PETER ODEMWINGIE has finally settled on a new club… seven years after infamously driving to Queen’s Park Rangers’ training ground for a transfer that never was.
The 38-year-old former West Brom, Stoke and Cardiff forward is training to become a GOLF COACH ahead of his plans to ‘preach the gospel’ of the sport in Nigeria and Russia.
Former footballer Peter Odemwingie is training to become a golf coachCredit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uBF7eSTchY8&feature=youtu.be
The 38-year-old is planning to preach about the sport in Nigeria and RussiaCredit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uBF7eSTchY8&feature=youtu.be
The retired footballer joined the PGA Training Programme after hanging up his boots but admitted that he doesn’t see his future as a top-level player.
Instead, Odemwingie, who has been mentored by PGA pro Jak Hamblett, has already secured his first golf coaching badge with a level two on the horizon.
And in an interview for the PGA with Broadbeach Films, the Nigerian revealed his visions of helping the sport expand in new places.
He said: “I know Richard O’Hanlon, who is a fully-qualified PGA teaching pro and I’ve played in many Pro-Ams with him so I asked him how it works.
“Then at Stoke, just by our training ground, there is an American Golf. Sometimes, because I had to travel up the M6, I would have some time before I had to be in so I would stop and go and look at the equipment which has come in.
I have plans to preach the gospel of golf. How do you believe if you’ve never heard? I want to be loud and let them know the game of golf is very interesting
Peter Odemwingie
“I met Neil Wain, who works at the Belfry, the Academy, and is on his third year of the PGA. He’s been very helpful and I asked him how it all works. Living just around the corner from the Belfry I thought it was a perfect opportunity to get this education.
“Then I have plans to preach the gospel of golf – the good news! – in the countries I came from, Russia and Nigeria.”
Odemwingie scored 35 goals in the Premier League, but is perhaps best known for his hilarious transfer gaffe during the January window of 2013.
Seeking an exit from West Brom, the striker thought a deal had been done with QPR and drove himself down to London to put the finishing touches to the deal.
However, no such deal had been agreed and he found himself locked out of Loftus Road with the club fearing they could get in trouble for breaking transfer rules.
Unfortunately for Odemwingie, but brilliantly for everyone else, Sky Sports cameras were there to capture the embarrassing scenes.
AMBASSADOR FOR THE BEAUTIFUL GAME
Discussing his move into golf, Odemwingie continued: “My best days as a golfer may be behind me but at 38, as a coach if I’m fully qualified in three years, I could set up a little Academy and it would be the first step to getting that Nigeria flag right there on the screens alongside all the other African nations that are there.
“As they say, how do you believe if you’ve never heard? I want to be loud and let them know the game of golf is very interesting. It demands a lot of physical fitness, it’s not a static game, and the health benefits for physical and mental are huge.
“It’s a no brainer to be an ambassador for such a beautiful game.”
Odemwingie retired from football last year but still confessed that he has ambitions to also become a coach in the sport he played at some point.
He added: “I will still do the football coaching badges because I have a lot of knowledge in that sport, have played in many countries and speak a few languages.
“There is still an opportunity to coach in there – but golf has taken over. I love the game so much that I have put football on hold.
“I saw potential in my golf swing and I’ve had so many notes on the journey to professional golf within five years and it’s good to have that knowledge. You have to know what your own body does, the tendencies and then work with that.”
Odemwingie retired from football last year after becoming the first Stoke City player to score at a World CupCredit: AP:Associated Press
Nigerian footballer Peter Odemwingie talks to Shaun Custis about being a Russian celebrity
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
