KEN BARNES
Ken Barnes of Bakersfield, California, has a skeet shooting record filled with many highlights, but he is probably best known as the first shooter in history to break a perfect 400 straight in all four guns. He accomplished this feat at the 1967 Western Open in El Monte, California. This occurred after he had been shooting skeet for only five years. A 10‑time member of All‑America First Teams and twice team captain, Barnes’ record at world shoots includes eight world’ championships; and, at the time, he was one of only three shooters in history who claimed world shoot wins in all three gauges and the .410 bore.
Former holder of the 28 gauge long run record of 565 straight and an eight time perfect scorer with the .410, Barnes was also the first amateur shooter to carry a 99.00 percent annual average in the HOA category. From 1966 to 1969, he won 12 California state championships, including all‑around for four consecutive years. At the world shoot, he has shared victories in every open two‑man category, while his participation in five‑man team events features former team world records in the 20 gauge (498×500), the .410 bore (491 x500) and a perfect 500 straight in the 12 gauge. Barnes has said that his most gratifying achievement is winning eight out of 16 shoot‑offs for individual championships at the world shoot.