Thomas Weir, a Business Administration major at Delaware County Community College, placed fifth at the National Junior College Athletic Association Division III Men’s Golf Championship at Chautauqua Golf Club in Chautauqua, N.Y.

Weir, a native of Newtown Square who graduated from Marple Newtown High School, finished 18-over par at the four-day tournament, and became Delaware County Community College’s first student-athlete to earn All-American honors.

“My original goal was to place in the Top 18,” he said of a ranking that would secure him All-American honors. “This was my first time playing in a four-day tournament, and I’m really happy with my success and to be the college’s first All-American student-athlete.”

Golf has been an integral part of Weir’s life since he began playing seriously four years ago. When he’s not in class, you’ll find him caddying at Aronimink or practicing at Paxon Hollow. Where he needed conditioning, however, was in preparing for the mental pressure of a championship tournament. That’s where coach Wayne Horn helped.

Horn, who has coached men’s golf for more than 20 years, recognized the raw talent in Weir as soon as he joined the team, but he also saw that, as a young player, Weir wasn’t comfortable with the pressures of tournament play.

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“This year, I worked with Tom on not only his golf game, but also on ways to handle stress and what to expect,” Horn said. “I played alongside him – to apply pressure – while showing him different ways to play a particular hole.”

“Coach Horn was a big help to me, and I want him to get the most credit for my success,” said Weir. “He knew that I could play but that I needed shaping.”

“I’m on cloud nine and very proud of Tom,” Horn said. “I’m also excited for the college because we have never had an All-American athlete. I hope this will encourage more students to participate in sports here.”

“Tom’s national performance is huge for the Phantoms’ athletics department,” said Suni Blackwell, Director of Wellness, Athletics, and Recreation. “Delaware County should take notice and know that the college produces very good student-athletes that compete at a high level and go on to be productive members of society.”

Weir will be back at the college for the 2018-19 academic year before transferring to West Chester University to complete his bachelor’s degree.

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