Chris Barnes (bowling)

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Chris Barnes is an American professional bowler currently on the Denny's PBA Tour (Professional Bowlers Association).

Born on February 25, 1970, Barnes is a current resident of Double Oak, Texas. Barnes, a right-handed bowler, is one of the leading pros on the tour today. He has won over $1.5 million in total prize money during his nine-year career on tour, and he has won around $900,000 since the 2004-2005 season. Chris also won the PBA Rookie of the Year Award in 1998.

Chris has been married to high school sweetheart Lynda Barnes since 1999. Lynda, an accomplished bowler in her own right, is currently a member of Team USA, representing the United States in international competition.

The couple also has twin sons, Troy and Ryan, born in May 2002.

1 Career Achievements
2 Skills Challenge
3 A League of Ordinary Gentlemen
4 Career Denny's PBA Tour Titles
5 External links

[edit] Career Achievements

Barnes currently owns eight career Denny's PBA Tour titles, including the 62nd U.S. Open, and the 2006 Dexter Tournament of Champions. He has won at least one title in six consecutive seasons, and has made 50 TV Finals appearances in just nine seasons on the Denny's PBA Tour. Barnes has also finished second in a tournament sixteen times in his elustrious career.

On Sunday, March 25, 2007, Barnes attempted to become only the fifth bowler in Denny's PBA Tour history to win the Triple Crown, which consists of the U.S. Open, World Championship, and Tournament of Champions, at the 2007 Denny's World Championship. Unfortunately, after defeating Tony Reyes in the semi-final match, Chris was taken down by Doug Kent in the final, 237-216, to finish in second place.

Barnes also won the first two PBA Motel 6 Roll to Riches tournaments, which include a winner-take-all format with a grand prize of $200,000. The second tournament was held in April 2006 in Lewisville, Texas, a mere eight miles from his Flower Mound residence. Unfortunately in 2007, numerous factors resulted in Barnes not getting an opportunity for a three-peat at the event. But he came awfully close. His first chance to earn a spot in the event would've been by winning a Major title. He made the TV finals for the 2007 World Championship and Tournament of Champions, but didn't win either Major. He also could've earned a spot on the show as the World Point Rankings leader, but he finished second behind Wes Malott. And lastly, he could've made it as one of the top two vote getters in an online fan poll, held on www.pba.com, but Barnes finished third, with legends Walter Ray Williams Jr. and Norm Duke finishing in the top two.

Barnes was also the fastest player to reach $1,000,000 in career earnings, eclipsing the previous record held by Pete Weber and Jason Couch.

During the 2006-2007 Denny's PBA Tour season, fellow Denny's PBA Tour bowler Norm Duke took part in the ESPN telecasts for events in which he failed to reach the TV Finals. Along with Dave Ryan and Randy Pedersen, he served as a second color commentator. However, during events in which Norm made the TV Finals, Chris filled in as the third commentator.

[edit] Skills Challenge

Barnes has also proved to be one of the top trick-shot bowlers on the tour today. He has made the "Flying Eagle" more than anyone, but perhaps his greatest skills shot is his ability to bowl with his opposite hand, his left hand.

His skills paid off in the 2005 Miller High Life Skills Challenge, when he defeated Parker Bohn III for the $20,000 top prize. In the 2006 PBA Skills Challenge, Barnes lost to eventual champion Norm Duke in the semifinals. For the 2006-2007 Denny's PBA Tour season, bowlers competed in pairs. Barnes teamed up with twelve-time tour titlist Del Ballard Jr. Unfortunately, they were defeated in the opening round by Wes Malott and Chris Johnson.

[edit] A League of Ordinary Gentlemen

Barnes is featured in the 2006 documentary A League of Ordinary Gentlemen along with current Denny's PBA Tour superstars Pete Weber and Walter Ray Williams Jr., and 20-time Denny's PBA Tour titlist Wayne Webb. The film follows the four bowlers as they take part in the 2002-2003 Denny's PBA Tour season.