Okong's professional golf dream lands on fertile ground

Oct 02, 2020

The two-time MVP posted photos of the team getting together for the first time in new Under Armour gear.

Ugandan golfer Edrine Okong's dreams of playing professional golf landed on fertile ground recently after he joined the Howard University golf team in the US.

American professional basketball player Stephen Curry who plays for the Golden State Warriors of the National Basketball Association (NBA), and is passionate about golf, helped re-start the University golf team program last year after one student's request for help resulted in a seven-figure donation by Curry.

Howard University is regarded as the most prestigious historically black institution of higher education in the US.

The two-time MVP posted photos of the team getting together for the first time in new Under Armour gear.

"One of those cool moments!!! @hubison_golf getting together for the first time. Look good. Feel Good. Play good (well). That's the rule. Glad to be part of this journey with you men and women. Just the beginning S/O@Callawaygolf for literally backing up the truck and @underarmour for making them look great," Curry tweeted.

Okong is one of seven Ugandan golfers currently at Livingstone College from where he was picked to join the Howard University program, after the basketballer funded the program to a tune of $6m dollars (sh22b) for 6 years at the university.

"It was a life-changing opportunity for me to go to a number-one black college in America. It's where most celebrities studied like the Vice President of America Ms. Kamala Harris, P-Diddy the American rapper, the late Chadwick Boseman of black panther, Nick Canon, and so many celebrities," Okong said.

"Me going to a university where famous people have studied from is a dream come true and I'm so excited to be part of that legacy since we going to be the golf pioneers of the university.

"So after Steph tagged me in his post on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook, I had a chance to talk and thank him for the opportunity he has given me to be part of his project. To me, I see Steph Curry as the Cristiano Ronaldo of the NBA," Okong, who resides in North Carolina stated.

He said his academic performance and eligibility to play division one golf played a part in him being selected to the team and is looking forward to turning pro immediately after his master's degree.

Joel Basalaine, Titus Okwong, Ronald Otile, Daniel Baguma, Collins Ajidra, and Emmanuel Jakisa are the other Ugandans at Livingstone College in Salisbury, North Carolina.

"Golf is a sport that has changed my life in ways that are less tangible, but just as impactful," Curry told the Howard University website.

"It's a discipline that challenges your mental wherewithal from patience to focus, and is true master, so when you hear about these passionate student-athletes who have the talent but don't have a fair shot at the game, it's tough.

"I feel honoured to play a small role in the small history of Howard University, and look forward to building their first men's and women's golf teams with them," Curry stated.


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