A British Open berth, Japan Tour qualification and a new lease on life has the big-hitting Kurt Barnes on the verge of something very special in 2010. In a candid interview with Golfer Pacific editor, BRAD CLIFTON, Barnes revealed how a few simple lifestyle changes have suddenly left him with the world at his feet
LADIES and gentlemen – he’s arrived – Kurt Barnes has finally arrived on the golf scene after so many years of teasing us with a swing that just oozed potential.
And while many pundits out there will be scratching their heads as to why Barnes has taken so long to get his game and attitude right, he admitted it was all just a matter of somebody finally ‘flicking the switch.’
One of Australia’s most gifted and powerful ball strikers, Barnes has had to dig deep to keep his image in check during his six colourful years on the professional circuit – dodging scrutiny from tabloid media and golf officials for his party boy ways.
The much maligned 28-year-old, who hails from Muswellbrook in NSW, has even been labelled ‘Australia’s own John Daly’.
And while such a comparison could be seen as a little extreme, Barnes and Daly will soon share one thing in common – apart from their need for nicotine – they will both have played in the British Open at St Andrews, Scotland.
Barnes secured every golfer’s dream last month when he fired a final round 64 to blitz the field in the international final qualifying for the Open Championship at Melbourne’s famed Kingston Heath.
He collected one of the three Open spots on offer – the other two going to the evergreen Peter Senior and NSW young gun Ewan Porter.
Barnes’ performance was nothing short of outstanding around a course that he admitted had long been his ‘nemesis’. It also followed his hot run of form in Japan recently, where he played some of the most consistent golf of his career to secure his 2010 Japan Tour card. Put simply, it’s been a dramatic turnaround from the 2001 Australian Amateur Champion, who only chose golf after representing his state in athletics, rugby league, soccer and touch football as a junior.
“There have definitely been a few ups and downs over the last six years,” Barnes said.
“But I decided it was time for a change of lifestyle, and luckily I’ve had a lot of family support – all part of Team Barnes – and they have helped me change the way I play and prepare for competition, and so far it seems to be a winner.”
Team Barnes was formed last year – a professional support group to keep the promising pro on the straight and narrow.
The team is spearheaded by Barnes’ golf coach and manager Christian Small, together with life coach and sports motivator, John Novak and an unnamed Victorian businessman, and the three will assist and direct Barnes on any decisions he makes in all aspects of his life and career. Barnes openly credits them for getting his career back on track.
“John Novak has been fantastic for me and together with Christian and my family, we are now able to sit back and be smarter on how we plan my schedule,” Barnes said.
“We made a decision back in May that I was going to go to Japan and give it a crack and although I missed the Australian Open, which was hard, it’s turned out to be one of the best decisions I’ve made, career-wise.”
The decision to try and qualify for the Open Championship was justified too, with Barnes producing one of the best ball-striking rounds ever seen at Kingston Heath. The Heath layout has long been a no-go zone for Barnes, providing him with plenty of physical and mental anguish … but not anymore.
“I’ve played the Heath a lot over the years and I have never shot a score anywhere near a 64, I always walked off with nothing better than a 78,” Barnes said.
Maybe it had something to do with the shirt he was wearing? On the morning of his final round, while driving to the course, Barnes was working his way through a McDonalds breakfast when he spilt orange juice all over himself.
With his tee time fast approaching, Barnes needed a new shirt and was forced to ‘donate $90’ to the Kingston Heath pro shop in exchange for a club polo. It was money well-spent as he went on to fire nine birdies and leave his rivals in his wake to officially sound himself as Australia’s British Open bolter for 2010.
“Shooting 64 around the Heath – to be honest I think I only missed one shot that day, so when you’re hitting them like that you are going to give yourself a very good chance to score well and that’s something I’m starting to do more consistently now – create chances and actually taking a few of them,” Barnes said.
And as for his new lucky shirt?
“The boys have suggested I wear it at the British Open now, so we’ll see what happens I guess,” Barnes laughed.
With a loving partner, Casey, by his side and a young son, Kayden, ready to start school, Barnes has had to change his priorities.
And if fatherhood has taught him anything, it’s patience – and that alone has turned his golf game upside down.
“I’m definitely a lot more patient with my golf and I’m playing better for it,” Barnes said.
“Having that support and motivation behind you helps you make the right decisions.
“Even last year I wanted to go to States and play, but Dad talked me out of it. He knows what’s right for me and it is great having that support because look where it has got me now.”
While the Japan Tour will soon be his sole focus, Barnes could be forgiven for thinking about his appointment with St Andrews’ Old Course in July. And he believes he won’t be there to purely make up the numbers.
“I’d like to think my game would suit St Andrews and links golf,” Barnes said.
“St Andrews is a course with a lot of run so I’ll use irons off the tee when I can and just stay patient and keep myself in play and hopefully the good scoring will follow.”
While many see Barnes’ return to form as ‘out of the blue’, the man himself doesn’t agree.
“I wouldn’t say it has come from nowhere – I’ve worked pretty hard for a long time now,” Barnes said.
“People have always talked about me having a natural ability to play – and I finally realised a switch had to be flicked.
“Now, that switch has been flicked and I’m hoping 2010 is going to be a big year for Team Barnes.”
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