June 8-9, 2007

IGA Public Links Championship Honeywell GC, Wabash June 8-9, 2007

Baker Wins Public Links After Leading Wire to Wire

Wanting birdies, but getting pars, Chris Baker, Brownstown, carded an even par first nine for the second round of the 2007 IGA Public Links Championship at Honeywell GC in Wabash. He then came back with a 31 on the second nine, for an 8-under tournament total of 134. Beginning the second round at 4-under, the closest tournament total score was a 144, shared by Kyle Thompson, Fishers, Dave Vlasic, Valparaiso and Josh Thompson, Indianapolis.

After grinding out the pars on the first nine, it became apparent that Baker would lead wire to wire on the thirteenth hole when he sank a 20-footer for birdie and the momentum of the round changed dramatically. “I putted real well today, you know you go save it when you can save it,” stated Baker about grinding out the first nine at even par. What emerged on the second nine was a confident golf swing, which resulted in huge drives in the fairway and second shots aggressively hit at the pins. Baker finished with three birdies on the last six holes, after an additional birdie on #11 when he drove the 321-yard par four.

The shared second place finish was a battle between the three competitors for the 36 holes of the tournament. Thompson, Vlasic and Thomas all fired identical 72-72 – 144 for their rounds.

Three tied for 5th place were Clarence Hardison, Indianapolis, Chris Seibel, Indianapolis and Brooks Snyder, Williamsport. Complete results may be found through the leader board link.

IGA Public Links Championship – Round One Recap

The leader after round on of the 2007 Public Links Championship is Chris Baker, Brownstown, with a 33-34—67.

In second place after round one is Dave Williamson, Crawfordsville, with a 1-under 70 on the 6,438-yard Honeywell GC in Wabash. Tied for third place are, Nathan Hoff, South Bend, Josh Thompson, Indianapolis, Dave Vlasic, Valparaiso and Kyle Thomas of Fishers.

Baker attributes some of his success to “some lucky breaks,” having not seen the course since he was “about 13.” Baker, a senior marketing and management major at Iowa State, heads to Phoenix to participate in the South Western Amateur. He also plans to attempt to qualify for the national Public Links Championship and the Western Amateur. Locally, Baker will be qualifying for the Indiana State Open and will be participating in the 107th Indiana State Amateur at Otter Creek GC June 25-28th.

Last year’s Public Links Champion, Brandon Pike from La Fontaine goes in to round two nine shots off the lead.Tee times begin at 8:00 Tuesday at Honeywell GC, with the leaders going off hole #1 last for the final 18 holes.