Vin Baker (golfer)
| Vin Baker | |
|---|---|
| Personal information | |
| Full name | Vincent E. R. Baker |
| Died | July 1990 Durban, South Africa |
| Sporting nationality |  South Africa |
| Career | |
| Status | Professional |
| Former tour(s) | South African Tour European Tour |
| Professional wins | 2 |
| Number of wins by tour | |
| European Tour | 1 |
| Sunshine Tour | 1 |
| Best results in major championships | |
| Masters Tournament | DNP |
| PGA Championship | DNP |
| U.S. Open | DNP |
| The Open Championship | T37: 1973 |
Vincent E. R. Baker (died July 1990)[1] was a South African professional golfer. He won the 1973 Benson & Hedges Festival of Golf on the European Tour.
Professional career
[edit]Baker played some tournaments in Britain in 1970. He qualified for the Open Championship through final qualifying at Carnoustie but missed the cut in the Championship itself at St Andrews.[2] From its formation in 1972 until 1979, Baker was a regular competitor in European Tour events. He won once, in the 1973 Benson & Hedges Festival of Golf. Trailing by 5 shots after three rounds, Baker scored a final round 64 to win by 2 strokes from Dale Hayes.[3] He was twice a runner-up, in the 1973 Scandinavian Enterprise Open and in the 1978 Italian Open. In addition to his 1970 appearance, Baker played in five further Open Championships between 1973 and 1978, making the cut twice. His best finish was in 1973 when he was tied for 37th place.
Baker won the ICL Transvaal Open in December 1974, beating Andries Oosthuizen in a sudden-death playoff.[4] He was also runner-up in a number of important South African tournaments including the South African Open in early 1973, the South African PGA Championship in late 1973 and the South African Masters in 1975.[5][6][7][8]
Murder
[edit]In July 1990, Baker was stabbed to death in a carjacking by three teenagers near Durban.[1]
Professional wins (2)
[edit]European Tour wins (1)
[edit]| No. | Date | Tournament | Winning score | Margin of victory |
Runner-up |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 18 Aug 1973 | Benson & Hedges Festival of Golf | −12 (73-68-71-64=276) | 2 strokes | Dale Hayes
|
Southern Africa Tour wins (1)
[edit]| No. | Date | Tournament | Winning score | Margin of victory |
Runner-up |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 14 Dec 1974 | ICL Transvaal Open | −8 (72-68-71-69=280) | Playoff | Andries Oosthuizen
|
Southern Africa Tour playoff record (1–0)
| No. | Year | Tournament | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1974 | ICL Transvaal Open | Andries Oosthuizen
|
Won with birdie on first extra hole |
Results in major championships
[edit]| Tournament | 1970 | 1971 | 1972 | 1973 | 1974 | 1975 | 1976 | 1977 | 1978 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Open Championship | CUT | T37 | CUT | CUT | T62 | CUT |
Note: Baker only played in The Open Championship.
CUT = missed the half-way cut (3rd round cut in 1975 and 1978 Open Championships)
Team appearances
[edit]- Double Diamond International (representing the Rest of the World): 1972
References
[edit]- ^ a b Tich, Smith; Joan, Smith (2016). "Chapter 2: Joan's Story". When Grace showed up. ISBN 978-1-4347-1031-4. Retrieved 27 October 2019.
- ^ "Qualifiers and scores". The Glasgow Herald. 6 July 1970. p. 4.
- ^ "Baker's first major win". The Glasgow Herald. 20 August 1973. p. 5.
- ^ "Bembridge in lead". The Glasgow Herald. 16 December 1974. p. 8.
- ^ "Charles wins". The Age. 5 February 1973. p. 22.
- ^ "Weiskopf's 67 takes title". The Glasgow Herald. 4 December 1973. p. 4.
- ^ "New Master". The Age. 27 January 1975. p. 21.
- ^ "Golf". The Sydney Morning Herald. 27 January 1975. p. 16.
External links
[edit]- Vin Baker at the European Tour official site
