miles.
Â
"It's such a huge move for a kid to come all the way across the world to a university to study," MSU men's golf head coach Dusty Smith said. "I feel like I try, as a head coach, to always ask him how he's doing and how his family is and make sure he's okay."
Â
Along with support from his coaches, Pichaikool's love for the game is his driving force. His success and ability to overcome obstacles reflects advice his father gave him.
Â
"He just said do whatever and just enjoy it," Pichaikool said. "In everything you're going to have hard times, you're going to fail. Just enjoy it."
Â
Players Mentioned
/ Men's Golf
MEN'S GOLF | NCAA Post-Round 1 - 5/16/23
Tuesday, May 16
Dusty Smith Press Conference - 5/7/21
Friday, May 07
Ford Clegg OWCC
Friday, March 26
Garrett Johnson's OWCC Interview
Thursday, March 25