Homesick Moynihan confirms Alabama exit
Gavin Moynihan receives his NCAA Championship winner's ring at halftime Bryant-Denny Stadium on Saturday.
Gavin Moynihan remained loyal to his coach until the bitter end — refusing to reveal that he was leaving NCAA champions the University of Alabama until Jay Seawell had officially announced his departure on Monday.
The 20-year old from The Island told us on Sunday that he was thinking about coming home but that "no decision has been made yet."
In reality, he knew in his heart that he was leaving and it hit home on Saturday when he stood with his team mates on the pitch at 84,000 capacity Bryant-Denny Stadium during Alabama's home game with Texas A&M to receive his NCAA Championship winner's ring at halftime. He had to wait for Seawell to make his departure official on Monday before saying anything publicly.
According to Golf Channel's Ryan Lavner, his appearance on the pitch was an emotional experience:
Seawell said Moynihan was crying on the field, in part, the coach said, “because he knew that was his last moment with the team.”
“That’ll do it,” Seawell said by phone Monday. “We’ll take a little bit of a hit there, but it’s a good thing that it’s happening now. We can digest it and put it back together...
“I’m surprised but not floored,” Seawell said. “I knew he was struggling being so far from home. You have to have a serious commitment, to know you’re going to be away from home for a long time and away from your comfort zone. For some guys it’s just harder.”
Moynihan played just three official events for Alabama during his freshman season. His participation in the Bonallack Trophy in India last March meant missing two events and he never got back into the outstanding side that went on to win the NCAA Division One title.
Golfweek reported that Moynihan made the decision last week or at least agonised over it until finally making up his mind on Sunday.
"He's not leaving because he's miserable with college golf or Alabama; he just misses home," Seawell told Golfweek on Monday. "He came to me last week and told me, and you hope that it's a rash decision, but this is something he's agonized over for a while. ... He texted me this weekend and said he's gotten his flight, so it's pretty official."
Contacted about the move on Sunday afternoon, US time, Moynihan told me: "I’m thinking about it but no decision has been made yet... I feel homesick and it is affecting me on the course. I feel more comfortable and happier on the course back in Europe, which leads to better golf."
Of the nine players on the 2014-15 Alabama panel, six are from Alabama with Moynihan the only non-American.
“The lads on team said they could never have gone to college in another state, never mind another country. Everyone understands the situation!”
Even though he wasn't playing his best golf, Moynihan will be missed by Alabama.
"It was a whole new culture and a whole new country for him," Seawell said, adding, "but he did a great job for us at Alabama."
Moynihan played in the Alabama side that won its final event of the year, the Jerry Pate Invitational at the Old Overton Club last week, finishing tied for 21st on five over 215 (68-73-74).
“We’ve got a bunch of scrappers,” Seawell told Golf Channel “With the golf that Gavin was playing, we can replace the score, but it’s his experience in (international) championships that we’ll miss.
“But we don’t feel sorry for ourselves. I have the utmost confidence in our guys or they wouldn’t be here.”
Moynihan did not book his flight home until he'd made up his mind late on Sunday and texted his coach with the bad news.
"He's not leaving because he's miserable with college golf or Alabama; he just misses home," Seawell told Golfweek on Monday. "He came to me last week and told me, and you hope that it's a rash decision, but this is something he's agonized over for a while. ... He texted me this weekend and said he's gotten his flight, so it's pretty official."
