July 24, 2006

BLYTHEVILLE, Ark. - Former UT Arlington golfer Adam Babb (Arlington, Texas) sank a 10-foot putt on the first playoff hole Sunday in the final round of The Thunder Bayou Classic over the 7,232 yard, par-72 Thunder Bayou Golf Links to win his first ever Hooters Tour title.

"It feels great to finally see all the hard work and trials and tribulations payoff today," said the 28-year-old Babb.

"This is my fifth event out here this season and you have to be able to go low everyday to compete with these guys, so I knew that two or three under score wouldn't get it done today."

Babb and Tee McCabe (MarcoIsland, Fla.) finished the 72-hole tournament dead locked at 22-under par 266 after each players fired six and seven-under par totals to make the playoff. After McCabe missed the green with his third shot, Babb rolled in the ten-footer for the win. For the week, Babb fired rounds of 65-68-67-66.

"I hit my tee shot in the fairway and Tee was in the rough and this golf course rewards you if you are in the fairway. When he hit his third in the bunker it made me feel a little easier but you still have to make that putt," said the former UT-Arlington golfer.

"Standing over the last putt, I just told myself to go through your routine, you have made I can't tell you how many 10-footers on the practice green."

Babb, the 2000 Southland Conference individual champion, collects a Hooters Tour best $20,257 for his first professional win, while McCabe walks home with $10,107 for his efforts.