[1][5] His father was a successful businessman who was deeply involved with the introduction of sports to Bilbao at the beginning of the 20th century, practicing football, athletics, sailing and golf.

[1][6] The book Veranos en el Cantábrico (Summers in Cantabria) delves into the family album of the aristocracy and upper bourgeoisie who spent their holidays in the Basque Country, Cantabria, and Asturias, and includes a picture of Íñigo in the arms of his mother Sofía in Ereaga [es] and another shows the little Iciar on board of the yacht "María del Carmen", property of the Count of Cadagua, amidst a group of girls, governesses and a sailor from the ship.

[4] Together with his brother Javier, he became the leading Spanish amateur golfer, as well as one of the best players in Continental Europe, displaying a great competitiveness between them both on and off the course.

[4] Notably, Luis Ignacio faced his younger brother in eight consecutive Puerta de Hierro National Cup finals, winning three of them in 1932, 1935, and 1941.

[3] He also won the national Amateur Championship three times in 1941, 1943, and 1945, beating Agusto Batlló and Santiago Ugarte in the latter two finals.