Mr Baker passed away at age 82, on March 6, 2021, following a battle with pulmonary fibrosis, rheumatoid arthritis and pneumonia which all took a toll on his lungs.

Mr Baker's wishes were to have his ashes spread on his favourite golf courses, a wish that Mr Baker's partner, Karen Zancanaro fulfilled this week.

Accompanied by Mr Baker's sister and two close friends, Ms Zancanaro spread half at the first tee at East Maitland Golf Course on Wednesday, and spread the other half at Bonnie Doon Golf Course in Sydney.

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Known as one of the foremost amateur golfers of his generation, Mr Baker grew up in Maitland and won the Maitland Golf Club A-Grade Club Championship seven times consecutively between 1954 and 1960, and also won the Hunter River District A-Grade Championship in 1957 and 1959.

On a national level, Mr Baker was the Australian and NSW amateur golf champion in 1964, and represented Australia at the 1964 World Amateur Golf Championships in Rome.

In 1997 Mr Baker became the Australian Senior Men's Amateur Golf Champion, maintaining a personal best handicap of seven at 80 years old.

Ms Zancanaro said Mr Baker loved golf and thinks it's likely that's what kept him fit and healthy for so long.

Mr Baker's two great loves were his golf and his grandchildren, to whom he was affectionately known as 'Pop'.

Not wanting to cause a fuss, Mr Baker did not want a large funeral and had a private cremation in March, surrounded by his family.

Mr Baker was inducted into the Maitland Hall of Fame in 2017 for his contribution to local golf, and will be remembered as one of the city's greatest ever sportspeople.

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