Mike Baker of Bradley won the New England Chrysler Plymouth/Skip Wogan Award as New England PGA section player of the year last year, but that success and the natural tendency of an assistant pro to look for a head professional position have left his status up in the air as the golf season quickly approaches.

Baker, an assistant pro at Bangor Municipal Golf Course for the last five years, had first thought about playing the New England Tour this year.

“I sent in my deposit, and then I looked for sponsors,” said Baker.

He realized, though, that the tour probably wasn’t going to be the best situation for him.

“They increased the number of players from 50 to 75. That makes the numbers kind of tough. You’re competing against that many more people. And it would be tough, with the family, if I didn’t play well,” said Baker. He and his wife, Kristina, have two children, 4-year-old Michael III and 16-month-old Danielle.

“I thought if I win one and play well in the rest, I could make about $40,000,” said Baker, winner of the Rhode Island Open last summer. “I think that’s about what Joe Cioe made last year.

“The problem is you have to pay $7,000 up front, then you have to chip away to make it back, plus pay expenses.”

As the deadline for a commitment approached, Baker decided against it.

“I can still buy into two tournaments,” said Baker.

Then he heard that the pro job at Castine Golf Club was open. He interviewed for it, but recently learned that someone else got the job.

Baker and Bangor head pro Brian Enman both said they have to sit down and talk.

“I’m sure he’ll stop by in the next couple of days and we’ll talk about it,” said Enman Tuesday. “It’s still early yet.”

Baker said Monday, “I think I’ll be back there. … I’ll probably work in the shop and play a little.”

Playing a little is what he did over the winter. Up until a couple of years ago, he would spend the winter months in Florida playing mini-tour events. Now he spends his winters at home and plays an occasional event.

“Winters now are more about childcare,” said Baker. “I’m getting real good at that.”

Baker, who was also the New England Journal of Golf Player of the Year, finished 4 under par and in the top 20 in the Nevada Open in December. He drew a bye in the first round of a Florida match play event in January, then won his second- and third-round matches before falling in the fourth round.

“I was pleasantly surprised. It was a continuation of the way I played last year,” said Baker, who just turned 40. “Maybe I’m getting old enough that the swing comes back easier.”

One difference he has noted about staying home for the winter is that he’s more energized to play golf in Maine in the spring.

“When you come back [from where it’s warm and green] and the leaves still aren’t out and the grass isn’t green, you just don’t feel like playing as much,” said Baker. “Now when spring comes around, I’m ready to go.”

Now he just has to work out where.

NEPGA tours for juniors

The New England PGA is running a pair of junior tournament series this year, and the first event is a Tournament Players Tour event April 17 at Carnegie Abbey in Portsmouth, R.I.

Two tournaments are scheduled for Maine: June 25 at The Woodlands in Falmouth and July 1 at Samoset Resort in Rockport.

Play is open to boys age 18 or younger as of Aug. 31 who are not currently attending a college or university. Participants in the 14-18 group must have a USGA handicap index of 8.0 or lower; for the 13-and-unders, it’s 12.0.

Entry deadline for the first tournament is Friday.

The NEPGA Junior Tour begins June 24 at Furnace Brook Golf Club in Wollaston, Mass.

One of the tour’s 30 events is in Maine – July 2 at Point Sebago Golf and Beach Resort in Casco.

Age divisions for boys are 13-under, 14-15, and 16-17; for girls, they’re 14-15 and 16-17.

Membership deadline for the Junior Tour is April 10, with tournament registration on a first-come, first-served basis. Four of the events, but not the Maine ones, are already filled and compiling waiting lists.

For more information on either series, visit the Web site at www.nepga.com or call the section office at 508-869-0000.

Dave Barber is the NEWS golf writer. The Golf scene will appear each Wednesday through September. He can be reached at 990-8170 or by e-mail at dbarber@bangordailynews.net.