Kathy Baker Guadagnino

…currently resides in Boca Raton, Florida, where she and her husband, Joe Guadagnino, have pastored Solid Rock Christian Church since its inception in 1997.

Kathy’s story, as it relates to her books, started in the spring of her freshman year at college. Kathy attended the University of Tulsa on a golf scholarship from 1979 to 1983, and it was there that she was introduced to and accepted the Lord Jesus Christ. In her own words, “It was like I had been living in a black and white world and Someone (God) came along and painted colors for me.” Not long after that experience, she and her teammates won the AIAW Women’s National Collegiate Golf Team Title her freshman year.

Kathy somewhat struggled with her desire to play golf, as she had suddenly acquired newfound purpose in life. She felt very much called to ministry, yet she also felt an obligation to use all the gifts God had given her—which included golf.

Little did she know how God would entwine the two. It was in her junior year that this struggle came to a head. While home during Christmas break, she played a rather enjoyable round of golf with her father and wondered why she fought the game so much. This became a matter of prayer, and quite clearly God told her, “Did you ever think that I might want to use you in golf, and the devil knows it too!” That was all she needed to hear, and it was then that Kathy dedicated her golf game to the Lord for His purposes.

Interestingly, that spring, she and her teammates won both the AIAW Women’s National Collegiate Golf Team Title as well as the very first NCAA Women’s National Collegiate Golf Team Title, where she captured the top NCAA Individual honors as well. This was her first collegiate win, followed by several amateur victories the following summer, where she also represented the United States as a member of the Curtis Cup Team and the World Cup team. She felt quite strongly that God was giving her this platform to spread the message of Christ.

Kathy turned pro and played golf on the LPGA professional golf tour from 1983 until her retirement from the tour in 2000. Winning the 1985 Women’s U.S. Open—her first professional victory—gave her many opportunities to share her faith, and she was actively involved with a fellowship of believers on tour. Since retiring from the tour, she has focused her efforts more on teaching and coaching golf locally, as well as actively working behind the scenes in the various ministries at Solid Rock.

Kathy received her Master’s in Biblical Studies from South Florida Bible College and Theological Seminary. A teacher at heart, Kathy has a deep passion to help people grow in their knowledge, understanding, and relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. She believes in everyone’s intrinsic and unique value and desires for people to understand and be released in their God-given gifts to serve the Body of Christ and the communities where they reside.

Pastor Joe and Kathy were married in 1987 and have 3 children: Nikki, Megan, and Joey; and 6 grandchildren: Lexi, Natalie, Kallie, Joey, Isla, and Emmy.