Peter Odemwingie, the former Premier League striker renowned for his flair in the penalty box, has found a new passion on the golf course. The 43-year-old Nigerian international, who once dazzled fans with his footballing skills, now dreams of making his mark in the world of professional golf.
“It’s like watching David Beckham curl a ball with his right foot and Roberto Carlos bend one with his left,” Odemwingie says, describing the elegance of a perfectly struck golf shot. For someone who enjoyed a prolific career on the pitch, it’s no surprise that he likens his newfound love for golf to the artistry of football.
Odemwingie, who scored 36 Premier League goals during stints with West Bromwich Albion, Stoke City, and Cardiff City, also earned 65 caps for Nigeria and won an Olympic silver medal. But now, he has turned his focus to the greens and fairways as a new member of the prestigious Professional Golfers’ Association (PGA), an organisation steeped in history since its founding in 1901.
Meeting him at Aston Wood Golf Club near Birmingham, his enthusiasm for the sport is unmistakable. He reveals lofty ambitions, including competing on the PGA Tour and representing his country on the global stage.
“You have to have a dream and chase it, right?” he says with a confident smile. “I’m going to play in Q School and see how far I am from reaching that level. I’ll also compete in Open qualifiers next year. It’s possible. I have the talent.”
Odemwingie’s determination to succeed in golf mirrors the drive that made him a force to be reckoned with on the football field. His transition from football to golf has been fueled by a passion for the sport and a belief in his abilities.
“The magic of golf brought us together,” he reflects, highlighting the community and camaraderie he’s found in his new pursuit.
With dreams of competing at the highest level, Peter Odemwingie is proving that it’s never too late to follow a new passion and aim for greatness in a completely different arena.
Peter Odemwingie’s path to professional golf began in an unexpected place: the football dressing room. Born in Tashkent—then part of the Soviet Union and now the capital of Uzbekistan—to a Nigerian father and Russian mother, Odemwingie’s sporting story has taken him from scoring goals to sinking putts.
The former Premier League striker discovered golf after joining West Bromwich Albion in 2010, but it wasn’t until his time with Stoke City that his passion for the sport truly ignited.
“I fell in love with golf during my Stoke days,” he recalls. “The magic of golf brought us together. The camaraderie in the dressing room grew stronger because of it.”
At Stoke, Odemwingie and his teammates, including Peter Crouch, Glen Johnson, and Charlie Adam, often bonded over rounds of golf. Manager Mark Hughes encouraged the hobby by allowing time for the sport during overseas trips.
“We carried that bond onto the pitch and achieved great success as a team,” Odemwingie reflects, crediting the shared love of golf for strengthening relationships among the players.
The parallels between football and golf aren’t lost on the former Nigerian international.
“Both sports require precision and finesse,” he explains. “In football, the weight of a pass can be as crucial as the power of a golf putt. Scoring a last-minute goal felt incredible—just like holing a putt on the 18th to win a tournament.”
Since retiring from football in 2019, Odemwingie has embraced golf as a way to extend his professional sports career.
“My competitive spirit is alive and well,” he says. “The beauty of golf is that I can keep playing for many years. It’s a sport that lets me maintain my status as an athlete.”
What began as a hobby has now evolved into a new chapter for Odemwingie, as he chases success on the fairways with the same determination that brought him fame on the pitch.
To transition into professional golf, Peter Odemwingie took an unconventional step for a former footballer—he returned to the classroom. The ex-Premier League forward spent four years at the University of Birmingham, earning a foundation degree in professional golf studies.
Reflecting on his academic journey, Odemwingie says, “Graduating was a proud moment. On graduation day, seeing how happy everyone else was made me realize the effort it took for all of us to cross the finish line—especially since some people couldn’t make it through. I kind of miss it now.”
His studies covered a wide range of topics, including communication skills, time management, retail, taxation, sports science, and nutrition. However, Odemwingie admits there was one area where he struggled.
“I didn’t give enough attention to the business finance module,” he confesses. “I had to re-sit the exam. But as a striker, when I see a target, I have to hit it—so I buckled down and got it done the second time.”
Now equipped with a degree, Odemwingie hopes the skills he gained will help him not only in his golf career but also as a father of three young children. He’s passionate about using his knowledge to educate them and pave the way for their future.
Additionally, Odemwingie sees coaching as part of his next chapter. While he’s focused on golf, he has plans to pursue a UEFA coaching license, keeping football close to his heart.
“It would be a dream to coach my nations: Russia, Nigeria, and England,” he says, envisioning a future where his experience on the pitch shapes the next generation of players.
An Olympic Vision for Nigeria
For Odemwingie, the journey isn’t just about personal achievements. He dreams of bringing his expertise to inspire and uplift Nigerian athletes, not just in football but also in golf—continuing to break boundaries in both sports.
While the idea of coaching football giants like the Three Lions or the Super Eagles might seem ambitious, Peter Odemwingie has another plan to make his mark on the global sporting stage. His focus now is on elevating golf in Nigeria, with aspirations to see a Nigerian golfer competing at the Olympic Games.
“Even if I can’t play as a golfer, I want to be part of the team supporting someone who does,” Odemwingie shares. “My dream is to introduce people to golf and build a generation of Nigerian golfers who can compete on the world’s biggest stage, including the Olympics.”
Odemwingie’s passion for the Olympics runs deep, having experienced the thrill of the Games firsthand when he represented Nigeria at the Beijing 2008 Olympics. The Nigerian team won silver after narrowly losing 1-0 to Argentina in the final.
For many Nigerians, the Olympics hold special significance, and Odemwingie believes it can be a powerful motivator. “The medal is highly respected,” he says, referencing Nigeria’s historic gold medal victory in men’s football at the 1996 Atlanta Games. “It’s also a great way to pitch this idea to the state government and attract their support.”
Growing Golf in Nigeria
Odemwingie has already begun strategizing ways to promote golf back home. He’s planning meetings with government officials and corporate leaders in Nigeria to discuss the benefits of investing in the sport.
“If we have more golf courses, it will boost tourism,” he explains. “Kids could earn scholarships abroad. Golf provides opportunities for anyone willing to take a chance—it can transform lives.”
One of Odemwingie’s long-term visions includes the establishment of a combined golf and football academy in his hometown, Benin City. By introducing children to the sport at an early age, he hopes to nurture future stars who could compete at the highest levels.
“Like any other sport, starting young gives you a better chance of reaching an elite level,” he emphasizes.
Inspiring the Next Generation
As someone who has succeeded in two professional sports, Odemwingie is eager to use his platform to inspire others. He dreams of seeing the Nigerian flag represented on the European Tour or PGA Tour someday.
“Hopefully, my journey will encourage parents to expose their kids to golf. Once they try it, I’m confident many will fall in love with the game just like I did,” he says.
With his determination and vision, Odemwingie’s mission to grow Nigerian golf is more than just a personal ambition—it’s a legacy in the making.
SOURCE: BBC Africa
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