CEDAR CITY, Utah - Former Southern Utah University golfer and Cedar City native Jared Barnes has been elected secretary of the PGA of America, adding a new chapter to his service in golf leadership.
Barnes was elected last week at the PGA of America's 110th Annual Meeting at Red Rock Casino Resort and Spa in Las Vegas, placing the Thunderbird alumnus among the association's national officers. The position begins a six-year path in national leadership: two years as secretary, followed by two years as vice president and two years as president of the association.
Barnes will serve in the national role in addition to his position as head golf professional at Cedar Ridge Golf Course, where he will remain.
"I'm looking forward to serving the more than 30,000 members of the PGA of America during the next six years," Barnes said. "I'm proud to represent Cedar Ridge Golf Course, Cedar City and Southern Utah University on the national stage, and I'm grateful to Cedar City for allowing me the opportunity to serve."
"We're incredibly proud of Jared and what he continues to accomplish," said Southern Utah Director of Golf Richard Church. "To see a former Thunderbird earn the trust of his peers to serve as secretary of the PGA of America is special for our program and the Cedar City community. His commitment to serving others and growing the game sets a tremendous example for our student-athletes."
"SUU women's golf sends a huge congratulations to Jared. No one is more deserving," said Southern Utah head women's golf coach Caylyn McKinlay. "Jared has been an incredible supporter of our team and has done so much for our program. His passion for the game, his willingness to help and the support he shows our players never go unnoticed. We are truly lucky to have him in our corner."
Thunderbird Roots
Barnes competed for Southern Utah's men's golf team for four years and earned his bachelor's degree in accounting in 1996.
"I grew up here, and I'm proud to be a native of Cedar City," Barnes said. "I played golf at SUU and earned my accounting degree there, and Coach John Evans has been my pro and mentor for more than 40 years. The last 12 years being back in this community and working with the golf team to help it succeed have been great. SUU has been a big part of my life, and I owe a lot to it."
Family has been at the center of that journey. Barnes and his wife, Julie, have four children: Clara, Lily, Luke and Anna. Luke, a senior SUU player from Cedar High School, is following in his father's footsteps as a member of the Thunderbirds men's golf team.
Evans, who coached Barnes in high school and college, saw his potential early.
"I've known Jared for 42 years. I could tell when I first met him that he had something special. He was a 14-year-old kid talking to a 45-year-old guy, and I hired him on the spot to work on the range," said former Southern Utah head golf coach John Evans. "I coached him in high school and college. When he played for me, he was a good player, a people person and a leader.
"He's a Cedar City kid and has been a leader for many, many years. He's a family man, and he's been a super golf official and professional for us."
Building Toward National Leadership
Barnes' path to national office included his selection as the PGA's District 9 director, representing the Colorado, Rocky Mountain and Utah sections. The Utah Section announced his selection in September 2019, and he joined the national board in October 2020 for a three-year term. Southern Utah Athletics highlighted the achievement in a November 2020 announcement.
Before joining the national board, Barnes served as a Utah Section officer from 2007 through 2014. His professional career included becoming head golf professional at Cedar Ridge Golf Course in 2013, following positions at Willow Creek Country Club, the Ranches Golf Club and Glen Eagle Golf Course.
His national involvement also extended to committee work. During his earlier campaign for secretary, Barnes described his service on the PGA's Budget Committee and his involvement in discussions with the United States Golf Association concerning amateur-status rules.
A Career of Service
Barnes' work has earned multiple Utah Section honors, including Golf Professional of the Year in 2010, the Bill Strausbaugh Award in 2007 and 2012, and the Player Development Award in 2016.
His election as secretary continues a career that has connected collegiate golf at Southern Utah, local service in Cedar City and leadership on the national stage.
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