Chi Chi Rodríguez
Name:
Juan Antonio "Chi Chi" RodríguezCountry:
Puerto RicoBorn:
Oct 23, 1935 in Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico.Original/Home Club:
Occupation:
Professional golfer; founder of Chi-Chi Rodríguez Youth Foundation; golf course designer.Turned Pro:
1960Senior MAJORS (2). Ryder Cup player (1973). Total professional wins (38), including PGA Tour (8) and Champions Tour (22). Senior PGA Tour leading money winner (1987). Bob Jones Award (1989). Old Tom Morris Award (1989, GCSAA). World Golf Hall of Fame (inducted in 1992).
One of the most popular and colourful golfers of the 1960s and '70s, Rodríguez became the first Puerto Rican to be inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame.
America
Burnet
Played as the Burnet Senior Classic (June 19-20). Second-placed Jim Colbert (USA) and Bob Murphy (USA) finished 2 shots behind Rodríguez (PR/USA), who recorded the last of his 22 Snr PGA Tour victories. [Bunker Hills GC, Coon Rapids, nr Minneapolis, Minn.].
America
x
Played as the inaugural (and only) Ko Olina Senior Invitational (Nov 6-8). Second-placed Charles Coody (USA) finished 6 shots behind Rodríguez (PR/USA). [Ko Olina GC, Kapolei, Oahu, Hawaii].
America
Murata
Played as the Murata Reunion Pro-Am. Rodríguez (PR/USA) beat Jim Colbert (USA) with a par at the fourth playoff hole. [Stonebriar CC, Frisco, nr Dallas, Texas].
America
x
Played as the Las Vegas Senior Classic. Second-placed Walt Zembriski (USA) finished 3 shots behind Rodríguez (PR/USA). [Wynn Las Vegas, Nevada; at the time known as Desert Inn CC].
America
GTE
Played as the GTE West Classic (not played in 1990). Second-placed Gary Player (RSA) and Bruce Crampton (Aus) finished 1 shot behind Rodríguez (PR/USA). [Ojai Valley Inn & CC, Ojai, nr Ventura, California].
America
ARCO
Played as the Vintage ARCO Invitational. Second-placed Mike Hill (USA) and Don January (USA) finished 1 shot behind Rodríguez (PR/USA). [Vintage Club, Palm Desert, California].
America
Sunwest Bank
Played as the Sunwest Bank Charley Pride Senior Classic (Aug 10-12). Second-placed Charles Coody (USA), Jim Dent (USA) and Jim Ferree (USA) finished 2 shots behind Rodríguez (PR/USA). [Canyon Club, Albuquerque, New Mexico; at the time known as Four Hills CC].
America
Ameritech
Played as the Ameritech Senior Open (July 18-20). Second-placed George Archer (USA) and Al Kelley (USA) finished 7 shots behind Rodríguez (PR/USA). [Bear course, Grand Traverse Resort, Acme, nr Traverse City, Michigan].
America
x
Played as the Las Vegas Senior Classic. Second-placed George Archer (USA) and Charles Coody (USA) finished 1 shot behind Rodríguez (PR/USA). [Wynn Las Vegas, Nevada; at the time known as Desert Inn CC].
America
x
Played as the Senior Skins Game (Jan 21/22; four-man Snr PGA Tr unofficial money event). Defending champion Rodriguez (PR/USA) won with a total of 4 skins worth $120,000. Second was Gary Player (RSA) 7 skins worth $120,000. Third was Billy Casper (USA) 3 skins worth $80,000. Fourth was Arnold Palmer (USA) 4 skins worth $70,000. [Mountain course, La Quinta Resort, La Quinta, Calif.].
America
Crestar
Played as the Crestar Classic. Second-placed Jim Dent (USA) and Dick Rhyan (USA) finished 1 shot behind Rodríguez (PR/USA). [Hermitage CC, Manikin-Sabot, Virginia].
America
Digital
Played as the Digital Seniors Classic. Second-placed Bob Charles (NZ) finished 1 shot behind Rodríguez (PR/USA), who won this event for the third straight year. [Nashawtuc CC, Concord, Massachusetts].
