NYT: A Paisa taking over the PGA (Golf) - Camilo Villegas

rhydewithdis says on Mar 19, 2008, 10:03:

bump for this active post =)

They said I couldn't play football I was too small / They say I couldn't play basketball I wasn't tall / They say I couldn't play baseball at all / And now everyday of my life I ball.

Simon says on Mar 19, 2008, 10:03:

Just great, not only do I have to start watching NASCAR and even American Idol, but now golf too? Will these Colombians just stop excelling?

"You want to talk to God? Let's go see him together, I've got nothing better to do."---Indiana Jones (Raiders of the Lost Ark)

Monpirri says on Mar 19, 2008, 10:06:

I wish Camilo Villegas good luck!!

Annette Taddeo for US Congress 2008

beisbollover says on Mar 19, 2008, 10:37:

Camilo already has a reputation in the golf world as an up and coming star. It would be a tremendous disappointment if he did anything less than excel. One of his trademarks is how he contorts his body, bends down and "eyes" his put before he hits the ball. Last year he "broke out" when he played in Miami, so watch out for him this weekend. Many Colombians follow him around the golf course cheering him on.

azunoman says on Mar 19, 2008, 14:11:

What would be really nice is for there to be a municipal/public course(s) in Medellin. Unless you can get into the private country club you don't even know what golf is. I don't know for sure but it seems the country club's are like walled fortresses still from the bad old days.

Hopefully Villegas can get awareness of the game out there for the typical Colombian youth.

Was rooting for him last week in the Arnold Palmer Invitational and try to use him on my fantasy golf. The broadcasters and TV networks make sure to get him a little coverage even if he is back where you don't normally get any coverage.

Ready, Fire, Aim

toneloc24 says on Mar 19, 2008, 14:44:

Sorry to bust your bubble. Tiger Woods hasn't lost in .............? The PGA, these days, starts and ends with him. So what's Villegas taking over exactly? Not a slight against Villegas, just stating facts.

I will say, it's great that the PGA is becoming more diverse, and I do wish Villegas well. He'll need it. Let him get his 1st major win, and there'll be something to that. Apparently, Tiger needs new competition, and it would be great for golf. Seems like he's playing out there against himself these days, with everyone else playing for 2nd.

"Don't tase me, bro!!!!"

billyb says on Mar 19, 2008, 15:09:

I think the gist of the article was that he was taking over the galleries in So. Florida, like he did last year. His galleries matched Tiger's and Villegas had all the latin hotties following him, something that wasn't lost on sponsors and advertisers as we saw with all the golf related TV commercials he was in last year.

toneloc24 says on Mar 19, 2008, 16:21:

Sorry BillyB, but that explanation sounds like justification for the Anna Kornikova's of sports. LOL!!!

"Don't tase me, bro!!!!"

MitchAlvarez says on Mar 19, 2008, 16:28:

when he starts playing with a carriel and a ruana ill cheer. while he walks from hole to hole he needs to take out a pilsen or a guarito and then hell gain my respect. lastly.......... in the 18th hole i want some prepagos and some grillas waiting for him.

thats a true paisa golfer.

:)

Tengale miedo a una huelga de mujeres o a una escacez de aguardiente. :)

juicerbud says on Mar 19, 2008, 17:04:

I've been following him for a couple years, including 3 US Opens and I was the only fan that followed him from hole to hole. After Oakmont, the golf media was in love with him. Many golf commentators and writers agree he will have his day. They say he could be the next Tiger Woods, although it is hard to ignore Tiger's winning streak and his ability to keep up his level for years to come.

Camilo has already earned over $200,000 in tourny play this year. That's not Tiger money, but it is good money. Of course, the big money he is making is in endorsements. He is fun to watch and I wish him the best!

billyb says on Mar 19, 2008, 17:10:

He has also already won a tourney tone, so wrong analogy, but keep trying.

durito says on Mar 19, 2008, 17:27:

"Let him get his 1st major win"

How about a first pga win for starters.

"He has also already won a tourney tone, so wrong analogy, but keep trying."

