Drew Weaver: I will be haunted for live by Virgina Tech horror

Apr 13 2008 By Euan Mclean

WHEN it was over, the floodgates opened and out poured the pent-up emotions from the most turbulent 12 months of Drew Weaver's life.

It started amid the horror of April 16 when he ran for cover from the stomach churning sound of gunshots and screams as 32 of his fellow Virginia Tech students and teachers were massacred in the deadliest school shooting in America's history.

In its wake the student carried his university's crest everywhere along his road to the biggest stages in golf as victory in The Amateur Championship two months later earned him his ticket to The Open and finally this week's Masters.

The timing of the 20-year-old's Augusta appearance could barely be more timely as this Wednesday marks the first anniversary of that terrible day.

So it was understandable that when his Masters dream ended on Friday - missing the cut on 12-over par - that the emotions flooded out in the arms of his family waiting behind the 18th green.

The toughest, yet most exciting year of his life had come full circle - but as Weaver looks ahead to a bright future as a pro, he admits he will always keep alive the memory of Virginia Tech's victims.

He said: "Next week will be tough but hopefully I can keep on trying to represent the university in a good way.

"That's my main goal. It is why I wear the Virginia Tech logo and carry the bag. I just want to do it for them.

"There has been a ton of messages of support, emails and texts from fellow students and families of victims.

"A major championship is physically and mentally draining and the bottom line is I'm exhausted.

"It's been a stressful week and I need some time to cool out. I'll take a few days away from golf and hopefully catch up on some school work."

Weaver shows maturity to handle his emotions - but a delve into his past reveals the roots of his resilience.

Aged 10 he saw his mother Cathy almost die from a ruptured artery.

Ten days later he was a witness as a man had his throat slashed in the toilets of a McDonald's near his North Carolina home. Two years later his pharmacist grandfather survived being shot in an armed robbery.

Then aged 15 he was robbed on the golf course by a man claiming to have a gun in his pocket.

Despite all that Weaver strives to promote a positive message by wearing Virginia Tech's orange and burgundy colours and sporting the university logo on his cap.

Through the efforts of ambassadors like himself, the university's good name can overcome the stigma of last April's events.

But for one heart-rending day this week, Weaver and thousands of fellow students will stop to remember those who were taken too soon.

But honouring them will be a lifetime's work.

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