Will Obama play golf in Kenya?

U.S. President Barack Obama lines up a putt on the final hole during a round of golf at the Mink Meadows Golf Club on Martha's Vineyard, August 25, 2009. PHOTO | REUTERS 

By CHARLES GACHERU

In Summary

• So here are some known knowns; President Barack Obama will be in Kenya towards the end of July 2015. He is a left handed golfer.

In 2002, Donald Rumsfeld gave the world a classic quote. “There are known knowns; there are things we know we know. We also know there are known unknowns; that is to say we know there are some things we do not know. But there are also unknown unknowns – the ones we don’t know we don’t know.”

At the time, he was responding to questions on Iraqi weapons of mass destruction.

So here are some known knowns; President Barack Obama will be in Kenya towards the end of July 2015. He is a left handed golfer.

This leads us to our first known unknown; will Mr Obama, a avid golfer experience any of our beautiful golf courses? And if yes, which one? Perhaps the Muthaiga Golf Club. Maybe Windsor or even Kiambu for a quick nine holes in the relaxing country air. Would Mr Obama make any birdies or break 80 for the first time in his life? That is a unknown unknown!

That Mr Obama plays a lot of golf is no secret. In January 2015, Michael Schmidt writing in the New York Times referred to Mr Obama as the “Nation’s Private Golfer in Chief.” The article state that Mr Obama had spent roughly 1,000 hours on the golf course, playing 214 rounds since he was elected.

Although those who play with Mr Obama are reluctant to speak about his game, it is generally thought that it has improved over the years and that he almost broke 80 in early 2015.

Mr Obama is also known to be a stickler for rules, accepting no favours as the president. Rumour has it that former President Bill Clinton routinely gave himself “presidential pardons” for bad shots!

Those who have had the privilege of playing alongside Mr Obama describe him as honest, composed, unruffled and a man who doesn’t quit.

Now, President Uhuru Kenyatta is not a golfer (known known) – or perhaps to put it more accurately, he hasn’t been seen on a golf course forever.

So who would Mr Obama play a round of golf with at Kiambu Golf Club?

If I had the opportunity to prepare a golf game for PROTUS, I would include, Chris Kirubi, his golf game is horrible, but his business acumen is exceptional and he is a great ambassador for Kenya (most times).

I would also include two junior golfers Mathew Wahome and Naomi Wafula. Both these youngsters reflect the potential of Kenya, they are the future and I am sure ‘Uncle Barry’ would enjoy listening to their wild dreams of Kenya.

Since Mr Kirubi turned down an invitation to have lunch with ‘Uncle Barry’ in Tanzania in 2013, he may also snub this golf game, in which case, I would replace him with either Kenya’s golfing ultimate warrior, Yasin Awale or veteran golfer Peter Waweru of the Karen Country Club or young golf professional Greg Snow from the Muthaiga club.

Our 1998 golfing hero Jacob Okello would also impress ‘Uncle Barry’ on the golf course and he would have the unique opportunity to teach him the language of his late father, Barack Obama Senior.

Kenya is a great golfing nation and whichever his four ball, Mr Obama would enjoy golf here. Whether he plays, that’s a known unknown.