Former Nigerian international Peter Osaze Odemwingie has shifted gears from football to the world of golf in an inspiring turn of events.
The 42-year-old recently unlocked a new achievement since his retirement from the round leather game as he became a professional golfer, having earned a Professional Golfers’ Association (PGA) certification.
Odemwingie, who was speaking at his graduation, was delighted at his transitioning from one team sport (football) into an individual sport like golf.
In a video that is making the rounds of X (formerly Twitter), the former Lille and West Bromwich Albion forward also spoke extensively regarding the lessons he has learned on the way to becoming PGA certified.
“I am really proud of myself and my friends that are graduating as well,” he started. “It’s a long journey, I fell in love with the game, I played a lot of pro-ams as an amateur.
“I am coming from a football background where I had a decent level of achievement in a group sport now it’s a different sport sometimes you can be lonely in golf, just you and your caddie if you have one.
“But the PGA itself feels like a family, and seeing what the PGA professionals enjoy the moment the opportunity came my game became as good as an average pro.
“I passed the playing ability test and I was accepted into the programme and I was as excited as I am today (graduating). It is motivating in itself being around people who want to achieve new things,” Odemwingie concluded.
Congratulations Peter Osaze Odemwingie.
This is inspiring 🏌🏿♂️⛳️ pic.twitter.com/zkCNaI7Cp8
— @𝗼𝗻𝗲𝗷𝗼𝗯𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗯𝗼𝘆 (@OneJoblessBoy) June 25, 2024
Regarded as one of the finest footballers that ever donned the colors of the Super Eagles, Odemwingie represented Nigeria in six international tournaments, including three Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), one Olympic Games, and two FIFA World Cups.
He scored eleven goals in 64 appearances for Nigeria in a 12-year career that spanned from 2002 to 2014 and was the team’s captain to the 2010 AFCON.
In his club career, he played for Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) side Bendel Insurance before moving to European teams like Lille, West Brom, Cardiff City, Stoke City, Bristol City, and Rotherham before retiring in 2019.
