Nigerian ex-international attacker, Peter Osaze Odemwingie has opened up on the chain of events that saw him become a professional golf player few years after enjoying a very successful football career, sports247.ng reports.
Speaking in the wake of his formal certification by Professional Golfers Association (PGA), the former Super Eagles winger, who was fondly called Osaze during his playing days, said he developed interest in the flickers’ game during his days at Stoke City of England.
Born in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, to a Nigerian father and Russian mum on July 15, 1981, Osaze later grew up in Nigeria, where his passion for football developed and he soon started playing for AS Racines of Lagos, a lower division team owned by esteemed players’ representative, Emmanuel Ibru.
Osaze eventually had a sublime career that took him to Bendel Insurance FC of Benin City, La Louvierre of Belgium, Lille Metropole of France, Lokomotiv Moscow of Russia, Cardiff City of Wales as well as West Bromwich Albion, Stoke City, Bristol City and Rotherham United of England.
However, rather than continue in the sphere of football after hanging his boots in 2018, the son of two medical doctors opted for a new lease of life on the golf course, and he has now recalled how the adventure began like a joke.
He disclosed the genesis of his passion and stated that his biggest target is to see Nigeria’s flag flutter brilliantly on the golf course, as he opened up at length in a trending documentary aired by British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC).
Osaze said, “My dream is to have the Nigerian flag on the elite level of golf. On the tour, I see all flags there, no Nigerian. No, something needs to be done.”
The mulatto star, who last played professional footballer in 2018 and retired at Madura United of Indonesia, will clock 44 years old this July, which would almost coincide with the date he got his PGA licence, and Odemwingie said he is happy with the new direction in his life.
“(I am now) a PGA professional. (It began) when I was in Stoke, and the magic of golf brought us together. The camaraderie grew a lot, and we took that to the football pitch as well.
“I thought it was easier to master this game, but it’s not. (However), the challenge drew me to it,” he reflected with a glitter in his eyes and delightful glee on his lips.
The former all-action star, who was a major attraction during the early days of AS Racines’ camp at Apapa, Lagos, under the guidance of former Julius Berger FC of Lagos goalkeeper, Patrick Adjekhughele (aka Flying Cat), then spoke about the benefits of being a golf player and challenges that go with it.
Osaze reasoned, “You battle your thoughts in golf a lot. Mental strength is very much needed … probably more than football and any other sport.
“Nobody could believe in the beginning that I could make it to the professional ranks, but I did. Participation in golf has been growing in the last few years. I am sure golf will become more competitive, just like football has become, over the years.
“It’s not as accessible in poorer nations as in developed countries, but it’s getting better and, hopefully, my story will encourage other people to start participating.”
The footballer-turned-golfer concluded with words of advice on how people can make the game grow further across the world, especially back home in Nigeria, where he reckoned that closer attention by parents could see many youngsters take to the game at an early age.
“(I want to) encourage parents to take their kids and give them a feel of golf. I am sure many of them will fall in love with the game as I did. I think a lot of people just need an opportunity.
“Once the opportunities are there, we know ourselves, as Nigerians, if you give them an opportunity, they usually do well. (So, my message to them is) go and try. Go to a place where you can hit a few golf shots, and I’m sure, when you hit it well, you’ll want to come back,” Odemwingie assured with enthusiastic affirmation.
