 Baker says he will help Woosnam in any way he can at the K Club |
Not many people know European Ryder Cup captain Ian Woosnam better than Peter Baker. Pals for more than 20 years, it came as no surprise when the 39-year-old from Wolverhampton was named as one of Woosnam's two vice-captains for the biennial clash in Ireland later this month.
They first met on a Shropshire golf course on a cold winter's day in 1984 and have been good buddies ever since.
"It wasn't far from Lilleshall to Oswestry, where Woosie was brought up, and I used to go over there and play winter golf," Baker told BBC Sport.
"We'd have a game of snooker as well. We had a lot in common.
"Woosie's a pretty relaxed guy away from the golf course. He likes his sport and he likes to enjoy himself. That's probably why we've got on so well. We enjoy similar things."
 | He knows he has to take tough decisions which are not going to please everybody |
Woosnam had already established himself on the European Tour when the pair became friends.
Baker was still an amateur but poised to turn professional.
"Being a young amateur at the time, he really tried to help me and gave me a lot of advice," said Baker.
"It was the same when I first went on the European Tour. He was somebody I knew to help me out."
Baker plans to return the favour at the K Club when the Ryder Cup gets underway on 22 September.
A member of the European team that lost out 15-13 to the United States in 1993, he knows what the competition is all about and what it means to players and fans on both sides of the Atlantic.
"A lot goes on that week, so I will be there to help out the captain as much as I can and in any way I can," said Baker, who played with Woosnam in both the fourballs and foursomes at The Belfry. "If he wants my input, he will get it."
 Woosnam and Baker teamed up successfully at the 1993 Ryder Cup |
It will be a pressurised atmosphere in Ireland, but then it always is when the Ryder Cup comes around.
Woosnam's leadership skills have already come under the microscope as a result of the rumpus caused by Thomas Bjorn.
The Dane, angry and upset at missing out to Lee Westwood for the final wildcard, branded the skipper "pathetic" and said he had "lost all respect" for the Welshman.
Bjorn later apologised, but the affair highlighted just how highly charged emotions get when the Ryder Cup is involved.
Bernhard Langer, who captained Europe to a stunning victory at Oakland Hills in 2004, had already weighed into the captaincy debate by then, too.
The German was miffed at not being asked for any advice by Woosnam, his successor, and questioned the wisdom of such a decision.
Yet despite the negativity of the last few days, Baker insists Woosnam will handle the pressure and expectation.
"He knows he has to take tough decisions which are not going to please everybody," said Baker.
| RYDER CUP BLOG Jay Townsend
BBC golf pundit |
"It goes with the territory, but he only wants to do what's best for the team. He made the decision he felt was right.
"Obviously Thomas was disappointed - I can understand that - but it's just one of those things.
"It was a tough call and someone was going to be bitterly disappointed. It was just disappointing how it all blew up."
Baker hopes the Bjorn affair will be long forgotten by the time the European team gathers at the K Club in readiness for the high-octane encounter with Tiger Woods and co.
He says the key now is to bond as a side and concentrate on retaining the Cup they won so emphatically in 2004.
"We've got 12 guys to look after and get together as a team," said a focused Baker. "Now we've got to move on and try to win the Ryder Cup.
"Hopefully we are prepared for every eventuality, but I can't wait. It's going to be a spectacular event."
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Interview: European vice-captain Peter Baker
