Kathy Guadagnino (Baker) - Part 2 (The 1985 Women's U.S. Open)
In this second installment of our three-part conversation with 1985 U.S. Women’s Open champion Kathy Guadagnino (Baker), we journey deep into the most defining moment of her golf career—and the faith that carried her through it. Kathy recounts the pivotal decision to pursue professional golf, guided by a strong spiritual calling and a leap of faith at LPGA Q-School. Listeners will be drawn into the tension and triumph of that qualifying experience, where she tied for low honors alongside Juli...
In this second installment of our three-part conversation with 1985 U.S. Women’s Open champion Kathy Guadagnino (Baker), we journey deep into the most defining moment of her golf career—and the faith that carried her through it.
Kathy recounts the pivotal decision to pursue professional golf, guided by a strong spiritual calling and a leap of faith at LPGA Q-School. Listeners will be drawn into the tension and triumph of that qualifying experience, where she tied for low honors alongside Juli Inkster. Her vivid storytelling brings to life the unique pressures of playing for your future, and the fierce internal battles that often define great performances.
The heart of the episode is Kathy’s inspiring and emotional retelling of her 1985 U.S. Open win at Baltusrol. From a quiet moment listening to a cassette tape that seemed to foreshadow something bigger, to the surreal vision during a Tuesday practice round, Kathy shares how her faith and focus shaped the outcome. With candor and warmth, she reveals the tension of the final round, her strategic mindset, and how birdies and bogeys mixed with divine nudges and personal resolve led her to a career-defining victory.
Beyond the ropes, Kathy opens up about life on tour as a mother, balancing professional competition with raising children, including playing while pregnant and pushing for better accommodations for moms on tour.
This episode is more than a recap of a great golf win—it’s a heartfelt look at purpose, resilience, and a deep belief that golf was just one part of a greater plan.
Join us for an unforgettable conversation with one of the game’s most grounded and gracious champions.
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About
"FORE the Good of the Game” is a golf podcast featuring interviews with World Golf Hall of Fame members, winners of major championships and other people of influence in and around the game of golf. Highlighting the positive aspects of the game, we aim to create and provide an engaging and timeless repository of content that listeners can enjoy now and forever. Co-hosted by PGA Tour star Bruce Devlin, our podcast focuses on telling their life stories, in their voices. Join Bruce and Mike Gonzalez “FORE the Good of the Game.”
Thanks so much for listening!
Guadagnino (Baker), Kathy
Golf Professional
Guadagnino spent nearly 20 years as an active member on the LPGA Tour. In 1985, she won the U.S. Women's Open and ranked 13th overall on the LPGA money list. In 1988 she went on to win the Konica San Jose Classic. In the 1993 du Maurier Ltd. Classic, one of the four major championships, Guadagnino tied for eighth. She posted a career-low score of 66 during the first round of the McCall's LPGA Classic in 1994. Prior to her retirement from the LPGA in 2000, she tied for eighth at the Giant Eagle LPGA Classic. She was inducted into the South Carolina Golf Hall of Fame in 2002.
While attending the University of Tulsa from 1979-83 on a full golf scholarship, Guadagnino was the Eastern Amateur Champion in 1979 and Western Amateur Champion in 1980. She was a member of the AIAW National Championship teams in 1980 and 1982. She also helped lead her team to an NCAA National Championship victory in 1982 and was an individual NCAA National Champion that year. Before attending UT, Guadagnino was the 1978 National PGA Junior Champion.
Guadagnino received both a bachelor's and a master's degree in biblical studies from South Florida Bible College and Theological Seminary. She currently resides in Boca Raton, Fla.
