Mike Baker earns berth in PGA Championship

NASHPORT, Ohio – Mike Baker of Milford, an assistant pro at Sugarloaf Golf Club in Carrabassett Valley, tied for 17th in the 37th PGA Club Pro Championship to earn a spot in next month’s PGA Championship.

Baker posted rounds of 2-over-par 74 on Saturday and even-par 72 Sunday at Longaberger Golf Club to finish at even-par 288. The winner was Bob Sowards of Powell, Ohio, at 12-under-par 276.

The top 25 players in the CPC advance to the 86th PGA Championship, which is Aug. 12-15 at Whistling Straits in Kohler, Wis.

This will be the second PGA Championship trip for Baker, who also qualified in 1999.

Bob Darling Jr., head pro at Fox Ridge Golf Course in Auburn, was three strokes ahead of Baker after the first two rounds of the CPC, but back-to-back 79s on the weekend gave him a 297 and dropped him out of the top 25.