Tag Archive for: Peter Baker

Baker v The Ambassadors

We’re testing Peter Baker’s professional knowledge this summer for a collection of noble causes. Its Majors time and a repeat for something we did this time last year which is all good fun but wasn’t an overwhelming success. Seeing as how it’s all for charity as well, we must do better this year.

Peter is pitting his wits against our MG ambassadors, our valued team of guys who help us deliver the magazine each month. All they have to do is each place a couple of bets on each major, MG goes down the bookies and places them – plus as it’s Ryder Cup year, we’re doing a predict the score from Paris too.

Peter Baker

£25 will be wagered on each event, and whoever comes out on top with the highest collective winnings by October will scoop the full pot and donate it to their chosen charity.

  • Predictions were made on the week of March 19th-23rd

Peter Baker’s picks & reasons

Masters –   TO WIN  Justin Thomas     EACH WAY BET Jordan Spieth

“Thomas is a man on form and a long straight hitter too, which is a big thing at Augusta. I just can’t ignore Jordan either, such a great record here.”

US Open   WIN Phil Mickleson     EACH WAY Dustin Johnson

“Purely for sentimental reasons and also as he’s a winner again at last, Phil is surely destined to win one US Open? Shinnecock is pretty linksy too which should help him further.”

Open Championship WIN Jon Rahm   EACH WAY Justin Rose

“Back to the Europeans on the toughest of Open venues. After his Irish Open win last year Rahm knows how to play links. And Justin Rose, I fancy him for an Open soon.”

US PGA    WIN Rory Mcllroy   EACH WAY Rickie Fowler

“I’m gambling that by August Rory might be back on form at last! *Plus Rickie’s another one who has come so close so many times, a major win must happen soon.”

*Peter recorded this conversation before the recent Bay Hill Invitational won by Rory Mcllroy!*

Ryder Cup Score – Europe 16-12 USA – Chosen Charity – Compton Hospice – Wolverhampton

THE AMBASSADORS

Chris Bates – Coventry & Warwickshire Ambassador – Known by us affectionately as ‘The Odds God’ Chris, a Coventry GC member proved that to be correct in 2017 at the very last minute as his E/W bet at the USPGA, Justin Thomas romped to victory with a final round charge. Chris scooped the full winnings, donating £220 to the Alzheimer’s Society and is ready to go again this year.

Masters   TO WIN  Bubba Watson   EACH WAY Tyrell Hatton

US Open   WIN Rory Mcllroy  EACH WAY Jon Rahm

Open Championship WIN Justin Rose  EACH WAY Jordan Spieth

US PGA    WIN Rickie Fowler  EACH WAY  Justin Rose

Ryder Cup Score Europe 14.5 v 13.5 USA – Chosen Charity – Alzheimer’s Society

Neil White/Mark Johnson – Worcs Ambassadors – Neil and Mark, both members of BUNGS share a delivery route for us, so they share this too. They are hoping for a better showing this year than they managed in 2017.

Masters   TO WIN  Dustin Johnson   EACH WAY Tiger Woods

US Open   WIN  Justin Rose  EACH WAY Tiger Woods

Open Championship WIN Tommy Fleetwood    EACH WAY Tiger Woods

US PGA    WIN Justin Thomas    EACH WAY Tiger Woods

Ryder Cup Score Europe 15-13 USA   – Chosen Charity – Breast Cancer Support (BUNGS captain’s charity for 2018)

Paul Spooner – Black Country and N Birmingham ambassador – Paul, who is a Walsall GC member and WAGS society member has taken the place of the editor for this year, because the editor wasn’t very good either! Good luck Paul, (he’s the one on the left!)

Masters   TO WIN  Dustin Johnson   EACH WAY Tiger Woods

US Open   WIN  Tiger Woods  EACH WAY Hideki Matsuyama

Open Championship WIN Rory Mcllroy EACH WAY Matt Fitzpatrick

US PGA   WIN  Jordan Spieth   EACH WAY Justin Thomas

Ryder Cup Score – Europe 15.5 v USA 12.5  –  Chosen Charity – Cancer Research

Tony Rogers – MG’s Nottinghamshire ambassador – Another new contestant, Tony is the organiser of the Willowbrook GS and is a member at The Nottinghamshire.

