No Mulligan for Ryan Barnett
The sweat from a hot August day was visible on the 18th hole tee box amidst a group of spectators in rural North Carolina. The fast greens of Pinehurst might not possess the same fear as teeing off on the 17th hole at TPC Sawgrass, but they still hold some anxiety. The number two golfer teed off with a booming swing.
"You can really feel it when you fully connect with the ball," he exclaimed. "It goes through your whole body." The afternoon sun was about to disappear over the tress at the historic Pinehurst Country Club; but for University of Tampa golfer Ryan Barnett, it was just another day of living out a childhood dream.
The first irons Barnett ever swung at age four were nearly twice his height. "Golf was definitely a family thing. My father and uncles are all obsessed with the sport," said Barnett inside the conference room at the University of Tampa Athletic office.
Having a family deeply rooted in golf gave him many opportunities to learn about the game. "Growing up in our house, you really had no choice but to adopt the game into your life," joked the Syosset, N.Y. native.
Golf has provided Barnett with many unique opportunities. In 2004, he participated in the United States Amateur Championship at Winged Foot Golf Club.
"It was kind of funny, here I was at the biggest tournament I've ever been a part of, and it was taking place in my home state," said the former St. Anthony's High School captain. At St. Anthony's, he held the record for total number of birdies in a season, and was voted to the all-Long Island team twice during his career.
After high school, Barnett worked hard to get his name out to prospective colleges. "The recruiting process is very different in golf. Coaches don't really go on recruiting visits. You have to make your own highlight video and do most of the work yourself," said Barnett. After a brief stint at St. Joseph's University, Barnett decided to head south to pursue a golfing career.
"It's ironic because I hadn't even planned on visiting the campus in Tampa. It just so happened I was in the area and it worked out. The campus is so nice, and it has such a great location being in downtown," said the communications major scheduled to graduate in May 2009.
Since his transfer, Barnett has chalked up an impressive record with five top 10 finishes in 2008. Through six matches in 2009, he already has two top 15 finishes.
When he's not crushing the ball on the tee or studying in the classroom, Barnett takes full advantage of the golf atmosphere in Tampa. "I had a chance to work the PODS Championship last year at Innisbrook Golf Club," said the 22-year-old golf enthusiast.
"I worked at the driving range throughout the tournament. It was really cool just talking with the guys after they got off their rounds." While Barnett appreciates the players on the current tour, he is not hard pressed to play favorites. "My all time favorite is definitely Ben Hogan. I heard a lot about him when I was growing up and I just admire the kind of person that he was."
Although Barnett would love a chance to play on the PGA Tour, he tries to keep it in perspective. "I've always tried to keep golf as a fun activity. I feel like if I begin to take it too seriously, I won't love it as much as I do."
At the same time, he is quick to acknowledge the talent on the PGA Tour. "I have played on some of the courses when they were set up for a professional tournament. It is pretty incredible to play in those conditions and see what the golfers go through," said Barnett.
"The margin for error is so small in golf. Sometimes what separates the millionaires from the amateurs is making the 16-foot putt at Augusta National with all the whole world watching."
Written by Ryan Messier