Former Gator golfer Camilo Benedetti looks to complete journey at PGA Tour

Camilo Benedetti has come close to earning his PGA Tour card in each of the past three years. Bogeys in two of his final three holes at Qualifying School in 2010 left him one stroke away from claiming an invitation to the PGA Tour. In 2011, rounds of 73 and 74 over the weekend knocked him out of contention at the Web.com Tour Championship. In 2012, two devastating bogeys down the stretch at the Tour Championship at TPC Craig Ranch in Texas left him one spot and $941 outside “The 25” who get their PGA Tour cards.

“I know my game is ready, that’s basically what I got out of it,” Benedetti said. “It’s just a few things here and there that I have to adjust to get [my game] more consistent.”

A native of Mellin, Columbia, Benedetti decided at the age of 12 that he wanted to make a career out of playing golf. He began to sculpt his game under the tutelage of his father, who was also a golfer. The now 33-year-old developed enough talent to earn looks from multiple Division I schools, a search that brought him to the University of Florida.

“If I wanted play golf professionally, I had to come to the [United] States,” Benedetti said. “Fortunately, I got recruited by Florida. I came to look at it and I loved it, and that’s how I ended up here.”

Benedetti was a three-time All-American during his four years in Gainesville, and he had the unique opportunity to play two years alongside fellow countryman and current PGA Tour player Camilo Villegas. Benedetti was also a key part of the program’s most recent national championship.

“One of the biggest and most fun events that I played in was NCAA’s in 2001,” Benedetti said. “Just being part of the team, what we did and how we won it was priceless.”

However, golf is not always on the mind of Camilo Benedetti. He’s a family man, and he uses any down time he gets to be with his wife and two daughters. They will sometimes travel to tournaments with him as well. He knows that the game won’t always be available to him, and his priorities reflect that.

“Golf is just third [in my life],” Benedetti said. “As long as I can raise my kids, be with my wife and enjoy that family time, that’s what matters.”

Benedetti will look to finally break through to earn his card in 2013 and achieve his ultimate goal of playing on the PGA Tour.