In midst of coronavirus pandemic, former Lakeland standout Bayley keeping sharp playing on mini tour in Arizona

Most of use are encouraged — strongly — to stay at home these days due to the coronavirus outbreak.

Derek Bayley is no different.

However, his “home” is on the golf course.

Bayley, the former Lakeland High star, is in Arizona these days, keeping his game sharp on the Outlaw Tour, preparing for the next opportunity that should come his way.

“It’s definitely kinda crazy,” Bayley said via phone on Thursday night. “It’s out of my control, so I’m just taking it one day at a time. I can still work on my game, as long as the government’s letting you. I plan on keepin’ on, keepin’ on.”

Bayley, who turned pro last March following a four-year career at Washington State, has played in seven Outlaw Tour events, finishing no worse than in a tie for 16th in any of them, with a T8 as his best finish. He’s 14th on the money list, though the Outlaw Tour, one of several mini tours across the country, is not a qualifier for a bigger tour.

“Just something to keep the game sharp, and prepare for something bigger,” Bayley said.

The tourneys, mostly in the Phoenix area, are usually three-round events.

Last year, Bayley played in seven events on the PGA Tour LatinAmerica, cashing in three. Following his fourth event on that tour, Bayley qualified for the Mackenzie Tour (PGA Tour Canada), and played in 10 events on that tour, mostly through the summer, before returning to the Latino America tour for three more events.

He made it to the second stage of qualifying for the Korn Ferry Tour (previously the Web.com Tour) last fall. In January, he was unsuccessful in his attempt to qualify for PGA Tour LatinAmerica this year (a tour which is currently suspended due to the coronavirus outbreak).

In any event, it was an interesting — and educational — first year as pro.

Getting used to playing for money, the week-in, week-out travel to different cities for tournaments.

And ...

“One time me and a buddy of mine got kicked out of an Uber (in Brazil),” Bayley recalled. “Because the lady didn’t speak English, and she thought we were threatening her, because we were talking about how crazy the people drive.”

Derek and his friend had to walk the rest of the way to the golf course, which took roughly 10 minutes. While carrying their golf bags.

“And it was in not a very good part of town,” Bayley said. “It wasn’t funny at the time, but kinda looking back on it ... ”

PGA Tour LatinAmerica, or Mackenzie Tour, or Outlaw Tour, one thing’s the same, Bayley noticed.

“Guys are good everywhere you go, I’ve learned,” he said.

When courses opened in North Idaho this spring, golfers were told to take precautions — don’t touch the flagsticks, don’t touch the bunker rakes. Some courses even took the flags out.

In Arizona? Depends on the course.

Use a towel or a jacket to pull out the flagstick, Bayley said. Some courses put a piece of PVC pipe in the hole, so the ball doesn’t go all the way to the bottom of the cup, making it easier to retrieve the ball without touching the flag.

Though golf is an outdoor sport, and folks are more spread out, lessening the chance of being close to other people, there are still concerns.

“I do know a couple of people (who played on the Outlaw Tour) that live in Washington that just drove home, because they wanted to be closer to their family in case something did get shut down, or they weren’t allowed to leave the state,” Bayley said. “We don’t really know what’s going to happen. “

As for Bayley ...

“As long as they’re playing golf down here, I’m here,” he said. “The people that are making those decisions are smarter than I am, so I’m going to go ahead.”

Bayley stayed with some friends in Arizona the first 2-3 months there. He has his own place now, in Scottsdale, booked through April 10. He was slated to play in a Mackenzie Tour qualifier in late April, but that has been postponed as well.

Bayley said he plans to play in a couple more Outlaw Tour events before returning to Idaho, where — he hopes — the weather is good enough to keep practicing for what’s next.

Whatever that is.

One thing’s for sure — Bayley said his driving has improved in recent months — hitting it a little bit farther, more in the fairway.

“The end of my senior year of college I didn’t drive it the best off the tee,” he said. “And most of my first year as a pro, I struggled with my driver. But over the last 2-3 months I’ve really improved in that area, which has ultimately saved me a shot a round, by keeping it in play. It was something I needed to improve on, no matter where I was playing.”

He said if anything opened his eyes last year, “it was just how far guys hit the ball. When you get to certain golf courses, I was definitely at a disadvantage. I am more average to a little above average, distance wise, on those tours. and you get those guys that bomb it, it really favors them.”

Other than that, Bayley has a pretty well-rounded game, and is able to adapt as different courses call for different things.

Still ...

“Hitting it far and straight is pretty good, no matter where you are,” he said.