At 80, pro Ben Okello is aging just like fine wine

At 80 years, professional Ben Okello is still hitting the fairways with no sign of slowing down. So, what’s his secret?

Standard Sports: How did you begin your journey in golf?

Okello: My golfing story or journey began by accident. I used to play football and athletics after I moved to Uganda.

At the beginning of 1963, while working at Uganda Golf Club. Pro Peter Tut taught me the basics of golf, but after a few sessions, I said; ‘This is a game for old men and women. I can’t fit in.’

For me, if I get into a sport, I want to be at the pinnacle of the game, I told myself.

It wasn’t until 1966, when Muhamad Rajab won the Uganda Open. His win inspired me a great deal and vowed to win the Uganda Open someday. 

Standard Sports: How did it feel living your dream?

Okello: I was on top of my game. I became the first black Ugandan resident to win the Uganda Open, which earned me a place in the Uganda national team for five years, before returning to Kenya from 1973 to 1983.

Standard Sports: How was it playing for the Kenyan team?

Okello: As a member of the Kenya national team, I never lost a match.

I set the course record at Mombasa Golf Club – Front Course in 1987. To date, nobody has come close to breaking it. Long after setting my first course record at Kampala Golf Club with a 67 in 1963, it was my son, Jacob, who later broke it.

Standard Sports: How did your illness affect your form?

Okello: I retired while working at Mombasa Golf Club in I997 after which, I turned pro.

Unfortunately, I was taken ill in 2001. Those seven months were real hell. Initially, it was a misdiagnosis before I was later treated for meningitis. The treatment process killed my nerves, keeping me off practice sessions for a while.

Standard Sports: How did you juggle between family, work and playing?

Okello: Representing your country is akin to being a politician. Meetings can be held anywhere. Your family must be comfortable with those plans.

Standard Sports: What would it take for a Kenya to win the Magical Kenya Open?

Okello: They need to go back to the drawing board. For example, a top amateur who is drawn up for 11am still wants to go to the range and train others to earn some quick money. You will swing like a beginner. Before the 80’s, all top amateurs made the cut past the second round at 6-under and 8-under, but now? They are winning KGU events at 8-over par and 10-over par, but can’t make the cut at Magical Kenya Open.

Standard Sports: How long do you think it will take a Kenyan to win at the Kenyan Open?

Okello: You people think through it. Has a 10-over par or 15-over by a local player won any tour event? You must be 15-under, 18-under or even 20-under par to stand a chance.

Standard Sports: What’s your highlight of your illustrious golfing career?

Okello: It must be in 1977, when while representing Kenya, I lost at the quarter finals. I chose not to play a lob wedge or a sand wedge then pitched with my 9-iron. On the 18-hole, we were all square and I hit my driver next to the green. Had I played a lob wedge, I would have won but I chose to run a 9-iron over a bunker and my opponent flipped a lob wedge and inked a birdie.

Standard Sports: Your parting shot?

Okello: I appeal to golf committees to do away with permanent four-balls/teams.