Golf: Zambia's Muthiya a pioneer on the Nationwide Tour

Ed Sherman | McClatchy Newspapers

5/6/2008 - 5/7/08

Every once in a while fate touches a golfer from an unlikely location and makes him a star. When it comes to golf, Zambia is about as unlikely as it gets.

Madalitso Muthiya wants to put Zambia on the golf map. He isn't a star yet, but if he does make it big, he will become a huge hero among black Africans throughout the vast continent.

The 25-year-old is looking to make a breakthrough on the Nationwide Tour, the circuit a step below the PGA Tour.

He was in town to help promote the Bank of America Open, which will be held May 29-June 1 at the Glen Club.

Muthiya already has made a historic impact. In 2006, he became the first black African to play in the U.S. Open. He wants to make it more than a one-time deal.

"I want to be one of the best players in the world," Muthiya said.

Zambia hardly is the ideal launching pad. Then again, neither is Fiji, and a fellow named Vijay Singh seems to have done all right.

Like Singh, Muthiya had to beat incredible odds to get to this level. Zambia, which has a population of 9 million, has only 17 courses and only three in the capital of Lusaka, where Muthiya was raised. None of them is close in conditioning to a North American course, Muthiya said.

Muthiya also didn't come from the same background as many of his competitors.

His father, Peter, owned an insurance company, and his family was considered middle class by Zambia's standards.

"But you would be considered poor here in America or anywhere else," he said.

As a kid, Muthiya didn't notice. All he wanted to do was play golf.

He took up the game at age 9, and for a long time he played with a used women's set that had pink grips. It didn't matter. As he taught himself by watching video of Nick Faldo, he soon made a name for himself as a top player.

Muthiya's talents got the attention of Zambia's then-President Frederick Chiluba. After meeting the 15-year-old, Chiluba used a contact in America to help him get into a junior tournament in Florida. Muthiya won it.

"It was something unexplainable," Muthiya said.

The victory helped earn Muthiya a scholarship to The University of New Mexico, where he received his first real lesson. He had some success there and turned pro in 2005.

Muthiya played on the Canadian Tour last year. This year, he has conditional status on the Nationwide Tour.

Thus far, his big highlight was qualifying for the U.S. Open in 2006. The immaculate Winged Foot is a long way from the ragged courses in Zambia.

Muthiya savored every minute of it, especially a practice round with Singh.

"I was able to see where I wanted to go before I got there," Muthiya said.

Muthiya didn't get there, missing the cut, as did another golfer, Tiger Woods. However, Muthiya's presence in the tournament did create a stir in Zambia.

Muthiya hardly is the first golfer from Africa. South Africa has produced a long line of successful players, from Gary Player to recent Masters champion Trevor Immelman.

But he is the first black African player to reach this level.

"Obviously, I'm looked at differently," Muthiya said. "I'm not saying they aren't indigenous. Ernie Els was born there (South Africa). They are Africans just like I am. But ... it's different."

Muthiya represents a segment of Africa that hasn't produced professional golfers. Even in South Africa, where golf is huge, the country has yet to develop a prominent black player.

So Muthiya can serve as an inspiration to black children who might want to pursue the game in Africa. He came from a poor country with little formal development in the sport. Now he is playing against some of the best in the world.

"Once I get to where I want to go, I want to reach (young black Africans)," Muthiya said. "I want them to see they can do it as well. It inspires me. It helps me as much as I can help them."