Neoga's Luke Baker Ready To Compete At Optimist Junior Golf Championship

NEOGA -- Luke Baker is a team. Yep, he's the whole golf team at Neoga High School and it doesn't bother him at all. And, he's headed to compete in the Optimist Junior Golf Championship in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida in late July.

"I'm the whole team at Neoga," said Baker. "Golf is an independent sport anyway. I've never played on a golf team, so I don't know what that's like. I don't know what I'm missing or not missing."

Baker, obviously is doing fine since he's competed in the Class 1A State Golf Tournament the last two years for Neoga. He finished in a three-way tie for 30th place as a sophomore with a 162 total, shooting an 85 on the first day and a 77 on the second day. Last year he improved by tying for 26th place, shooting an 80 in the first round and an 81 in the second round for a 161.

Baker averages 37.6 for nine holes and 76 for 18 holes.

"I can pick and choose the tournaments I want to play in during the school year," said Baker. "I talk with Mattoon's coach and Windsor's coach and see what works for my schedule as far as traveling."

Baker, the son of Randy and Andrea Baker, says he's the only one in his family who golfs.

"No one in my family golfs, just me," said Baker. "I went golfing for the first time about 4 1/2 years ago and have loved it ever since."

During the summer, he continues to compete and has already taken part in four tournaments.

"I've competed on the Prep Tour in Bloomington two days and the Mattoon/Charleson Amateur," said Baker. "I've gotten in the top five in all four of the tournaments so far."

Now he's heading out of state to play July 26 at the Optimist Junior Golf Championship.

"I just want to play good there," said Baker. "I want to just keep doing what I'm doing. I've been working since I got home from the Decatur qualifier on shots I didn't have. I want to try and improve. I don't have any specific goals there. I know what I can do and if I just do that I'll be satisfied.

"There's nothing that needs more attention than any other part of my game. I just want to stay sharp and try to improve."

Baker captured fourth place at Decatur to qualify for the championship in Florida. He had a 224 total for the three rounds. He tallied a 76 then a 73 for a 149 total and made the cut, which was 166.

The Optimist is one of the largest and best-known junior golf tournaments in the world. Each year more than 600 golfers participate in the Optimist. Boys, ages 16-18 and girls, ages 15-18, will be competing July 26-31.

"I played in it last year but I didn't qualify," said Baker. "Last year it was a two-day tournament and this year it's three days. I just want to do the best I can."

Baker wants to continue golfing after high school.

"My goal is to play golf in college. I would love that."