07/05/05– FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

FORMER JAG GARETH MAYBIN CAPTURES FIRST PROFESSIONAL WIN
Gareth Clary (story courtesy of The Mobile Register)

MOBILE, Ala.- Gareth Maybin, the University of South Alabama's all-time winningest golfer, scored his first professional victory on Sunday.

The 24-year-old Maybin fired a 3-under-par 69 Sunday and cruised to a two-stroke victory in the Hooters Tour's Bank Camp Realty-Chesdin Landing Open in Chesterfield, Va.

The native of Ballyclare, Northern Ireland, who now plays out of Mobile, earned a career-best check of $31,000, climbing to the top spot on the Hooters Tour money list with $52,109.

"This feels awesome," said Maybin. "There will be a lot of happy people back home in Ireland. My 10 sponsors will be partying it up tonight back in Ballyclare at the Five Corners Pub.

"I will probably buy myself a motorcycle with this money, plus I have to pay for my mom and my girlfriend to fly into Mobile on Monday."

Maybin ended up with a 72-hole total of 17-under-par 271 at Lake Chesdin Golf Club, beating Camilo Benedetti of Orlando, Fla., who finished at 15-under 273 after a 68. Former University of Alabama golfer Nick Rousey of Pensacola finished third at 13-under 275 after a 71.

"I got off to a good start with a 66," said Maybin, who passed PGA Tour pro Heath Slocum's school record for career tournament wins when he won the 2004 Sun Belt Championship for his eighth college win.

"I always play well on the weekend, so I just played my normal game and I also putted great this week."

Maybin started the day with a two-stroke advantage over Rousey and never surrendered the lead in the final round.

He bogeyed the fourth hole, but regained control with birdies at Nos. 6, 8, 10 and 11 and parred in to secure the victory.

Spanish Fort's Todd Bailey tied for 21st in the tournament and earned $1,891.

Maybin's momentum on the Hooters circuit will have to pause because the tour now takes a three-week break.