Ike attended Abraham Baldwin Agriculture College in Tifton, Georgia, where he earned two Associates of Applied Science degrees, both of which he graduated Phi Theta Kappa. These degrees were in Landscaping Design and Ground Maintenance, and in Golf Turf Management. He also was recognized with the Divisional Award of Excellence in the division of Agriculture and Forest Resources at ABAC during the 1996-97 school year. Ike is also a Georgia Master gardener and has a B.S. degree in Organizational Management.

Ike interned at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, where he got hands on training from some of the best gardeners in the world. He completed his internship at The Farm Golf Course in Rocky Face, Georgia, where he worked under the supervision of Tim Kennelly, a true professional in Golf Turf Management.