An opportunity to learn from a professional golfer is coming to Hickory Hills Golf Club this Friday.

Brownstown’s own Chris Baker will be hosting a free clinic for anyone interested to come and learn some tips.

Baker will be playing a scramble Friday morning with old coaches and mentors, and then they plan to start the free clinic at 1:30 p.m.

“We’re going to be giving away a bunch of prizes, and he’ll sign autographs, and after that, I’m sure there’ll be a question-and-answer period,” said Jim Baker, Chris’ dad. “Just something to give back to the community that got him started.”

Jim said he expects Chris to show everyone how he warms up to get ready for a tournament. Chris goes through about an hour of prep time before he tees off. He’ll also show different ways to hit the ball, what to do in certain situations on the golf course and a plethora of other skills that come with the game.

The 2004 graduate of Brownstown Central High School turned pro in 2008 after he graduated from Iowa State University, where he played Division I golf.

The 36-year-old just wrapped up a top-20 finish this past Sunday at the Price Cutter Charity Championship in Springfield, Missouri.

Last year, Jim was able to caddie for Chris during a 36-hole qualifier for the U.S. Open in Maryland, and Chris was able to qualify.

“That was incredible,” Jim said. “It just so happened to be on my 70th birthday, and that was probably the best birthday present ever.”

Right now, Chris is currently ranked 68th on the Korn Ferry Tour. The top 75 players maintain their cards for next year, and the top 75 also get to play in the Korn Ferry Finals, a three-tournament series to determine 25 more PGA Tour cards based on performance in those tournaments. The series features the top 75 from the Korn Ferry Tour and players 126 to 200 from the PGA Tour.

The three tournaments take place in Boise, Ohio State University and Victoria National.

But before Chris embarks on that journey, he’ll be offering up free tips and lessons Friday at Hickory Hills, repaying the community he grew up in for all of the support throughout his career.

“I know he really appreciates the support he has gotten from the community over the years,” Jim said. “He really enjoys giving back as much as he can. Hickory Hills is a great little nine-hole course, and that’s where he got his start.”