Vin Baker (golfer)

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.

Vin Baker
Personal information
Full nameVincent E. R. Baker
DiedJuly 1990
Durban, South Africa
Sporting nationality South Africa
Career
StatusProfessional
Former tour(s)South African Tour
European Tour
Professional wins2
Number of wins by tour
European Tour1
Sunshine Tour1
Best results in major championships
Masters TournamentDNP
PGA ChampionshipDNP
U.S. OpenDNP
The Open ChampionshipT37: 1973

Professional career

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

In July 1990, Baker was stabbed to death in a carjacking by three teenagers near Durban.[1]

Professional wins (2)

European Tour wins (1)
No.DateTournamentWinning scoreMargin of
victory		Runner-up
1 18 Aug 1973 Benson & Hedges Festival of Golf −12 (73-68-71-64=276) 2 strokes South Africa Dale Hayes

Southern Africa Tour wins (1)
No.DateTournamentWinning scoreMargin of
victory		Runner-up
1 14 Dec 1974 ICL Transvaal Open −8 (72-68-71-69=280) Playoff South Africa Andries Oosthuizen

Southern Africa Tour playoff record (1–0)

No.YearTournamentOpponentResult
1 1974 ICL Transvaal Open South Africa Andries Oosthuizen Won with birdie on first extra hole

Results in major championships
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.

  Did not play

CUT = missed the half-way cut (3rd round cut in 1975 and 1978 Open Championships)

Team appearances

References
  1. Tich, Smith; Joan, Smith (2016). "Chapter 2: Joan's Story". When Grace showed up. ISBN 978-1-4347-1031-4. Retrieved 27 October 2019.
  2. "Qualifiers and scores". The Glasgow Herald. 6 July 1970. p. 4.
  3. "Baker's first major win". The Glasgow Herald. 20 August 1973. p. 5.
  4. "Bembridge in lead". The Glasgow Herald. 16 December 1974. p. 8.
  5. "Charles wins". The Age. 5 February 1973. p. 22.
  6. "Weiskopf's 67 takes title". The Glasgow Herald. 4 December 1973. p. 4.
  7. "New Master". The Age. 27 January 1975. p. 21.
  8. "Golf". The Sydney Morning Herald. 27 January 1975. p. 16.
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