EXCLUSIVE: Jess Baker Discusses the Chevron Championship and Her Future

THE WOODLANDS, TX -- Woodlands Online sat down with Jess Baker to discuss the upcoming Chevron Championship and her future plans going forward. This exclusive interview with the 19 year old LPGA golfer comes just weeks before many of the world's most talented women athletes come together in the Tour’s first Major of the season.


Q: Why golf? What led you to it?

A: Well golf was always a family thing for us. So, my dad played; it was actually my grandma, my mom's mom, she kind of got my dad into it, so, it was always kind of from her leading it. I did the little kid’s lessons when I was like five years old or something and never really caught the bug for it. I just kind of went along with my dad, my brother and it wasn't really until 10 or 11 that I kind of started getting into it.

I joined the junior club at our local golf club and it just kind of started progressing from there. I was the only girl in my golf club in the junior section so it was quite intimidating to be around all the boys and have to deal with all of that. It just kind of progressed through junior golf, I kind of got into county golf so obviously it works different in the UK but kind of a regional setup with girls my age and then moving into the England golf setup as well. So, we've obviously got a national thing going on, which is really good. We kind of got help growing up with regional coaches with the England team. That was kind of like 14-15, that's when it got serious. Then moved into the national squad from there when I was 17, and now I'm in the England women's squad, so it's kind of been quite linear in that progression.

I’m in college now, and winning the event last year, it's just kind of like brought on to the pro level now so you can just kind of see the buildup over time. And I guess that's all it was, it's still very much a family thing for us. My dad caddies for me, he’ll be back on the bag for the Chevron. It's always been quite family orientated, it's really nice to kind of go out.


Q: Being on such a large stage, it could be intimidating like you just said, you were the only girl in your class. What emotions come along with being in a position like this?

A: It's intimidating, obviously, as an amateur being in this position, playing against the best in the world is a league that I've not really been a part of. So, I guess there's kind of two sides to it, because you can sort of see how intimidating that is, you don't want to fail in front of the pros and you've got a bit of that going on. But, at the same time, to be in the position I am, to not have to play for money is a lot, because I don't have to worry about making the paycheck this week and to really just embrace all the experiences that are out there. And just take it all in, I have nothing to lose and I'm just here for experience. That's a lot off my shoulders really, as opposed to if I was playing to make ends meet kind of thing, so, there's definitely two different perspectives when looking at it.

In April now I've won last summer and I've already experienced two majors already an LPGA event, so, I’m quite familiar with the setup and that experience is really beneficial moving into the next few weeks. Just to be acquainted with people, you kind of smile and that you recognize a face and yeah, it is just kind of nice to be around that arena and obviously, as I said, being an amateur to experience that and see what it might be like in the future as well as really beneficial.



Q: To make it on an international level, What are the ratios of raw talent and learned skill in the final?

A: I feel like it's definitely a mix of both. I think to kind of be the stars, be those top class players/winners, I think there has to be a certain element of talent. But, I think with golf, you can learn a whole lot and I think it's different to other sports in that you can learn how to swing a certain way and you don't have to have a physical advantage. Obviously, it pays to hit it far and to have that as well but, like on a par five people go for it and two and hit it in the water but the girl that lays up and probably makes it on there and three and holes apart is going to score better. So, it's not necessarily a physical advantage like it might be in like basketball or football or something. I think that's kind of where the playing field levels out is that you can learn those skills over time and there's never really, ‘she's always going to be better because she looks like that’, that's not really how it isn't golf. So, I think that's really special. But learning those skills growing up is a very key part too. There's definitely a mix of both I would say


Q: In your goal to improve your skills who or what are your aspirations?

A: I think for me, you kind of dream of being world number one and like winning majors; my heart is back in the UK at home so to win a British Open or something like that would be really special. I look up to the English girls like Georgia Hall and Charlie Hall, they're killing out there right now.

I think for me as a person, outside of golf, just to kind of love what I do and love the journey of that is an inspiration in itself. Because you know, of course you want to have those outcome goals but if you don't enjoy the moment and you don't enjoy the process of failing, then you're never really going to reach that and it's just going to be miserable. I would much rather have that outcome goal but still enjoy the process to get through that.


Q: What is the most significant decision you've made in the past year?

A: it's got to be some kind of decision that I made at the British so obviously one of the big amateur events which got me into all of these. It probably would it be having my dad on the bag that week. He was really keen kind of keeping me straight, not just technically golf wise, it was just more mental and just kind of keep it in the present and focus on the next shot and, knowing the right things to say at the right time. I think if I didn't have that comfort and support with him, I might not have done as well and might not have been here so I guess that a lot of it is down to him. I think just that kind of tournament is what led to all of his experiences, so, I guess it has to be something around then.


Q: What's next for you?

A: I'm playing a busy college schedule right now. We have conference coming up, so we'll be over in Tampa for that. We're hoping for a win at the American Athletic Conference. Then I'll be coming straight from that to the Chevron, so, it's gonna be a busy couple of weeks. Preparing for that [the American Athletic Conference] and then getting straight on a flight.

The goal for Chevron is to make the cut, hopefully be here at the weekend. But as I say, just enjoy those experiences. And then after that, we've got regionals, nationals, hopefully with the UCF team, and then an exemption to the US Open in the summer. That's kind of the dream goal for me for the next couple of weeks. That's the plan I hope to enjoy it along the way.

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