America
x
Played as the inaugural Senior Skins Game (Jan 30/31; four-man Snr PGA Tr unofficial money event). Rodriguez (PR/USA) won with a total of 5 skins worth $300,000. Second was Gary Player (RSA) 2 skins worth $40,000. Third was Arnold Palmer (USA) 1 skin worth $20,000. Sam Snead (USA) was shutout with no skins. [Fazio course, Turtle Bay Resort, Kahuku, Oahu, Hawaii].
America
Doug Sanders
Played as the Doug Sanders Kingwood Celebrity Classic. Second-placed Miller Barber (USA) and John Brodie (USA) finished 2 shots behind Rodríguez (PR/USA). [Deerwood Course, Clubs of Kingswood, Houston, Texas].
America
Vantage
Played as the Vantage at the Dominion. Second-placed Butch Baird (USA) finished 3 shots behind Rodríguez (PR/USA). [Dominion CC, San Antonio, Texas].
Awards
Snr PGA Tr
Rodriguez (Puerto Rico) won his second straight Byron Nelson Award, recording the season's lowest scoring average on the Senior PGA Tour. Bob Charles (NZ) was second with 70.18; Bruce Crampton (Aus) was third with 70.39.
America
Utd Hospitals
Played as the United Hospitals Senior Championship. Second-placed Lee Elder (USA) finished 1 shot behind Rodríguez (PR/USA). [Chester Valley GC, Malvern, nr Philadelphia, PA].
Awards
Snr PGA Tr
Rodriguez (Puerto Rico) won the Arnold Palmer Award as the Senior PGA Tour 1987 leading money winner, with earnings of $509,145 on the Tour. Bruce Crampton (Aus) was second with $437,904; Bob Charles (NZ) was third with $389,437.
Majors
General Foods
Played as the General Foods PGA Seniors' Championship (Feb 12-15). Second-placed Dale Douglass (USA) finished 1 shot behind Chi Chi Rodriguez (PR/USA). [Champion course, PGA National Resort, Palm Beach Gdns, FL].
America
x
Played as the Senior Players Reunion Pro-Am. Second-placed Bruce Crampton (Aus) finished 1 shot behind Rodríguez (PR/USA). [Bent Tree CC, Dallas, Texas].
America
Digital
Played as the Digital Seniors Classic. Second-placed Orville Moody (USA) finished 8 shots behind defending champion Rodríguez (PR/USA). [Nashawtuc CC, Concord, Massachusetts].
America
GTE
Played as the GTE Northwest Classic. Second-placed Butch Baird (USA) finished 1 shot behind Rodríguez (PR/USA). [Inglewood GC, Kenmore, nr Seattle, Washington].
America
Silver Pages
Played as the inaugural Silver Pages Classic. Second-placed Bruce Crampton (Aus) finished 3 shots behind Rodríguez (PR/USA). [Quail Creek G&CC, Oklahoma City, OK].
America
Digital
Played as the Digital Seniors Classic. Second-placed Gary Player (RSA) finished 1 shot behind Rodríguez (PR/USA). [Nashawtuc CC, Concord, Massachusetts].
America
Utd Virginia Bnk
Played as the United Virginia Bank Seniors Classic. Second-placed Don January (USA) finished 3 shots behind Rodríguez (PR/USA). [Hermitage CC, Manikin-Sabot, Virginia].
Majors
x
Played as the Senior Tournament Players Championship (June 19-22). Second-placed Bruce Crampton (Aus) finished 2 shots behind first-time Snr PGA Tour winner Rodriguez (PR/USA), who recorded his first career win in a major championship. Reduced to 54 holes due to bad weather. [Canterbury GC, Beachwood, Ohio].
Awards
Snr PGA Tr
Rodriguez (Puerto Rico) won the Byron Nelson Award, recording the season's lowest scoring average on the Senior PGA Tour. Bruce Crampton (Aus) was second with 69.89; Gary Player (RSA) was third with 69.94.
Played as the Panama Open. Butch Baird (USA) and Chi-Chi Rodriguez (PR/USA) tied for first place after they both parred the first two sudden-death playoff holes. Nightfall prevented any further play.
