Juan Antonio “Chi-Chi” Rodgriguez made many distinct marks on professional golf, one of which was being the most successful golfer from Puerto Rico and the second was his humor. He was a showman through and through with his “sword dance” after he would hammer a golf ball down the fairway or sink a key putt. He made time for the younger generation with the Youth Foundation, which works with 600 kids from low-income and/or broken homes to local courses so they can play and develop as golfers. An interesting point of his success and work ethic is that he played a wealthy man’s game having grown up poor in Puerto Rico. In his youth, he started as a caddie at a golf course and would play golf with a guava tree branch and a metal can which he designated as a “golf ball.” Rodriguez utilized the key visualization aspect of many successful athletes by practicing what he had seen pro golfers do on the course. He became proficient in golf before the age of 10 and scored a super-low score of 67 at the age of 12. His passion and work ethic destined him for greatness.
He joined the U.S. Army during the Korean War when he was only 19 years old. He served two years and while in the service he made a point to visit golf courses close by so he could practice and perfect his golf talents. After leaving the service Rodriguez turned pro in 1960 and just three years later won the Denver Open. It was his first win toward another seven from 1963 to 1979. In the mid-1980s, Rodriguez joined the Senior PGA Tour and earned further success with 22 tournament victories from 1986 to 1993. Jack Nicklaus, The Golden Bear of golf, went head-to-head with Rodriguez in the US Senior Open in 1991. Rodriguez did his best but was unfortunately beaten by The Golden Bear. His humor led the way with such quotes as, “How long does John Daly drive a golf ball? When I was a kid, I didn’t go that far on vacation.” He even said, “Playing golf is not hot work. Cutting sugar cane for a dollar a day – that’s hot work. Hotter than my first wristwatch.” Rodriguez finished his golf career with style and class. He even let Sega and Virgin Games use his name for the Chi Chi’s Pro Challenge Golf which was on the Genesis console in 1993.
Rodriguez received many awards throughout his lifetime such as the Hispanic Recognition Award, Replica’s Hispanic Man of the Year, the Bob Jones Award, the Old Tom Morris Awar, the World Humanitarian Sports Hall of Fame and was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1992 as the first Puerto Rican bestowed with the honor. His personality and style led him to make a cameo appearance as himself in Welcome to Mooseport alongside fellow veteran Gene Hackman (Marine) in his final film role which he played the President of the United States in the film. After having a brief, yet powerful encounter with Mother Teresa, Rodriguez founded the Chi-Chi Rodriguez Youth Foundation with golfer Bill Hayes and Bob James.
Rodriguez left this world on August 8, 2024 and left behind a life of excellence, service and mentoring others less fortunate. He will be missed, not only for his quips but his trademark sword dance.