By
Kamy Shaygan and Ryan Finley
Arizona Daily Wildcat
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.
"I expected Ricky to be a great player," LaRose said. "He's turned out to be perhaps the best player we've ever had at Arizona at this point."
A native of Stockton, Calif., and last season's Pac-10 Freshman of the Year, Barnes chose to play at Arizona with the intention of becoming a professional golfer in the future.
"I think when you're thinking about picking a college and want to go pro, you want to pick a college that is going to develop your game," Barnes said. "(Arizona is a) great place to get started."
For now, LaRose is glad to have Barnes on the roster and believes the professional circuit can wait.
"The pro tour is a ways off, so it's hard to say," LaRose said. "I would like to think he is (ready). Right now, his biggest concern is doing a good job in college."
Although Barnes has been the star of the UA men's golf team for the past two seasons, LaRose is confident the sophomore will improve.
"He's a fine player and has had a great year," LaRose said. "He can get a lot better."
LaRose credits Barnes' success to the sophomore's work ethic.
"His dedication comes in the weight room," LaRose said. "He works out hard and that helps him out. He approaches it like it's a football contest. He's in such good shape, it helps him on the golf course."
Barnes - whose exceptional play also earned him a slot on the All-Pac-10 first team - wasn't the only Wildcat to be honored by the conference.
Junior Cody Beyer and freshman Chris Nallen earned All Pac-10 Second Team honors. Sophomore Reid Hatley was also named as an honorable mention selection.
