Ricky Barnes was born in Stockton, California February 6, 1981. He attended Lincoln High School and played golf for University of Arizona. He attended Arizona from 2000-2003 and during that time was named Pac-10 Freshman of the year in 2000, Pac 10 Player of the year in 2001, and 2nd team All American in 2000 and 2001 and first team All American in 2003. In 2002 he won the 102nd US Amateur, defeating Hunter Mahan 2&1 in the final. Barnes and Mahan shared the 2003 Ben Hogan Award and lead the United States to victory at the 2002 Eisenhower Trophy. In 2003 he was low amateur at the Masters, where he finished 21st after outscoring his playing partner Tiger Woods.
Barnes turned professional in 2003 and joined the National Tour in 2004. His best finish tour came in 2006 at the Oregon Classic where he lost to Cliff Kresge in a playoff. Barnes finished in the 25th spot on the 2008 money list which earned him his PGA tour card for 2009. At the US Open Barnes set the hole scoring record after shooting an 8 under 132 through the first two rounds in soft rainy conditions. Early in the third round he would become only the fourth player ever to reach double digits under par. Barnes ended up shooting 76 and placing a tie for 2nd two shots behind the winner Lucas Glover.
In 2010 a string of top finishes helped Barnes to comfortably keep his standings and he finished 42nd on the money list. As of July 2010 Ricky has made the cut in 17 out of 20 events with an average score of 70.28. Through 7 months of 2010 season his PGA winnings were over $1,730,000.00.
(Ricky could not be here tonight as he is playing a tournament in Malaysia. Accepting his award is his mother Stockton Teacher Cathy Barnes.)
