By Erick Rommel | Catholic News Service

Sendai, Japan, is a city that many Americans had never heard of before March's devastating earthquake and tsunami.Sendai was known as the City of Trees; now it is known as the city closest to the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant.

For the more than 1 million people who live in Sendai and the millions of others across Japan affected by the natural disaster, one of the most powerful in human history, the devastation wasn't something that they saw on the news; it was an unspeakable horror that they personally experienced, and one that will affect their memories for the rest of their lives.

Imagine if a natural disaster hit the area surrounding your town. Think of your favorite restaurant, your school, the field where you learned to play soccer. Now imagine those places forever altered.

Would you be overwhelmed with thoughts of the last words you spoke to people you care about and whether those wordswere worthy of a final farewell? Would you be able to work or go to class without thinking of those who used to sit beside you, telling you jokes? Would you be able to follow your regular routine?

I believe that the answer to each of these questions is yes. No matter what happens, people always find the strength to overcome, not because they are uncaring, but because that's who they are.

Hideki Matsuyama is one of those who found the strength to overcome. When the earthquake hit, the 19-year-old sophomore at Fukushi University in Sendai was in Australia. When he returned to campus, the devastation shocked him. He had to ask himself if he would allow the disaster to overwhelm him or continue as normal a routine as possible.

Matsuyama is not just a student; he'salso a top amateur golfer. In 2010, he won the Asian Amateur Championship. That earned him a spot at the 2011 Masters, one of the most exclusive golf events in the world.

At first, Matsuyama wasn't sure that traveling to the United States was the right thing to do. Then he thought of how his talent could inspire and encourage his country, a country that loves golf and adores its national heroes.

"I decided to play at the Masters not only for myself but for the people who made me who I am," he said. "The Masters has been my dream. It's their dream as well. Doing my best here is my obligation for them."

Matsuyama made the trip to Augusta, Ga., teeing off alongside the best golfers in the world. During the first two days, he played exceptionally well. He became only the second amateur to make the cut since 2005, and that made him the top amateur in the competition.

Then he showed the talent and skill necessary to inspire a nation. He shot the best round by an amateur in 10 years. He was one shot off the best round of the day, shooting five birdies -- three more than Tiger Woods and only one less than South African pro golfer Charl Schwartzel, the eventual Masters champion. Matsuyama finished the competition tied for 27th place.

With his success, no one could fault Matsuyama for becoming a professional golfer, but that's not who he is. He'll return to Fukushi University when it reopens next month. He plans to stay until he graduates in three years. He's also preparing for another golf tournament, this year's Asian Amateur. If he wins, he'll be back in Augusta again next year, once again proving that sometimes winning is more than just the final score.