Perfect 10: Golfer Baena 'in a class of her own'

Sorenstam a Wildcat 

Among the illustrious names on the Arizona women’s golf alumni list is Annika Sorenstam.

That’s Sorenstam, possibly the greatest female golfer of all time.

The World Golf Hall of Famer and an eight-time LPGA Tour Player of the Year with 10 major championship wins.

And, she’s a Wildcat.

A Wildcat with a great collegiate track record, too — two-time All-American, with her own NCAA and Pac-10 titles as well as a national player of the year award. 

UA's greatest? 

Certainly, the discussion for “best UA women’s golfer of all time” starts and ends with Sorenstam, right?

Wrong.

Not at Arizona, not with this program.

At least, not when collegiate success — and not post-college, professional prowess — is the only thing factored into the discussion.

In fact, Sorenstam isn’t even No. 2; that spot belongs to Lorena Ochoa, a successful pro herself. Sorenstam’s not No. 3 either; that’s Jenna Daniels. 

So who’s number one?

That would be Marisa Baena, whose accomplishments in college were stellar enough to be ahead of both Sorenstam and Ochoa.

“She’s in a class of her own,” Ted Purdy, a UA college star in his own right and future pro, told the Star in 1996. “She can hit it as far as I can, or close to it, and she’s 5-foot-6, 115 pounds. I’ve played a lot of golf with Marisa, and I’ve played with Annika Sorenstam, and I think Marisa is better. I really do. …

“Marisa could be the next (superstar) in women’s golf.”

While Baena’s professional career didn’t pan out the way many expected, partially due to injuries, her accomplishments at Arizona make her the pick for the best female golfer in UA history. 

Why Baena? 

It all starts in 1996, with Baena’s magical freshman season when she completed the college golf equivalent of the Triple Crown.

First, she won the individual Pac-10 title.

Then, she won the individual title at Arizona’s NCAA regional, which helped them advance to the next portion of the NCAA tournament.

There, things got wild.

First, Baena won the individual title, completing that Triple Crown. Then, in a sudden-death playoff between Arizona and San Jose State for the team title, Baena holed a 7-iron from 140 yards for an eagle on the par-4 18th hole. It clinched the win, and might be the greatest shot in UA history, men or women.

She went on to win national player of the year that year, and again in 1997. She was a three-time first-team All-American and three-time first-team All-Pac-10 selection. Oh, and Baena is tied for the lowest individual round score (65) in program history.

She captured nine individual crowns in her career and placed in the top 10 in 23 of 28 tournaments.

“I’ve had a couple good tournaments, a couple bad ones,” Baena said during the 1996 season. “I’ve worked hard, my game’s improved, and I’ve matured more. I’m really happy with the way I’ve been playing.”

So was coach Rick LaRose, certainly.

Baena “plays with one purpose, and that’s to win,” LaRose said at the time. “Like all great champions, she’s hard on herself. She expects to do her best every time she plays, and she demands perfection.”

Here’s a look at the list of Arizona’s best women golfers: 

10. Lindsey Weaver 

Years at UA: 2013-present

Notable achievements:

• Tied for Pac-12 runner-up in 2014 and 2015

• 2014 second-team All-American

• Two-time first-team all-conference

• Second-best individual round score (67, -4) at the Pac-12 championships in team history

• Tied for second-best individual 54-hole total in team history (206, -10) 

9. Alison Walshe 

Years at UA: 2005-08

Notable achievements:

• 2007 and 2008 first-team All-American.

• Ranked No. 15 in 2007, No. 8 in 2008.

• Finished in sixth place at the 2007 Pac-10 championships 

8. Susan Slaughter 

Years at UA: 1989-90

Notable achievements:

• Won NCAA title in 1990

• NCAA runner-up in 1989

• 1990 first-team All-American 

7. Christa Johnson 

Years at UA: 1976-80

Notable achievements:

• 1979 and 1980 All-American

• Placed fourth at the 1980 AIAW national championships

• Won Arizona Collegiate Championships in 1976

• Arizona Hall of Famer 

6. Leta Lindley 

Years at UA: 1991-94

Notable achievements:

• Tied for 1994 Pac-10 title

• Third-place finish at 1993 NCAA tournament

• Six Top-5 finishes as a senior

• Four-time All-American, twice first team

• Four-time all-conference, three first team

• One of only five UA golfers to ever hit a 66 or better in a single round

• Arizona Hall of Famer 

5. Erica Blasberg 

Years at UA: 2003-04

Notable achievements:

• 2003 Golfweek magazine National Player of the Year

• Finished tied for third at 2003 NCAA tournament

• Finished in third at Pac-12 championships in 2003 and 2004

• 2003 and 2004 first-team All-American

• Two-time first-team all-conference

• Ranked No. 1 in 2003, No. 3 in 2004 

4. Annika Sorenstam 

Years at UA: 1991-92

Notable achievements:

• 1991 National Player of the Year

• 1991 NCAA title

• 1992 NCAA runner-up

• 1992 Pac-10 title, 1991 Pac-10 runner-up

• Two-time first-team All-American

• Finished outside of the Top 10 just once

• Won seven individual titles

• Two-time first-team all-conference

• Arizona Hall of Famer 

3. Jenna Daniels 

Years at UA: 1996-2000

Notable achievements:

• 2000 NCAA title, two other Top 10 NCAA finishes

• 2000 National Player of the Year

• 1998 Pac-10 title, 2000 Pac-10 runner-up

• Ranked No. 1 in 2000.

• Two-time first-team All-American

• Two-time first-team all-conference

• Won the 1999 NCAA west regional

• Helped Wildcats to 2000 team NCAA title

• As a senior, never finished a tournament below 15th place

• Arizona Hall of Famer 

2. Lorena Ochoa 

Years at UA: 2001-02

Notable achievements:

• 2001 and 2002 National Player of the Year

• 2001 and 2002 NCAA runner-up

• 2001 Pac-10 champion, 2002 runner-up

• Set NCAA records with seven consecutive victories and a 70.73 stroke average as a sophomore

• Two-time first-team All-American

• Two-time first-team all-conference

• Finished in top two in eight of 10 tournaments as a freshman

• Six times hit 67 or better in her career in a single round — only 23 other times has a UA golfer done that.

• Three of the five lowest scores in 54 holes

• Ranked No. 1 in 2001 and 2002

• Arizona Hall of Famer 

1. Marisa Baena 

Years at UA: 1995-98

Honorable mention: Martina Koch (1986-90), Natalie Gulbis (2001), Susie Meyers (1978-82), Debbie Parks (1991-92), Manon Gidali (2011-15)