Ricky Barnes biography

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Athlete. Born Richard Kyle Barnes on February 6, 1981, in Stockton, California. His father, Bruce Barnes, was a former punter who played for UCLA, and later with the New England Patriots of the National Football League. After leaving football, he became a foodbroker. His mother, Cathy, is an educator. His parents met at UCLA. His brother Andy also took great interest in sports. Barnes, encouraged by his athletic family background, took an interest in sports at an early age.

While he attended Lincoln High School in Stockton, California, Barnes lettered in golf all four years, played in the state golf championships three times, and also served as the captain of the team for three seasons. In addition, he was named the most valuable player on his golf team all four years, Lincoln High School's Athlete of the Year, and All-Area Golfer of the Year. During this time he competed in the American Junior Golf Association events, and the United States Junior Amateur for two years.

After graduation in 1999, he followed his brother to the University of Arizona as an undecided major. He entered college as 17th in the country in golf in his class. During his time at U of A he held four runner-up finishes, including the Scottsdale Junior Championship, the PING Junior Classic, and the Albertson's Junior Championship.

In 2002, he faced his scored his first major victory when he won the 102nd U.S. Amateur. In 2003, he was the low amateur at The Masters, where he finished 21st. Later that year, Barnes turned professional, and played in the PGA Tour.

Barnes joined the Nationwide Tour in 2004. Playing mainly on the second tier, his best finish came in 2006 at the Oregon Classic, in which he finished second. In 2008, he landed at the 25th spot on the Nationwide Tour money list, qualifying him for the 2009 U.S. Open. Since then, he has made headlines for setting the 36-hole scoring record and becoming only the fourth player in the Open's history to reach double digits under par.

Barnes has been romantically linked to professional beach volleyball player, Suzanne Stonebarger.

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