x
Skip to main content
Golf Logo
InsideGolf Join Now  / Log In
PGA Tour pro explains how he got invite to Jay-Z’s exclusive party
SHARE
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share by Email
Golf Logo
  • News
    • Latest
      • News
      • Features
      • Shows
      • PGA Tour Schedule
    • Series
      • Tour Confidential
      • Monday Finish
      • Hot Mic
      • Rogers Report
    • Shows
      • The Scoop
      • Subpar
      • Seen & Heard
  • Instruction
    • Game Improvement
      • Driving
      • Approach Shots
      • Bunker Shots
      • Short Game
      • Putting
      • Rules
      • Fitness
    • Series
      • Top 100 Teachers
      • Rules Guy
      • The Etiquetteist
      • Emergency 9
    • Shows
      • Warming Up
      • Play Smart
      • Short Game Chef
      • Pros Teaching Joes
  • Gear
    • Clubs
      • Drivers
      • Irons
      • Hybrids
      • Fairway Woods
      • Wedges
      • Putters
    • Other Gear
      • Balls
      • Shoes
      • Apparel
      • Golf Accessories
    • Series
      • ClubTest
      • Winner’s Bag
    • Shows
      • Fully Equipped
  • Travel & Lifestyle
    • Travel
      • Course Finder
      • Courses
      • Resorts
    • Lifestyle
      • Accessories
      • Celebrities
      • Food
      • Style
      • Betting Advice
    • Shows
      • Super Secrets
      • Destination Golf
  • Shop
    • Shop
      • Clubs
      • Shafts
      • Training Aids
      • Balls
      • Bags
      • Technology
      • Apparel
      • Accessories
      • Our Picks
      • Shop All
    • Collections
      • The GOLF Collection
      • The Birdie Juice Collection
      • The Fully Equipped Collection
      • Shop All
  • Newsletters
    • Sign Up for GOLF’s Newsletters
      • Hot Mic
      • Monday Finish
      • Play Smart
      • Our Picks
      • Top Stories
      • Sign Up for All
  • News
    • Latest News
    • Features
    • Shows
    • PGA Tour Schedule
  • Instruction
    • All Instruction
    • Driving
    • Approach Shots
    • Bunker Shots
    • Short Game
    • Putting
    • Rules
    • Fitness
  • Gear
    • All Gear
    • Drivers
    • Irons
    • Hybrids
    • Fairway Woods
    • Wedges
    • Putters
    • Balls
    • Shoes
    • Apparel
    • Golf Accessories
  • Travel & Lifestyle
    • All Travel
    • All Lifestyle
    • Course Finder
    • Courses
    • Resorts
    • Accessories
    • Celebrities
    • Food
    • Style
    • Betting Advice
  • Series
    • Tour Confidential
    • Monday Finish
    • Hot Mic
    • Rogers Report
    • Rules Guy
    • The Etiquetteist
    • Emergency 9
    • ClubTest
    • Winner’s Bag
  • Shows
    • The Scoop
    • Subpar
    • Seen & Heard
    • Warming Up
    • Play Smart
    • Short Game Chef
    • Pros Teaching Joes
    • Fully Equipped
    • Super Secrets
    • Destination Golf
  • Shop
    • Clubs
    • Shafts
    • Training Aids
    • Balls
    • Bags
    • Technology
    • Apparel
    • Accessories
    • The GOLF Collection
    • The Birdie Juice Collection
    • The Fully Equipped Collection
  • Newsletters
    • Hot Mic
    • Monday Finish
    • Play Smart
    • Top Stories
    • Our Picks
    • Sign Up for All
InsideGolf Join Now  / Log In
InsideGolf

Great for yourself...or your Dad

InsideGOLF
News

PGA Tour pro explains how he got invite to Jay-Z’s exclusive party

By: Josh Berhow
  • Follow on Twitter
  • Follow on Instagram
August 23, 2020
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share by Email
Ricky Barnes, Jay-Z and LeBron James at the launch of Jay-Z's 40/40 club in New York City on June 18, 2003.

Ricky Barnes, Jay-Z and LeBron James at the launch of Jay-Z's 40/40 club in New York City on June 18, 2003.

WireImage

Ricky Barnes was a decorated amateur and in line to be the next big thing on Tour when he turned pro in 2003.

In the early 2000s, he was making quite the name for himself. At Arizona he was the Pac-10 Freshman of the Year (2000), Co-Player of the Year (2001) and a First-Team All-American (2003), but his biggest accomplishment was when he won the 2002 U.S. Amateur. That got him a spot into the 2003 Masters and a tee time next to defending champ Tiger Woods. Barnes then beat Woods by seven shots in the opening round at Augusta National and went on to finish 21st.

Barnes was even featured in ESPN’s “Next” issue alongside LeBron James and others. So, yes, Barnes was a big deal. And it’s not surprising he had brands chasing him like one. One potential suitor even had a relationship with Jay-Z, which helped Barnes earn the invite of a lifetime to hang out with A-list celebs and athletes.

