When Enrico Gallardo was growing up, it seemed his future was already written: Take over the family business, carry the legacy, and eventually build one of his own. His parents raised him with that path in mind — involving him early, passing down the skills, and shaping his mindset for entrepreneurship.

But then, at the Alabang Country Club in 2003, a young Enrico picked up a golf club — and everything changed.

“I still remember that first clean hit. It was magic,” Enrico recalls with a smile. “That feeling... it hooked me instantly. I just wanted more of it.”

It wasn’t just the swing or the sound of the ball. It was the fire lit by watching Tiger Woods dominate the majors on TV — Pebble Beach, Augusta, St. Andrews. And it was a quiet word from a legend. “Ben Arda once told me I had a natural swing. That stuck with me.”

That moment marked the beginning of a dream Enrico refused to let go.

A deal with his parents

Like many young dreamers, Enrico had to confront the weight of expectations at home. His mother, in particular, was hesitant about his decision to pursue golf professionally.

“She wanted me to stick to business,” he says. “So we made a deal — if I earned my tour card, I’d go all in. If not, I’d walk away.”

He qualified.

“And from that moment, they’ve been all in with me, too,” he says. “They’ve supported me in every way.”

Now, the 29-year-old is making his mark on the China Tour, grinding week after week, one round at a time, chasing the elusive dream of becoming one of the best in the world.

The grind behind the glory

While Enrico has yet to lift a professional trophy, his breakout moment came during the ICTSI Duel — a Ryder Cup-style event featuring the country’s top 20 players from the North and South.

“I was a rookie going up against champions and veterans… and I went undefeated,” he says, still sounding in awe. “That showed me I belong out here. That I can win.”

It was a turning point — not just for his career, but for his confidence.

“Moments like that, they fuel you,” he says. “Golf pulls something out of you. Even when the results aren’t there, you just keep grinding. You don’t focus on the doubt, you focus on the dream.”

Still, the mental game remains his toughest opponent.

“There are days when you’ve given everything, and it still feels like nothing’s working,” he admits. “Then you start hearing people ask, ‘How long are you going to keep chasing this?’ And those voices start creeping into your own head.”

His response?

“Silence the noise. Trust your process. And pray for strength.”

Between two worlds

Enrico speaks openly about the emotional tightrope he walks — balancing his passion for golf with the pressure to prove it’s all worth it.

“There’s that pressure to succeed not just for myself, but to show my family that this choice wasn’t a mistake,” he shares. “Sometimes when I’m close to winning, I feel like I’m forcing it — trying too hard to justify my path.”

But over time, he’s learned to quiet those thoughts. “I remind myself — maybe it’s not that they doubt me. Maybe they just see the world differently. Business is structured. Golf isn’t. But that doesn’t make it any less valid.”

He still helps with the family business whenever he can, especially when his parents ask. “It’s my way of showing gratitude for all their sacrifices.”

Looking ahead

Enrico knows there’s a future for him in business — someday.

“I’ve already started something of my own, but right now, my heart is fully in the game,” he says. “When the time is right, I’ll shift gears. I’ll bring the same passion and discipline into that world.”

And to young athletes like him, those torn between expectations and dreams, Enrico has this to say:

“Be honest with yourself. Set goals. Give yourself space to grow. But don’t let go of your dream too easily. You never know how far you can go until you give it everything you’ve got.”

Because for Enrico Gallardo, golf isn’t just a game. It’s purpose. It’s process. It’s faith.

And he’s all in — one shot at a time.