He enjoyed a prolific spell at Albion that included netting a hat-trick against Wolves
But Peter Odemwingie is now about to start a new sporting adventure – after taking his first steps into the world of professional golf. The striker, who retired from football six year ago, scored 31 goals in 90 appearances for Albion after joining the club in 2010.
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But he has now teamed up with Baggies supporter and teaching professional Jak Hamblett as he trains to become a professional golf coach. Hamblett will mentor Odemwingie – who has a handicap of four – over the next three years as he trains to become a PGA Golf Professional
During his training, the former Nigerian international will support with weekly golf lessons at Calderfields Golf and Country Club, in Walsall.
And Hamblett revealed Odemwingie has turned to golf in a bid to give something back to the local community.
“I have known Peter for a couple of years now,” he said.
“I’ve always had a knack for the short game, I played a bunker shot in a pro-am with Pete and he said: ‘You have to teach me how to do that’.
“The rest, as they, say is history. He had a couple of lessons, got more and more interested in the coaching side of the game and now he wants to go professional.
“He wants to learn how to be a PGA coach and has chosen me to be his mentor which is remarkable really.
“We are both Christians and hit it off straight away. Peter isn’t doing this for himself, he is doing it so he can go into coaching and give something back to the community. He has got some really exciting plans for the future and that all stems from his faith and his desire to help people.”
Odemwingie will only become a professional golfer if he passes the Playing Ability Test – something he is due to sit in the coming weeks.
He will then spend the next few years learning from Hamblett, who previously was on the European Challenge Tour. “I used to go to The Hawthorns every Saturday with my dad and I can remember watching Peter score goals,” the golfer continued.
“Now he is posting pictures of me on Instagram and calling me his boss, that in itself, has blown my mind. Coaching comes naturally to me. I’ve been playing off scratch since the age of 16.
“I was in The English Golf Unions School of Excellence as a boy. Being taught by some of the best golf coaches in the country.
“As a professional, I had an awesome team of coaches around me. I’ve adopted a lot of their coaching philosophies, to my own teaching style.
“Two years ago I decided to golf self-employed and start my own brand.
“Since doing so my coaching diary has just skyrocketed, for whatever reason, I’m able to help people understand how they can get better at golf. I believe it’s a gift, it’s my calling. I’ve spoken to Pete and we share the same values, it all stems from a desire to help and serve people. I’m so excited for what the future holds.
“Who knows what kind of an impact we could have on the golfing community?”
