Juan “Chi Chi” Rodríguez, a Hall of Fame golfer renowned for his charismatic presence on the greens and inspiring life story, passed away on Thursday, August 8 2024 at the age of 88.
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His death was announced by Carmelo Javier Ríos, a senator from Rodríguez’s native Puerto Rico. No cause of death was provided.
Born Juan Antonio Rodríguez in Río Piedras, Puerto Rico, Chi Chi was the second oldest of six children. He grew up in a rural area filled with sugar cane fields, where he helped his father with the harvest as a child
Rodríguez’s journey in golf began with hitting tin cans using a guava tree stick. He later worked as a caddie and quickly developed his skills, claiming to shoot a 67 by age 12.
Over his 21-year career, he won eight PGA Tour events, starting with the Denver Open in 1963 and culminating with the Tallahassee Open in 1979. Rodríguez also secured 22 victories on the Champions Tour from 1985 to 2002, amassing career earnings of over $7.6 million.
His contributions to the sport were recognized with his induction into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1992.
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While his competitive record alone may not have been enough for Hall of Fame status, Rodríguez’s impact on the game extended far beyond his victories.
Rodríguez’s dedication to helping others was equally noteworthy. In the 1970s, he founded the Chi Chi Rodríguez Youth Foundation in Clearwater, Florida, focusing on supporting at-risk children.
Reflecting on his motivation, Rodríguez once said, “Why do I love kids so much? Because I was never a kid myself. I was too poor to really have a childhood.”
Even after suffering a heart attack in 1998, Rodríguez continued his charitable work. Although he phased out his professional career, he remained active in his community, spending much of his later years in Puerto Rico.
He is survived by his daughter, Donnette Markham, his brothers Jesus and Julio, and his sisters Juanita, Carmen, and Maria.
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