From his start as a youth league bowler to his current status as a top star on the Professional Bowlers Association Tour, Barnes has tasted success at every level of bowling.
The Topeka, Kan., native began his bowling journey in youth leagues under the watchful eye of his late father, Phil Barnes, who taught him the basics of the sport. His father’s coaching advice – and that of others – would play an integral role in Barnes’ development and future success. More
After mastering the fundamentals during his formative years, Barnes eventually took his bowling talents to Wichita State University. The right-hander was a two-time first-team National Collegiate Bowling Coaches Association All-American in 1990 and 1992 as the Wichita State men finished as runners-up in the Intercollegiate Bowling Championships (now the USBC Intercollegiate Team Championships). Barnes finished his collegiate career in style in 1992 by being named Collegiate Bowler of the Year and earning a degree.
Following his collegiate stint, Barnes moved on to the next stage of his bowling career with USBC Team USA, the United States’ amateur bowling team. As a five-time Team USA member (1994-97), Barnes captured two gold medals in the 1995 Pan American Games in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and four golds in the 1997 Federation Internationale des Quilleurs American Zone Championships in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
After making his mark on the sport as an amateur, Barnes brought his talents to the professional level. In 1998, the highly-touted Barnes joined the PBA Tour to much fanfare – and the rookie didn’t disappoint. Barnes was named PBA Rookie of the Year in 1998, a sign of things to come in his pro career.
In just eight seasons, Barnes has won seven titles and has amassed $1,346,367 in career PBA earnings, becoming the fastest player to earn $1 million. He reached the milestone in 220 career events, surpassing the previous mark of 253 events by Pete Weber and Jason Couch. Included in Barnes’ PBA Tour championships are two majors, the 2005 U.S. Open and the 2006 Dexter Tournament of Champions that were conducted on USBC Sport Bowling lane conditions. He is now just a World Championship shy of becoming the fifth bowler to win the Triple Crown. Barnes, an exempt player on the PBA Tour, has rolled 28 career 300 games as a Denny’s PBA Tour member. |
