Every iconic golfer has a remarkable coach, a figure behind the scenes who can spot the minute imperfections in a swing, make minor tweaks that elevate good shots to spectacular ones, and provide an essential confidence boost at just the right time. These unsung heroes can be the difference between falling short and claiming a triumphant victory. One such transformative coaching relationship is demonstrated in the partnership between Jose Campra and Camilo Villegas.
This was demonstrated at THE PLAYERS Championship where Villegas was unexpectedly sharing the lead. The catalyst for this astonishing comeback was a lengthy phone consultation with his coach, Jose Campra, who was relaxing in Singapore, thousands of miles away.
Jose Campra, an Argentine native, is far from your conventional golf sage. Growing up playing golf on the same Cordoba course that generated the likes of Angel Cabrera and Eduardo Romero, Campra spent five years attempting a professional career on the Challenge Tour and PGA Tour Latin America, following the completion of his finance degree from Jacksonville State. It was then that he recognized his true knack for enabling others to reach their potential.
Over the last decade and a half, Campra has constructed an exceptional coaching philosophy rooted in biomechanics and the principle that it’s the body that swings the club. Don’t expect him to offer quick fixes or surface-level solutions. When Villegas approached him in January 2023 after being eliminated from the cut at Torrey Pines, Campra promptly noticed that Villegas’ ball striking had considerably declined despite him still being a talented player.
Campra’s “CampraGolf Academy” online platform embodies his holistic approach to coaching. It consists of 15 comprehensive modules that cover everything from the basics of anatomy to specific swing mechanics, principles of alignment, grip fundamentals, and typical swing errors with corresponding corrections. He essentially shares his golfing knowledge with anyone eager to learn.
Campra’s roster of students reads like a who’s who in the world of golf. Apart from Villegas, he has also coached U.S. Open champion Angel Cabrera, PGA Tour winners Emiliano Grillo and Scott Piercy, as well as emerging talents from Latin America. His proficiency in both English and Spanish is an added advantage, particularly when aiding Latin American players in navigating the global scene.
What truly distinguishes Campra is his ability to function effectively amidst the increasingly fragmented landscape of golf. While he coaches PGA Tour golfers like Villegas, he also serves as the caddie for Sebastian Munoz on the LIV Golf circuit. This dual role allows Campra to maintain a presence in both arenas.
Campra accompanied Munoz when he switched to LIV in February 2023, having already built a strong rapport with him on the PGA Tour. When asked about his experience after the inaugural LIV Golf event in Mayakoba, Campra remarked that it was “a different experience, neither better nor worse, but definitely different.” He highlighted the shotgun start format as a potential equalizer, as it exposes all competitors to the same weather conditions, unlike traditional tournaments.
While the golfing world is embroiled in a debate over PGA Tour versus LIV Golf, Campra is simply focused on helping players enhance their skills, irrespective of the tour they participate in. His coaching involvement across both tours demonstrates how individual coaches can rise above the organizational divides that have increasingly fragmented professional golf since the advent of LIV Golf.
So, what’s your opinion on coaches working across different tours? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below.
