It is the end of an era for Krista Bakker, as the Aramco Team Series – New York will be her final professional event after playing for eight seasons on the Ladies European Tour (LET).
The Finn has decided now is the time to step away from professional golf and has already begun to venture into her new career choice – real estate.
“It’s my last event as a professional,” said Bakker. “I have been thinking about this for a while. It feels very much like the right decision, and I feel relieved.
“I’m going to be going into real estate. I’m really excited about it, and I’ve already started a little bit back home. It’s really interesting.
“I wanted to get into it because I really like decoration, design and houses and I had an opportunity do real estate now. I got into a really good company in Finland and I’m very excited.”
It is fitting that Bakker will end her career at the Aramco Team Series – New York, a format in which she has had so much success.
Last November, the 28-year-old was part of the winning Team Pedersen alongside Emily Kristine Pedersen, Hannah Burke and amateur Ahmed Al Subaey in Jeddah.
While she followed that up with another win, this time in Bangkok as part of Team Hillier with Whitney Hillier, Chonlada Chayanun and amateur Pattanan Amatanon.
“In Jeddah, I was playing in Emily’s team. On the last day we made so many birdies and I think that was something so nice,” she continued.
“I got into the flow making birdies and the playoff was special when Emily won. While in Bangkok, we had very good team spirit across the tournament days, and I enjoy these events with the good energy.”
Just a couple of months ago, Bakker played in her home Open – the Åland 100 Ladies Open by Ålandsbanken – and also had her younger sister Katri in the field.
Throughout her time on Tour, the Finn has been lucky to be surrounded by a group of her compatriots and it is an element that she will miss.
“Playing in Åland was great,” she explained. “My sister also wants to become a professional golfer, so I think for her it was nice to see that her sister has done it.
“I have been playing for many years on the LET, this is my eighth season. That’s really cool and it was great to play in an event with her there too.
“We [The Finns] are all such good friends with each other, we’re a little family I would say. It’s nice to have their support during the years I have been on Tour.
“They have said they’re going to miss me, and I will miss them as well. I will miss the Tour and travelling and being with them, but I’m also excited for my new career.”
Representing Finland was important to Bakker and one of her best memories from her career was at the 2012 Espirito Santo Trophy, but she is also hoping to finish on a high at Trump Golf Links at Ferry Point.
She added: “It was when I was an amateur in the world championships, I finished second individually and we won bronze as a team. That was something really cool. I also got a win on the LET Access Series which was great and then hopefully I’ll get a win this week, it would be nice to finish in style.
“I really like the course. There are some long approach shots, I think you have to have a good short game if you miss the greens. It’s in really good shape so I’m looking forward to playing.”
And after eight seasons travelling around the world playing golf, which three words would Bakker choose to sum up her golfing career?
“Adventure. Hardworking. Enjoyment.”
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