America
x
Played as the Tallahassee Open (April 19-22). Second-placed Lindy Miller (USA) finished 3 shots behind Rodríguez (PR/USA), who recorded the last of his eight PGA Tour wins. [Killearn CC, Tallahassee, FL].
America
Pepsi-Cola
Played as the Pepsi-Cola Mixed Team Ch'ship (two-person team event; one PGA Tr, one LPGA Tr). Winning team: Chi Chi Rodriguez (Puerto Rico/USA) & Jo Ann Washam (USA). Second-place: Jim Colbert (USA) & Silvia Bertolaccini (Arg) and David Graham (Aus) & Penny Pulz (Aus). [Doral Golf Resort, Miami, FL].
America
x
Played as the Greater Greensboro Open (Mar 30-Apr 2). Second-placed Lou Graham (USA) and Ken Still (USA) finished 1 shot behind Rodriguez (Puerto Rico/USA). Monday finish required after earlier rain interruptions during the event. [Sedgefield CC, Greensboro, NC].
America
x
Played as the Byron Nelson Golf Classic (April 28-May 1). Rodriguez (Puerto Rico/USA) beat Billy Casper (USA) with a birdie at the first playoff hole. [Preston Trail GC, Dallas, TX].
America
Sahara Hotel
Played as the Sahara Invitational (Oct 17-20). Chi Chi Rodríguez (PR/USA) beat Dale Douglass (USA) with a birdie at the first playoff hole, to record his fifth PGA Tour win. [Paradise Valley CC, Henderson, NV; now called Wildhorse GC].
America
x
Played as the Texas Open Invitational (April 27-30). Second-placed Bob Charles (NZ) and Bob Goalby (USA) finished 1 shot behind Chi Chi Rodríguez (Puerto Rico). [Pecan Valley GC, San Antonio, Texas. This course is now closed].
America
WGA
Played as the Western Open (Aug 6-9). Second-placed Arnold Palmer (USA) finished 1 shot behind Chi Chi Rodríguez (Puerto Rico/USA). [Tam O'Shanter CC, Niles, nr Chicago, IL; now the municipal Tam O'Shanter Golf Course].
America
Lucky Lager
Played as the Lucky International Open (Jan 23-27). Chi Chi Rodriguez (PR/USA) beat Don January (USA) in a playoff, to record his second PGA Tour win. Monday 18-hole playoff scores: Rodriguez 70, January 71. [Harding Park GC, San Francisco, Calif. Now known as TPC Harding Park].
Played as the Denver Open Invitational.
America
x
Played as the Colombian Open (Abierto de Colombia). Won by Chi-Chi Rodriguez (Puerto Rico/USA). [CC of Barranquilla, Barranquilla, Colombia].
Tournaments:
2021 Opens: whether by accident or design, four of the top five mens’ Open Championships played in the British Isles occupy consecutive weeks in July: the Irish Open (1-4), Scottish Open (8-11), The Open (15-18) and Wales Open (22-25). The recently relaunched English Open is scheduled for early-August.
Hoag Classic: Ernie Els defends his title in this prestigious PGA Tour Champions event, played since 1991 at the Newport Beach Country Club, CA (Mar 5-7).
Who's Who:
Brooks Koepka: won his second Phoenix Open title, with a chip-in eagle at TPC Scottsdale’s short par-4 17th included in his final round.
Annika Sörenstam: the legendary Swede makes a return to the LPGA Tour in the Gainbridge LPGA, to be played at Lake Nona, her home club (Feb 25-28).
Traigh Golf Course (pronounced "try", and meaning "beach" in Gaelic): You'll find this nine-hole seaside gem on the scenic coast road (as opposed to the more inland and quicker A830) between Arisaig and Morar. Although not on the well-beaten path of Scotland's "trophy" courses, if you are passing through this area, it's a must play.
Read More...
Cullen Links Golf Club: "immensely scenic", "quirky as golf can get", "short!", "hugely enjoyable" ... Cullen Links attracts as wide a variety of comments as it lays down golfing challenges. Shoehorned into this 4,600 yard treasure trove are ten par-3s, seven par-4s and a good-length par-5. Here you'll find all the seaside scenery a golfer could ask for, and a lot more besides. Read More...
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