Corridor of Fame golfer Juan “Chi Chi” Rodriguez handed away on Thursday on the age of 88. His loss of life was introduced by Carmelo Javier Ríos, a senator from Rodriguez’s native Puerto Rico, though no reason behind loss of life was offered.The announcement of his loss of life got here from Carmelo Javier Ríos, a senator from Rodriguez’s native Puerto Rico, though the reason for loss of life was not disclosed.
Born Juan Antonio Rodriguez in Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico, was the second oldest amongst six siblings. He grew up in a area as soon as coated in sugar cane fields, helping his father with the harvest. His introduction to golf got here from hitting tin cans with a guava tree stick, and he later discovered employment as a caddie.
Following his service within the US Military from 1955-57, Rodriguez joined the PGA Tour in 1960. All through his 21-year profession, he secured eight victories and took part in a single Ryder Cup crew. His first win was on the 1963 Denver Open, and his remaining triumph got here on the 1979 Tallahassee Open. On the Champions Tour, he amassed 22 victories from 1985-2002, with mixed profession earnings surpassing $7.6 million. In 1992, he was enshrined within the PGA World Golf Corridor of Fame.
Rodriguez was famend for his entertaining antics on the green, reminiscent of twirling his membership like a sword or performing a celebratory dance after making a birdie putt. Regardless of struggling a coronary heart assault in October 1998, he recovered and continued competing for a few years earlier than shifting his focus to neighborhood and charity endeavors, notably the Chi Chi Rodriguez Youth Basis.
In his later years, Rodriguez primarily resided in Puerto Rico, partaking in varied tasks and occasions. He’s survived by his spouse of practically 60 years, Iwalani, and his spouse’s daughter from a earlier marriage, Donnette.
PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan expressed his condolences, saying, “Chi Chi Rodriguez’s ardour for charity and outreach was surpassed solely by his unimaginable expertise with a golf membership in his hand. A vibrant, colourful persona each on and off the golf course, he will likely be missed dearly by the PGA Tour and people whose lives he touched in his mission to provide again. The PGA Tour sends its deepest condolences to your complete Rodriguez household throughout this troublesome time.”
Born Juan Antonio Rodriguez in Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico, was the second oldest amongst six siblings. He grew up in a area as soon as coated in sugar cane fields, helping his father with the harvest. His introduction to golf got here from hitting tin cans with a guava tree stick, and he later discovered employment as a caddie.
Following his service within the US Military from 1955-57, Rodriguez joined the PGA Tour in 1960. All through his 21-year profession, he secured eight victories and took part in a single Ryder Cup crew. His first win was on the 1963 Denver Open, and his remaining triumph got here on the 1979 Tallahassee Open. On the Champions Tour, he amassed 22 victories from 1985-2002, with mixed profession earnings surpassing $7.6 million. In 1992, he was enshrined within the PGA World Golf Corridor of Fame.
Rodriguez was famend for his entertaining antics on the green, reminiscent of twirling his membership like a sword or performing a celebratory dance after making a birdie putt. Regardless of struggling a coronary heart assault in October 1998, he recovered and continued competing for a few years earlier than shifting his focus to neighborhood and charity endeavors, notably the Chi Chi Rodriguez Youth Basis.
In his later years, Rodriguez primarily resided in Puerto Rico, partaking in varied tasks and occasions. He’s survived by his spouse of practically 60 years, Iwalani, and his spouse’s daughter from a earlier marriage, Donnette.
PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan expressed his condolences, saying, “Chi Chi Rodriguez’s ardour for charity and outreach was surpassed solely by his unimaginable expertise with a golf membership in his hand. A vibrant, colourful persona each on and off the golf course, he will likely be missed dearly by the PGA Tour and people whose lives he touched in his mission to provide again. The PGA Tour sends its deepest condolences to your complete Rodriguez household throughout this troublesome time.”
