Influential Golf Personalities in Colombia

Updated: May 2026 · by Frank Spitzer

Influential Golf Personalities in Colombia

On this page — jump to a section

• Camilo Villegas
• Maria Isabel Baena
• Nicholas Echavarria
• Maria Jose Uribe
• María José Marín
• FAQ
• References
• About the Author

Colombia’s most influential golf personalities span players (Camilo Villegas, Sebastián Muñoz), officials (Federación Colombiana de Golf leadership), and historic figures who shaped the sport. This guide covers them all.

I am Frank Spitzer, founder of Pelecanus Travel (RNT 51402, IAGTO member, Bogotá-based since 2017). We arrange Colombian golf personality-focused tours and exhibition matches. Send me a message to start planning.

Camilo Villegas

Camilo Villegas is a professional golfer from Colombia. He was born on January 7, 1982 in Medellín, Colombia. Villegas is known for his distinctive and athletic swing as well as his playful personality on the golf course.Villegas attended the University of Florida, where he successfully played college golf. He won several collegiate tournaments and received several awards, including the Ben Hogan Award, given to the best collegiate golfer in the United States.After graduating, Villegas became a professional golfer and joined the PGA Tour. He has had multiple victories on the Tour, including the BMW Championship in 2008 and 2010. He is known for his unconventional and athletic style of play that often draws attention. His particular style of play, in which he stoops to study the greens, has earned him the nickname “Spider-Man”.Villegas also attracted international attention as he achieved solid results in the major tournaments and climbed into the top 10 in the world rankings. He also represented Colombia in various international golf tournaments.Throughout his career, Villegas has shown remarkable resilience through personal tragedy and injuries. In 2023, he won the Butterfield Bermuda Championship, his first PGA Tour victory since 2014, making a triumphant return that inspired the golf world. He remains one of the most recognized Colombian athletes in professional golf.

Maria Isabel Baena

Maria Isabel Baena , often called simply “Marisa Baena “, is a former professional golfer from Colombia. She was born on August 21, 1976 in Pereira, Colombia.Baena is one of the most famous and successful Colombian golfers in the history of women’s golf. She began her professional golf career in 1997 and played on the LPGA Tour, the premier league in women’s golf. She was the first Colombian golfer to succeed on the LPGA Tour, representing the country internationally.Baena achieved multiple top finishes and wins on the LPGA Tour. Her greatest achievements were winning the Asahi Ryokuken International Championship in 2004 and winning the HSBC Women’s World Match Play Championship in 2005.Baena has not only been successful as a golfer, but also as a golf ambassador in Colombia and Latin America. She helped increase interest and awareness of golf in the area.Although no longer actively competing, Marisa Baena remains an important figure in Colombian golf and has helped raise the profile of women’s golf both in Colombia and internationally.

Nicholas Echavarria

Nicholas Echavarria is a professional golfer from Colombia. He was born on September 5, 1994 in Medellín, Colombia. Echavarria began his golf career at junior level and then continued his development in collegiate golf in the United States.Echavarria played college golf at the University of Arkansas. During his time there, he was a successful member of the golf team and contributed to the team’s successes in various college tournaments.After graduating from college , Echavarria decided to make the leap to the pros. He has competed in several professional golf tournaments, including the Korn Ferry Tour, one of the most important stages in a golfer’s journey to the PGA Tour. Echavarria earned his PGA Tour card and quickly made an impact. In 2023, he won the Puerto Rico Open during his rookie PGA Tour season, followed by a victory at the Zozo Championship. These wins established him as one of Colombia’s most promising active golfers on the PGA Tour.

Maria Jose Uribe

Maria José Uribe is a professional golfer from Colombia. She was born on March 1, 1990 in Bucaramanga, Colombia. Uribe has made a name for herself in the women’s golf world, having achieved success at both collegiate and professional levels.Maria José Uribe played collegiate golf at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where she was part of the successful golf team. She won several collegiate tournaments and helped lead the team at national championships.A notable moment in her career was her participation in the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Uribe represented Colombia in golf and participated in the women’s golf event.Uribe has also played on various professional golf tours including the LPGA Tour. During her career she achieved multiple top finishes on the LPGA Tour. Notably, at age 17, she won the 2007 U.S. Women’s Amateur championship. Uribe represented Colombia at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro and retired from professional golf following the 2024 season, leaving a lasting legacy as one of Colombia’s most accomplished female golfers.

María José Marín

María José Marín is a Colombian golfer from Cali, born in 2006. At just 19 years old, Marín made history in April 2026 when she won the Augusta National Women’s Amateur, becoming the first Colombian to claim this prestigious title. Prior to her historic Augusta victory, Marín had already demonstrated exceptional talent by winning the 2025 NCAA Individual Championship while competing in collegiate golf in the United States. For more, see our golf in Colombia.

Marín represents a new generation of Colombian golf talent and her achievements at such a young age have positioned her as one of the most promising golfers in Latin America. Her victory at Augusta National, one of golf’s most iconic venues, brought unprecedented international attention to Colombian women’s golf. Also check out our guide to best Colombian golfers.

FAQ

Where is the best golf in Colombia?

Bogotá (8 clubs, highest altitude, La Cima at 3000m), Medellín (7 clubs, mild climate, El Rodeo top-rated), Cartagena (3 premium courses including Karibana Pete Dye), and the Coffee Triangle (Club Campestre Manizales). All accessible to international visitors via Pelecanus.

What is the cost of golf in Colombia?

Green fees: $50-150 USD at top clubs. Including caddie + cart: $80-200/round. Pelecanus packages 4-day golf trips around $1,500-3,000/person all-inclusive depending on club access.

Can I rent golf equipment in Colombia?

Yes — most premium clubs offer rental sets ($30-60/round). Pelecanus arranges premium equipment rental and on-course caddies.

When is the best season for golf?

Year-round, but dry seasons (December-March, June-August) offer the most consistent playing conditions. Avoid October-November (peak rainy season for highland courses).

Do I need to be a member to play?

No — Pelecanus has access to private clubs for guests. We coordinate visitor green fees, caddie booking, and dress code briefings.

How do I plan a Colombia golf trip?

Send a message via /en/about-us-contact/ or WhatsApp Frank at +57 321 214 6210. We design golf-focused private itineraries combining the country’s top courses.

References

• PGA Tour – Player Profiles
• LPGA Tour – Player Statistics and Rankings
• Wikipedia – Colombian Golfers Category

About the Author