Teen’s golf talent an Open secret

THE golfing world is at Steph Baker’s feet, and she intends to make it her life.

Hailing from Robinvale, the 15-year-old has been touted as one the next hot prospects from the region and harbours ambitions of playing at US college level and eventually turning professional.

Before that, she still has plenty to accomplish at home, starting with this weekend’s Mildura Open.

Baker has already accomplished a great deal, now playing off a handicap of two and capturing the Riverside Ladies Club Championship in 2020, Murray Downs Junior Championship in 2019 and Melbourne Country Week glory before she was a teenager.

“I started golf around 11 or 12,” she said.

“I used to swim and dance but with my asthma, I couldn’t really keep up with it and we thought golf was the best option for it.

“My grandma loves watching golf on TV and she encouraged me to play.

“When I was 13, I thought ‘this is what I want to do and this is the track that I want to follow when I’m older’.

“I’ve worked with (golf professional) Mike McKenzie over the last few years and he has taught me so much.”

Baker calls Riverside her home club but with the course out of action due to flooding, she has been using the Robinvale Golf Club course more often in recent months.

In an ominous sign for her competitors, the Robinvale College student – whose strength is her short game – believes she’s hitting the ball better than ever.

Her warm-up round at Mildura on Thursday has given her confidence to compete against other stars like Sue Laird, Lisa Garoich and Lee Bottomley for Open honours this weekend.

It’s a busy year ahead for the rising star with the Australian Junior Amateur at Tasmania Golf Course over Easter before events at Royal Melbourne, Yarra and Cranbourne.

In September, she’ll play at the Victorian Junior Open at Barwon Heads, ahead of a potential berth in the Australian Junior Open in December.

Baker is also travelling to the US in September with the inaugural golf tour of Green Room Futures, playing in three tournaments in California and visiting prospective colleges.

Her scout Matt Wade has already touted her as a potential NCAA division one golfing prospect.

It seems like a whirlwind year ahead, but Baker wouldn’t have it any other way as she chases her dream.

“Turning pro is my goal,” she said.

“Even if it’s the European or Asian tours rather than in the USA, I’d love to join the professional circuit.”

If her trajectory continues, the sky seems the limit for the young talent.