In the old days, daring pilots used to go from town to town performing risky stunts, mostly using farms as their runways. There is a group of professional golfers who basically do the same thing. Fly from town to town, like the old barnstormers. to try to qualify for a PGA tournament by getting a few open spots during Monday qualifying. Usually over 100 pro’s try to get their big break, overcoming very steep odds. One of those golfers is former U of A star Ricky Barnes. After winning the US Amateur Championship, and making the cut at the Masters while still in college…Barnes thought his path to the PGA was paved. While he’s made over $8 million in prize money…it hasn’t always been easy. A few times, he’s finished outside the top 125 in Fed Ex points and lost his exemption. While he has been able to sneak into a few of the less renown tournaments, he needs to Monday qualify for the popular ones. So, off to Las Vegas this week with high hopes. But alas, no luck…he couldn’t beat a 63 (remember, these guys are good) so he has to wait until his next chance. He was a guest on “The Golf Arizona Show” (8-9 am Saturday, ESPN Tucson, 1490 am/104.9 fm) and said he has an invite to the tournaments coming up in the Bahamas and Houston. He’s off to a good start this year and hopes he can parlay some of his early success back into the top 125. 
Besides, Ricky Barnes, another southern Arizona golfer of renown was on the radio show last week. Michael Thompson, fresh off his big win at the 3M Championship. Thompson, who went to Rincon/University High School, was not able to come out to the Arizona Junior Golf tournament named after him, due to issues with Covid 19. However, he was able to talk about his win. Thompson won thanks to a fantastic shot, from the bunker at 16, on the final day. He credited his success on that shot to the many hours he spent in the 49er Country Club bunkers when he was a kid…imagining what he might do if he had the chance as a pro.
Eventhough PAC 12 golf is off until the spring, golfers still can play in tournaments to stay sharp. The U of A’s Trevor Werbylo won the prestigious Tucker Amateur, defeating a very stout field earlier this month in Phoenix. He closed with three straight birdies to get the win.
