Kathy Guadagnino (Baker) - Part 3 (Life After Golf)
In the final installment of our three-part conversation with 1985 U.S. Women’s Open champion Kathy Guadagnino (Baker), we explore life beyond the ropes as Kathy reflects on the transition from professional golf to a new season of purpose, faith, and service. With her signature warmth and humility, Kathy takes us on a journey through her years playing in Japan—including typhoon-tossed flights, memorable karaoke bus rides, and questionable culinary adventures with Laura Davies. She candidly sha...
In the final installment of our three-part conversation with 1985 U.S. Women’s Open champion Kathy Guadagnino (Baker), we explore life beyond the ropes as Kathy reflects on the transition from professional golf to a new season of purpose, faith, and service. With her signature warmth and humility, Kathy takes us on a journey through her years playing in Japan—including typhoon-tossed flights, memorable karaoke bus rides, and questionable culinary adventures with Laura Davies.
She candidly shares the internal shift that came with motherhood, faith, and recognizing that golf was no longer her top priority. From her final years on tour to her unexpected calling as a coach and mentor, Kathy’s story is one of rediscovering identity and purpose. A serendipitous moment after a painful golf injury even reshaped her swing—and her understanding of the game.
We also celebrate Kathy’s work beyond the course, including her and husband Joe’s founding of Solid Rock Christian Church, her time at the helm of collegiate golf programs, and the spiritual calling that has always guided her journey. As always, we close with our signature three questions—offering Kathy a chance to reflect on what she would do differently, her one career mulligan, and how she hopes to be remembered.
This heartfelt and inspiring conversation wraps up a truly special profile of one of golf’s quiet champions. Kathy Guadagnino’s story is a powerful reminder that life’s richest victories often come after the final putt drops.
Listen in as we celebrate a life well played—on and off the course.
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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.”
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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.