Barnes told the story on this week’s Subpar Podcast with Colt Knost and Drew Stoltz. It all started when he got a phone call when he was in Chicago for the 2003 U.S. Open (he tied for 59th). His phone rang, and he was told there was someone who wanted to talk to him. It was Jay-Z.

“I opened up the 40/40 club; do you wanna come?” Barnes recalled him saying. “I’m like, yeah. ‘You’re in.'”

News
magnolia lane gate closed
PGA Tour pro shares his mind-blowing, late-night Augusta National hijinks
By: James Colgan

Barnes said he spent another day or two in the Chicago area and then flew to New York City, got put up in a hotel in Midtown Manhattan and then went to the launch of Jay-Z’s 40/40 Sports Bar. The rest, well, was pretty good too. He hung out with NBA stars — LeBron, Tracy McGrady and more — and musicians like Lil’ Kim. Barnes said Jay-Z’s “Black Album” dropped that night, and they played it twice through before he left.

Barnes said he thought the dream was too good to be true when he had to step out and go to the bathroom, only to return and have two security guards not let him back into the VIP area. Then Jay-Z saw him trying to talk his way back in and came to the rescue.

“He goes, ‘This guy, tonight, he can go anywhere,'” Barnes said.

You can listen to Barnes’ complete Subpar interview below.

Latest In News

8 minutes ago

2025 U.S. Open Saturday channel: How to watch Round 3 on TV

19 minutes ago

2025 U.S. Open Saturday TV coverage: How to watch Round 3

7 hours ago

If this was Phil Mickelson’s final U.S. Open, here’s what goodbye looked like

9 hours ago

Was Oakmont Phil Mickelson's final U.S. Open? Our writers chime in

Josh Berhow

Golf.com Editor

As GOLF.com’s managing editor, Berhow handles the day-to-day and long-term planning of one of the sport’s most-read news and service websites. He spends most of his days writing, editing, planning and wondering if he’ll ever break 80. Before joining GOLF.com in 2015, he worked at newspapers in Minnesota and Iowa. A graduate of Minnesota State University in Mankato, Minn., he resides in the Twin Cities with his wife and two kids. You can reach him at joshua_berhow@golf.com.

  • Author Twitter Account
  • Author Instagram Account

Related Articles

News
xander schauffele hits a drive during an oakmont practice round

U.S. Open Subpar picks: Favorite bets of the week

By: Josh Berhow
News
fin ewing swings golf club

How Fin Ewing became a name synonymous with Texas junior golf

By: Zephyr Melton
News
taylor pendrith walks at the rbc canadian open

RBC Canadian Open Subpar picks: Favorite bets of the week

By: Josh Berhow
News
Stephen Allan hoists the Holden Australian Open trophy in 2002.

'Offended' by long-shot odds, this pro bet on himself. Then won

By: Josh Berhow
News
Steve Allan of Australia lifts the winners trophy on the 18th green during the third round of The Galleri Classic 2025 at Mission Hills Country Club on March 30, 2025 in Rancho Mirage, California.

Why this recent winner's golf career is a lesson in perseverance

By: Jessica Marksbury
News
Keegan Bradley acknowledges the crowd after the final round of the 2025 PGA Championship.

Memorial Tournament picks: Subpar hosts' best bets for Muirfield Village

By: Josh Schrock
News
daniel berger smiles in adidas had and shirt at charles schwab challenge

Charles Schwab Challenge Subpar picks: Favorite bets for Colonial

By: Josh Berhow
News
Subpar's Colt Knost and Drew Stoltz prepare to ride the sandrails with NASCAR's Kyle Busch.

Behind the scenes of Subpar's wild day at sand rails with Kyle Busch

By: GOLF Editors
News
Former NLF QB Derek Anderson hits a tee shot on the 13th hole during the first round of the Bob Hope Classic.

'This sh-- is stressful!' Why caddying on PGA Tour shook this NFL QB

By: Kevin Cunningham
Sign up for GOLF's Newsletters
Get the latest news, the hottest instruction tips, new product releases, golf media insider reports and more delivered directly to your inbox. Choose your favorites now.
Sign Up
Categories
  • News
  • Instruction
  • Gear
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
Services
  • Masthead
  • GOLF Media Kit
  • GOLF Magazine Customer Service
  • TERMS OF SERVICE
  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • Opt-out of Ads/Sharing
  • Your Privacy Choices
Social
  • facebook
  • x
  • instagram
  • youtube
Membership
InsideGOLF Logo
More than $140 Value for JUST $39.99

INCLUDES 12 SRIXON Z-STAR XV GOLF BALLS, 1 YR OF GOLF MAGAZINE, $20 FAIRWAY JOCKEY CREDIT - AND MUCH MORE!

LEARN MORE

© 2025 EB Golf Media LLC. An 8AM Golf Affiliated Brand. All Rights Reserved. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. If you buy a linked product, GOLF.COM may earn a fee. Pricing may vary.

Go to mobile version