A FAMILY AFFAIR IN FINLAND FOR KRISTA AND KATRI

Original story posted by Åland Ladies Open

Krista Bakker has been a familiar name on the Ladies European Tour participant lists for several years now, and this weekaAnother Bakker graces the start list of the Åland 100 Ladies Open by Ålandsbanken, as Krista’s sister Katri is also in the competition.

Krista is happy for her sister that she got a wild card into the competition, with 21-year-old Katri performing well in her homeland over the past few years, as she missed out in a playoff in the Finnish Amateur Championship earlier this year.

“It’s nice that we get to play with Katri in the same professional competition. We haven’t played together for a long time,” says Krista, who claimed success in the Team Event of the Aramco Team Series – Bangkok earlier this year.

Katri has played strongly on Finnish courts this season, as she leads the Finnish Tour ranking, and has had her sights set on earning herself an invitation to the LET event from the start of the year.

“The goal was to enter the competition. And now that it came true, it’s amazing”, says Katri, who is part of the women’s national team.

The sisters are not exactly identical when it comes to playing, as there are small differences, with Krista thinking that Katri plays with slightly more aggressive tactics.

Along with Krista and Katri, there are other Bakkers in Åland, because parents Riitta and Kari are watching their daughters’ competition from a close distance in the role of caddies. 

Kari, who worked as a golf coach for a long time, also works as a coach for his daughters, not only as a caddy. Both daughters are of the opinion that the presence of the family at the competition venue is only a positive thing.

“I think Krista called her mother first and I was left with my father. But it’s good”, Katri explains the background of the caddy selection.

“It’s really nice that both parents are there. And having a coach there during the race is really important. Get help right away if there’s something you need support for,” emphasizes Krista.

The competition starting on Thursday is Kristall’s 14th competition on the Ladies European Tour this season, and she is looking forward to teeing it up on home soil this week.

“I’m going to play a smart and safe game. No exact investment goals have been drawn, but we go through pleasure, and that’s how the result will come,” Krista plans.

“I have the same thought. Smart shots and good game…