12-year-old continues to excel on golf course

July 15, 2007

By MATT TUNSETH/ Frontiersman

SETTLERS BAY - Most 12-year-olds don't plan much further ahead than the next Little League game or trip to the lake. Wasilla's Rynae Baca already knows what she wants to do when she grows up.

&#8220Be a pro golfer,” Baca said matter-of-factly Friday following the first round of the Alaska Amateur Handicap Tournament at Settlers Bay.

But while it's typical for many youngsters her age to dream the impossible dream, Baca's goal seems more attainable with each smooth swing of the club. After Friday's first round, she found herself tied for first in the three-day tournament after shooting an 86.

On Saturday, she followed that up by shooting an 84 at the Moose Run Creek course to place her third overall going into the tournament's final day.

Success on the golf course isn't anything new to Baca. This summer she bested the best 13- and 14-year-old boys at the state junior amateur, and last year finished 10th at the U.S. Kids Golf World Championships.

Her drives already top 230 yards, but Baca said it's around the greens where she truly shines.

&#8220My short game is my best,” she said.

Baca's sister, Madison, 10, is also a top junior golfer who placed 23rd at the World Championships.

The girls' father, Roger, said he started bringing his daughters to the course when Rynae was just 4 and Madison was 2.

&#8220They both had a knack for the game,” he said. &#8220It wasn't hard for them at all.”

Since then, the girls' lives have revolved around the game. The family lives in Settlers Bay, and Rynae said she typically practices for six or seven hours a day. The girls are homeschooled, and Roger Baca said the family is considering leaving Alaska for Outside in order to play golf year-round.

&#8220Honestly, you have to get out of Alaska,” he said.

The family has already traveled Outside for tournaments this year, and plans to return to Florida next month for the Kids and Teen Golf World Championships.

In the past year alone, Baca has lowered her handicap index from a 17 to a 6.9 - a number already good enough to put her on a par with some collegiate players.

Roger Baca said he is positive Rynae will play at the college level.

&#8220There is no doubt in my mind she will get a scholarship,” he said.

With so much emphasis on the game, Roger said he does his best to keep golf fun for his daughters by playing friendly games to challenge and keep the girls motivated.

&#8220They take my money all the time,” he joked.

Rynae said her favorite part of playing golf is the tournaments, and that she thrives on the competition. Roger said that's one of his daughter's biggest strengths.

&#8220We were eating dinner the other day, she finished first and said, ‘I win,'” he said.

Rynae said her favorite professional golfers are Tiger Woods and Paula Creamer, and said she'd one day like to play head-to-head with her idols. But like many girls her age, Baca said she's got another motive besides beating the game's greats for wanting to become a professional herself - shopping.

&#8220Paula Creamer has a clothes budget of $1,000 a week,” she said, smiling. &#8220I'd like that.”

Contact Matt Tunseth at 3523-2265 or matt.tunseth@

frontiersman.com