After quick trip to Colombia, Villegas returns to work
By Helen Ross, PGATOUR.COM Chief of Correspondents
ATLANTA -- The TV cameras were waiting at the arrivals lobby. Reporters with notebooks and tape recorders, too.
Camilo Villegas created quite a stir when he arrived at Jose Maria Cordova International Airport after he won the BMW Championship two weeks ago. Turns out, his first PGA TOUR victory was big news in his hometown of Medellin, Colombia.
"I have no clue how they found out I was traveling that day, but you guys are pretty good at it, I guess," Villegas told reporters Wednesday at East Lake Golf Club where he returns to competition at THE TOUR Championship presented by Coca-Cola.
"It was a good feeling to get my first one in. I've been working hard for it. And then to go back home and spend some time with my family and friends, that's awesome. ... It's good for golf in Colombia, it's good for golf in South America, and that's what it's all about."
The next week was filled with "media, media, media, and a little more media," the 26-year-old said. But there was also some much-coveted time to visit with those who had supported his somewhat unusual athletic ambitions in this soccer-mad country.
"I didn't even take my golf clubs there," Villegas said. "I just had a nice week off and just rode my bicycle, which is my new thing -- I love it."
Villegas called the reception "unbelievable." After he won at Bellerive Country Club in St. Louis, he told reporters that there were only 30 or 40 golf courses in Colombia. He hopes to change that, but it's a slow process.
"They're still learning about the game, and that's obviously one of my goals," Villegas said. "But it's fun to hear guys that have never watched a golf tournament, have never held a golf ball in their hand, to be talking about golf, to be watching a little golf, and to be rooting for, in this case, for me, which is a guy that's out here trying to represent them as good as I can."
Villegas is fiercely proud of his country. He wants people to look past the newspaper reports of drug trafficking and see the beauty he sees in the people and the countryside. One of his endorsements is for Café Colombia and he wears the familiar logo on his chest.
"Colombia has given me so much good stuff that you've got to give back," Villegas said. "We've got several plans, and we've just got to take it one step at a time. It's a process, just like it is when you get on TOUR and start to get better and better and accomplish your goals. I've got some goals in terms of giving back."
Villegas has already become involved with the Fundacion Escuela Circo Momo that offers arts and education to underprivileged youngsters. The foundation targets kids who spend their days on the street juggling or playing musical instruments to earn some extra cash.
"They get a little bit of everything," Villegas said. "We got a place where they get a little affection, they get education, they get food, and then they can also perform. ... That's what they're good at, and why not take them out of the streets, give them a good place to go to and have fun?"
Villegas is getting back to business this week at THE TOUR Championship, which features the top 30 players in the FedExCup standings. He's second right now, and if he holds that position, he'll get to use that business degree from Florida figuring out how to invest the $3 million bonus.
Villegas actually has an outside-outside chance to win the FedExCup. To do so, though, he'd have to win at East Lake and the current No. 1, Vijay Singh, would either have to miss their 2:10 p.m. tee time on Thursday or be disqualified.
"The TOUR Championship is always one of your goals at the beginning of the year," Villegas said. "Being here is special. Having a chance to just put yourself in contention against 30 guys that have had a great year is a lot of fun, so I'm really looking forward in terms of FedExCup.
"I'm glad I'm sitting in that position. I wish I could have had a chance to catch Vijay, but Vijay won the first two, and that's what happens when you have a good year and then you go on and win the first two. Anyway, I just focus on every shot. I'll try to have fun and keep riding the good momentum and the confidence (I have)."
Villegas has five other top-10 finishes and he's earned more than $3.1 million this year, which is nearly double his first two years on TOUR. He's a more confident putter - ala Singh -- and he's seen improvement in all facets of his game.
"I just feel like I've matured a little bit in every area," Villegas said. "Obviously that's one of my goals every year. I was a better player the second year on TOUR than I was the first year, and I believe I'm a better player the third year than last year.
"So hopefully I'm a better player next year than this year. I'm not a big fan of huge changes. I'm a big fan of tiny little changes and improving in tiny steps, and I think that's what I've done. Hopefully I can continue to do that."
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