Collegians wish Masters week wouldn't end

AUGUSTA, Ga.--Officially, the Masters ended for Alabama senior Michael Thompson and Virginia Tech junior Drew Weaver on Friday afternoon when the amateurs missed the cut with scores of seven-over 151 and 12-over 156, respectively. Unofficially, though, the two hoped to take in a little more of the experience this weekend. Both stayed in the Crow's Nest another night Friday and were out on the practice putting green outside the clubhouse Saturday morning.

"I've got the ACC Championship coming up next week. I can't think of a better place to get in a little practice," Weaver said.

A day earlier, an emotionally exhausted Weaver walked off the course teary eyed, noting how much time had gone into getting ready for this week and how suddenly it had all come to an end. Thompson concurred: "You anticipate this week for so long and you put in all this preparation. Then it gets here and seems to go by in the blink of an eye."

The challenge now, of course, for both is to get back into a normal routine after living a dream for the past week. "I'm pretty behind in my school work," joked Weaver, who also will be dealing with the emotions that are sure to come with the one-year anniversary of the shootings on the Virginia Tech campus this Wednesday.

Thompson also returns to college golf this coming weekend as the top-ranked Crimson Tide men's team looks to take the title at the SEC Championship.

"I think my game's in pretty good shape for it," Thompson said. "Hard to think that playing in the Masters isn't pretty good preparation."