Four members of the Alabama men’s golf team, fresh off their first national championship in school history, golfed their way to a dominating victory for the United States over Europe in the 17th Palmer Cup June 9. Seniors Bobby Wyatt and Cory Whitsett, along with junior Justin Thomas, represented the Crimson Tide in the global competition. Alabama coach Jay Seawell served as team captain.
The 2013 Palmer Cup, an amateur transcontinental event, was played at the lavish country club in Wilmington, Del. The competition pits 10 collegiate golfers on each side against each other in a style much like the professional Ryder Cup.
Whitsett, from Houston, Texas, was one of six automatic qualifiers for the U.S. Team. Thomas, the 2012 winner of the Haskins Award, which goes to the nation’s top collegiate golfer, was one of three committee selections.
However, it was Wyatt, the only selection allotted to Seawell, who sealed the deal on America’s decisive victory over Europe, validating Seawell’s choice.
“He was the best player that could have been there,” Seawell said. “Every captain in the world would have picked Bobby. I’ve never made an easier decision.”
Wyatt, from Mobile, Ala., evened up his match with Europe’s Kevin Phelan to end any attempts at a comeback.
“It was an honor to represent the whole country out on the course,” Wyatt said. “It’s something you don’t really experience a whole lot, so it was great to have that opportunity.”
With the knowledge that a big lead was blown by the U.S. in last year’s Palmer Cup, Seawell took notice to every drive and putt to take a 9-7-1 series lead in the transcontinental competition.
“Well, it was a little different because most of those guys weren’t on [that] team,” Seawell said. “They just wanted to win for the United States.”
The Tide trio notched 4 points on the final day of the tournament after needing only 1.5 points coming into that day to secure the title. After Alabama’s trio of players nabbed 5.5 points the day before, Whitsett pushed the team to the brink with his 3-2 victory over Scott Fernandez. Wyatt took over from there.
Thomas, from St. Xavier High School in Goshen, Ky., won his singles matches 2 and 1 against Sebastian Cappelen.
After unarguably the most successful season for men’s golf in Crimson Tide history, Seawell only said he wants to continue to do the things that have made the current group so successful.
“We just want to get back to doing what we do,” he said. “We’re getting excited about the new season and new team.”
The new team will not only bring new faces to the program but see old ones depart, including former fifth-year senior Scott Strohmeyer and possibly Thomas.
“We are not sure yet; [Thomas] has not informed us of whether or not he’s going pro,” Seawell said. “As of right now, he is registered for classes and will be on the team.”
Whitsett and Wyatt have both confirmed they will be back for their senior seasons.
