At first glance, Honda Classic winner Camilo Villegas is as far from vanilla as it gets. Exotic, unique and anything-but-bland Is how most would describe him. His lean, stylish, close-to-the-body fashion statements combined with a powerful physical game draw immediate attention... then of course there's the idiosyncratic, hyper-extended putting posture that's earned him his "Hombre Araña" nickname. And after a less than stellar 2009 Spidey is off to a sizzling 2010 start.
It all comes together to make Camilo Villegas the perfect poster boy for the group collectively known as the "The Hot New Young Guns of Golf". You know, the up-and-coming-under-30s we're counting on to save the game with their astounding skills and pronounced personalities. It's that last part... the personality part... that Jason Sobel mused about yesterday in his Weekly 18.
"Let's spice it up, Camilo." ~That's what Mr. Sobel suggests, pointing out that the ostensibly flamboyant Latino appears to have a personality that's downright... dull.
I'd noticed the same thing many times over the years and always attributed it to shyness, but in retrospect... after reading the Sobel piece... I realize it may go beyond that. It may be that despite an outward appearance that would suggest a penchant for la vida loca, this young Latino is singularly focused on the game. And that's perfectly OK.
When you're Camilo Villegas you can probably get away with that.
Top Photo:Sam Greenwood/Getty Images
OK then... Vanilla is my new favorite flavor! ;)
ReplyDeleteGreat Post Patricia. I followed Camilo yesterday and his demeanor is totally different from the past couple seasons. I read somewhere that he has been talking to a therapist about many different mental aspects of golf. He has developed a mentality of "it is what it is". Which I think is key to succeeding in golf. He's learned that you can't beat yourself up over a bad shot, and he's more focused on the game now, rather than his appearance. He equips all the tools to win and I think we will see him win a lot more. He's fun to watch.
ReplyDeleteIn all fairness, we were led to believe that Mr. Woods was a rather bland individual devoted to his family and golf game. Not saying that Camilo is behaving in a similar fashion off the course, but I don't think we can interpret post-round comments made to Jimmy Roberts, or any media type for that matter, as being indicative of one's true personality.
ReplyDeleteTo finish Sobel's backhanded compliment, "come on Camillo - do MORE of our work for us." His article is pretty standard - cheap shot material..."let's find a way to put a negative light on a rising star."
ReplyDeleteSenor Villegas has never showed much emotion and he's definitely not a complainer like Sergio is. I do remember there was an incident last year when he was criticized for suggesting that PGA Tour players didn't get enough time off. That said, he definitely had longer to travel than other players when he wants to get home.
ReplyDeleteI liked him better with long hair. :(
ReplyDeleteRising stars are shiniest when they are winning.
ReplyDeleteForgot about that "time off" tempest. Willing to forget. Kind of like the short hair and quiet attitude. My feeble attempt at a fashion comment: I liked his sweater yesterday! The lad has forearms like Arnie did. Hmmm. Seem to be in touch with my feminine side today.
ReplyDeleteLMAO, Tara !! I'm sure you were watching on Sunday - did you pick up that it only took NBC 70 holes to notice that his hair was shorter...when he had it cut at the Match Play ? (lol)
ReplyDeleteBy the way, this is Camilo we're talking about. Even vanilla is flamboyant with him. You make sure you pronounce that "vuh-NEE-yah," ok?
ReplyDeleteGuess I need to watch my typing...
ReplyDeleteIt's not "vuh-NEE-yah," but "vuh-NEE-jah." He's Colombian, after all. ;-)
Great post Patricia. All I can say is that when I watch Camilo play, I say, "Tiger who?"
ReplyDeleteThanks for posting. In all fairness, we were led to believe that Mr. Woods was a rather bland individual devoted to his family and golf game.
ReplyDelete