Masters    TO WIN  Justin Rose   EACH WAY BET Phil Mickleson

US Open   WIN Jason Day   EACH WAY Hideki Matsuyama

Open Championship WIN Sergio Garcia   EACH WAY Tommy Fleetwood

US PGA    WIN Justin Thomas   EACH WAY Jordan Speith

Ryder Cup Score Europe 14.5 USA 13.5 –  Chosen Charity – Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance

 

We’ll update the current winnings as each major passes – hope they are significant ones – good luck all

 

 

 

Peter Baker

Peter Baker – Back on Tour

We’re very pleased to introduce Peter Baker as our magazine contributing professional in 2018. Peter will be writing a regular blog for us in the magazine and online here too.

Peter Baker

BIO

Peter Baker was born in Shifnal, Shropshire in 1967, he currently lives in Wolverhampton and is Head Professional at The South Staffordshire Club. After a successful amateur career which included a Walker Cup appearance in 1985 he turned pro the year after and soon became one of The European Tour’s most consistent performers. Among his three wins was a British Masters success in 1993, the same year that Peter made his Ryder Cup appearance at The Belfry. Despite a European team defeat, he won three points out of four, including a singles victory over Corey Pavin. Peter returned to Ryder Cup duty in 2006, this time as good friend Ian Woosnam’s Vice-Captain in a commanding European win at The K Club. Peter is married with two grown up daughters and is a season ticket holder at Wolverhampton Wanderers. Now aged 50, he’s spending 2018 competing full time on the newly named Staysure Tour (European Seniors)

Peter Baker

Peter has a busy year ahead and we caught up with him on return from the season’s first event, The Sharjah Senior Masters in UAE where he finished in joint 11th on three under.

“I felt I played really well for a season opener and the swing felt good too. I just struggled with the pace of the greens which was my downfall, but all in all it was a great week at a very welcoming venue which all the players enjoyed, and nice to play some golf in the sunshine too.”

It’s a while before the next Staysure event in late May, until then Peter is intending to keep competitive as it all gets very busy after that.

“ I’m intending to play about 90% of the Staysure events this season so it will be full on from June onwards, until then I’m taking part in a few local pro-ams and some familiar spring events that I enjoy. The Cornish festival is a favourite of mine, I managed to win the Professional Trophy here last year so this month we’ll be down again (April 17th-19th.) It’s a great golf event in a lovely area and we play at Trevose, Carlyon Bay and St Enodoc.”

Peter Baker

BAKER BYTES

On Tiger Woods – “He’s looking dangerous again and confident in what he’s doing. Such a great boost for the game to have him back in contention. If he could win a major this year, that would be something very special.”

On Staysure  – “ Brilliant support for all the guys on the tour, they are determined to make it a big success and I’m delighted to see that they are going to be equally commited to amateur golf too.”

On Wolves – “ Nearly there now, just win our home games and we’ll be back where we belong. There’s been a bit of controversy lately hasn’t there over the FFP issue , but looks like a bit of traditional jealously to me, no-one spoke out when we were 16th in the league last year.”

We’ve also tested Peter’s professional playing knowledge against our MG ambassadors in a special charity based feature all centering on the major championships. Click on the link to find out more – https://midlandsgolfer.co.uk/baker-ambassadors/

Midlands dates for the diary – Watch Peter Baker live this year by attending both of the following events, both offer FREE spectator entry.

August 7th – 10th – Farmfoods British Par 3 Championships – Nailcote Hall

October 5th – 7th – Farmfoods European Senior Masters – Marriott Forest of Arden

 

Peter Baker

 

 

 

Champions UK Brand Agency

 

British Par 3 FF logo

FF European senior masters