STEPH Baker’s ever-expanding golf trophy cabinet needs room for a new acquisition accompanying her back from the Apple Isle.
The 17-year-old from Robinvale, who plays out of Riverside Golf Club, at the weekend claimed the Golf Australia Tasmania Junior Masters title in Devonport, where she navigated the wet weather brilliantly.
Reduced from a 56-hole event to a 36-hole tournament, the rising star shot two consistent rounds of 73 to finish two-under overall, ahead of Commonwealth GC’s Olive Spitty (even).
The result also earned Baker her World Amateur Golf Ranking, a goal she set out to achieve early in the year.
“Devonport was pretty similar to courses at home so I felt good playing on them, but the weather made it harder to deal with as the course was pretty flooded,” she said.
“We just had to play to the conditions as much as possible. Had to try and stay warm and loose, and try to keep distance where possible because you know you will lose some distance on your shots.
“I’ve been feeling really good, it’s nice to make a strong start to the year.
“I’m really happy now to get my WAGR. I know I’m down the bottom end of it but it’s great to be able to be part of that list and hopefully I can move my way up during the year.”
Four birdies on the back nine in the opening round gave Baker a one-under round of 73 at the halfway mark, trailing only Ionna Muir of Pelican Waters GC by a stroke.
Round 2 also got off to a flyer with three birdies in the first four holes, however a double-bogey on the fifth and bogey on the seventh ensured she remained on her overnight score with nine holes to go.
Birdies on the 12th, 13th and 15th took her to four-under with three holes remaining, but another double bogey on the 16th levelled her with long-time competitor Spitty, who is from Kerang.
Not that she was aware of how close they were at the time.
“I didn’t know we were even, which was probably a good thing!” Baker said.
She held her nerve to par the final two holes, while Spitty went two-over on the 17th, allowing the Sunraysia golfer to grab the championship.
Last year Baker was prolific at local level, winning the Open events at Robinvale, Coomealla and Red Cliffs, as well as the Riverside Women’s Club Championship.
She has represented Riverside at pennant level, and has been invited to represent both Keysborough and Commonwealth golf clubs at pennant this year.
Baker has won the past two Victorian Junior Country Championships, and has future eyes on a potential US college scholarship.
Her busy schedule continues this week after being just one of 12 juniors from Victoria invited to play alongside the professionals in the WebEx Player’s Series Murray River event at Cobram Barooga Golf Club, which begins Thursday.
Perhaps the biggest event of her career to date, however, is just weeks away after qualifying for the Honda LPGA event in Thailand.
Going up against some of the world’s best golfers, Baker will compete at the Siam Country Club Old Course in Pattaya from February 20 to 23.
“I’m really looking forward to Thailand,” she said.
“We’ll head over about a week or so beforehand to get used to the conditions.”
