Two Hokies in the Field Realize a 'Lifelong Dream'

AUGUSTA, Ga., April 9 -- No matter what happens over the next few days at Augusta National, a couple of awestruck Virginia Tech golfers, past and present, will never forget their first appearance in the 72nd Masters.

Drew Weaver, a junior, last June became the first American to win the British Amateur in 29 years, qualifying him for the 2007 British Open and his first Masters.

Johnson Wagner, a 2002 graduate and a PGA Tour member for less than 18 months, earned an invitation with his first Tour victory last Sunday in the Houston Open, giving him the final spot in the field of 92.

The two have played two practice rounds together, and their college coach, Jay Hardwick, is also on the property basking in their glory.

"Like all of us, it's a lifelong dream," Weaver said. "I looked over at my coach and said, 'Did you ever think you would be watching this group in a Masters practice round?' It's definitely a great experience and something we'll carry with us forever."

Weaver had a short chat with Tiger Woods earlier in the week and the No. 1 player in the world told him to "go kick [butt] out there." On Wednesday night, Weaver took a wrong turn in the clubhouse and walked in on Woods, Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus sipping cocktails before the start of the champion's dinner. He quickly reversed course.

Weaver, a native of High Point, N.C., said he first met Wagner last summer when he went to watch him play.

"He's got an incredible amount of game," Weaver said. "Just a really, really good guy to hang around. I think he's doing what I want to be doing five years down the road. That's very neat to see somebody who is going through the same steps I have to go through."

Wagner flew to Augusta on Sunday night after his management team arranged for someone to drive his RV from Houston to Augusta, so Wagner will be able to drive home to Charlotte after the tournament. He had planned to take this week off and go to Kiawah Island, S.C., for a short vacation; instead he has an 11:18 a.m. tee time Thursday with Craig Stadler and Steve Flesch.

Wagner is also a huge admirer of Weaver, who plays with Jonathan Byrd and Raymond Floyd at 12:46 p.m.

"Drew just absolutely kills the ball, which irritated me [Monday] when he was hitting it by me," Wagner said. "He hits it high, he hits it far, putts it nicely and he's got a really good short game, and I think he can do really well here."

More Golfers, Except Women

Masters Chairman Billy Payne announced a "worldwide initiative to grow golf," including soliciting ideas from the public via the Internet.

The program includes a provision for visitors to the club's Web site, Masters.org, to submit suggestions on how to get more people involved in the sport.

One way the club apparently is not ready to grow involves its own membership -- specifically, admitting women to what has always been an all-male institution. Asked about that Wednesday, Payne said: "I don't talk about membership issues, that's reserved for the private deliberations of the members. Other than that, I'm not going to talk about it."