AfricaPress-Kenya: Golf Park golfer Erick Ooko Obura led Kenyan team on day one at the ongoing Magical Kenya Open championship at par 71 Karen Golf and Country Club in Nairobi.
The 34-year old who is currently on fire is hopeful to carry on with the good run as he seeks to better his previous records in the tournament.
Here, Standard Sports take a look at ten things you didn’t know about the player.
1. He was born outside the house
His name Ooko in luo means outside the house.
“I was told my mother gave birth to me on the way when she was being rushed to the hospital.”
2. Holds a course record at Royal
Ooko started playing the game at his current Golf Park base but switched clubs to Royal Nairobi Golf Club.
It was at Royal that he recorded an amazing 12 under par gross which still remains the course record at the club.
The player returned to Golf Park last year after his father’s death.
3. Is he jinxed?
Ooko has never been lucky to proceed to the money bracket since his first qualification in the Magical Kenya Open six years ago.
He painfully holds a record in the event as the first Kenyan to miss the cut with an amazing under par gross in 2015.
“I was devastated. I could not believe that I was out of the contest because of a single shot. It was so unbelievable.”
4. He’s a school drop out
Ooko left school in Form Two at Obera Secondary in Ndhiwa constituency due to reasons he is not willing to disclose.
5. Divorced
Marriage has not been a bed of roses for the soft spoken player.
It is also the last thing in his mind.
“Right now I just wants to concentrate on my golf,” he says.
6. Has not given up on education
Ooko plans to go back to school next year to complete his O levels.
“I will not play golf forever.I want to acquire skills that will help me do other things to sustain my life.”
7. Father of one
His daughter is his strength, he loves her very much.
8. His dream is to win PGA tournament
Ooko wants to be the first Kenyan to play and win a Proffessional Golfers Association event.
His timeline for that is in the next five years.
“I also want to play in the Masters at Augusta.”
9. Is a bookworm
Ooko reads a lot, especially books on golf issues.
“As a golfer, you don’t practise and play alone. You need to read far and wide to expand your knowledge in the sport.
“I use the materials to sharpen my mind ahead of any game.”
10. Tiger Woods is his role model
Ooko follows every move made by the former world number one and golfing ace.
He has religiously adhered to Woods mantra that ‘All tournaments are the same, you just need to know how to move around in the pitch.”
UTILITIES
2015: First time to qualify for the Magical Kenya Open
2015: Missed Magical Kenya Open cut by a shot
2018:Missed Magical
Kenya Open cut again
2021: Finished fifth overall at the 2020/21Safari Tour Series