He hasn't won on the pga tour, and most certainly hasn't won a major.


My bets friend plays on the tour and I've meet Camilo, he's a nice guy and great golfer, with a great future in front of him.

billyb says on Mar 19, 2008, 18:27:

So Durito, what precisely is your point?

durito says on Mar 19, 2008, 18:50:

Just pointing out that he has in fact, not yet won a PGA tour event. (nor did he win on the nationwide tour.

What is yours?

toneloc24 says on Mar 19, 2008, 19:00:

Male version of Anna Kornikova, UNTIL he wins on the PGA tour. By the way, has she won any matches yet??? Yet, she sure does have the media still following her around. Not sure that means anything anymore. How about that analogy? Closer?

WHEN Villegas wins once on the PGA tour, then there'll be a conversation. Until then, what are we talking about again??? Man love???

Please let the dude find his way on the tour first, before crowning him the next....whatever.

"Don't tase me, bro!!!!"

beisbollover says on Mar 20, 2008, 05:08:

This is a great thread about Camilo but tonloc said something very true and I just want to put it out there...Tiger Woods is dominating golf at a level greater than any other athlete has ever in any other sport....the only comparisons to Tiger are how long Fidel Castro stayed in power or how long a redwood tree lives.....

billyb says on Mar 20, 2008, 06:13:

Nobody is going to come close to Tiger for a long time, if ever, but that wasn't my point. Camilo just starting his third year is cashing in like Durito's friend wishes he was. And although the tournament in Japan that Camilo won wasn't a PGA event, I don't think he'll giving the $600,000 check back anytime soon. BTW Tone, in answer to your question, Anna never won, nyet. She should have entered some little event that had no other top players enteed just to get that one win and the monkey off her back. Then again, I don't think she is crying over the 12 million a year that she was making at her "height".

durito says on Mar 20, 2008, 07:58:

"Camilo just starting his third year is cashing in like Durito's friend wishes he was"

And you know this, how?

My friend has also been on the tour for 3 full season, and made just a bit less than Camilo. But, he's won on the European Tour and done quite well.

I'm not sure what your problem is.

billyb says on Mar 20, 2008, 08:10:

"How about a first pga win for starters.", "Just pointing out that he has in fact, not yet won a PGA tour event. (nor did he win on the nationwide tour."

I'm not the one with a stick up his ass about Camilo.

durito says on Mar 20, 2008, 08:14:

Excuse me?

I like Camilo, think he's a great player and has a great future and will probably win lots of PGA events.

Please point me to the inaccuracy in my statement.

beisbollover says on Mar 20, 2008, 09:29:

Maybe you two should take this outside and settle it like men.

durito says on Mar 20, 2008, 09:31:

I don't even know what we are fighting over.

MitchAlvarez says on Mar 20, 2008, 10:29:

fighting makes good blogs from time to time. people are just too damn sensitive... as long as people can keep it civil i say go for it.

Tengale miedo a una huelga de mujeres o a una escacez de aguardiente. :)

billyb says on Mar 20, 2008, 17:00:

No fight at all, you were just eager to point out that Camilo hadn't won anything worthwhile and I remarked that he was were your friend wishes he was, no biggie.

kat1 (Moderator) says on Mar 20, 2008, 17:03:

*yawn* opps sorry

billyb says on Mar 20, 2008, 17:06:

jeje, Kat are we boring you, or is the chardonnay taking effect?

kat1 (Moderator) says on Mar 20, 2008, 17:11:

billyb one word... Golf i will never understand how come people like this sport......it's so oooo boring.. i rather watch a championship of Ranitas o tejo at least the bang will wake me up!!!

billyb says on Mar 20, 2008, 17:29:

jajaja, typical woman;)

azunoman says on Mar 21, 2008, 14:07:

well...my post (previous) as usually sounds like flag waving hyperbole....but if youth gold (except for the rich) will continue to be the norm in Colombia...then I hope all Colombian golfers get hit by a fricking ball and/or miss the cut.

Ready, Fire, Aim