Sophomore earns honors day after winning conference tourney

UA sophomore Ricky Barnes was named the Pacific 10 Conference Co-Golfer of the Year yesterday, one day after winning the Pac-10 Championship by three strokes.

"I was really happy, but it was a little disappointing that the team wasn't there with me," Barnes said. "(Arizona head) Coach (Rick LaRose) mentioned something to me right as we left the airport last night. After a while, it sunk in (that) I'm the best player in the Pac-10. It's really overwhelming just to know that."

Barnes will share the honor with Arizona State's Jeff Quinney.

Barnes' victory Sunday was the fourth of his UA career and second of the 2000-01 season.

LaRose had reason to believe Barnes would be a successful player when he recruited him more than two years ago. Barnes's older brother Andy played golf at Arizona from 1996-1999. Barnes' father, Bruce, was a linebacker for the NFL's New England Patriots and played collegiately at UCLA.