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CHI CHI RODRIGUEZ
Chi Chi Rodriguez is one of the great showmen in sports history. In a career which spans four decades, Chi Chi won 8 times on the PGA Tour and now boasts 22 Senior Tour victories. His colorful performances still make him a gallery favorite, while his shotmaking skills have earned the respect of his peers.
Chi Chi Rodriguez grew up in the hot, dusty sugar cane fields of Rio Piedras, where he helped his father tend the fields. Chi Chi's golf expertise began at the age of 12, when he shot a 67. Chi Chi became known for his eye-hand coordination and imagination-skills that for more than 40 years have helped him overcome all types of obstacles. Chi Chi Rodriguez showcases these skills at golf clinics and exhibitions around the country. But Chi Chi's talents extend beyond what be is able to do with the golf ball. From his matador routine to his good-natured impersonations of fellow competitors, Chi Chi Rodriguez is an entertainer at heart.
But what separates Chi Chi Rodriguez from everyone else is that he has coupled his success on the golf course with a strong personal desire to make a positive impact. This has manifested itself in the countless hours he spends at The Chi Chi Rodriguez Youth Foundation.
Chi Chi Rodriguez's foundation, in Clearwater, Florida, is home to troubled and abused youngsters. Chi Chi's philosophy is simple, he wants kids to have a chance. "I figure kids are the future. If l made it, anybody can do it. I think I can be a good role model for them because they can look at me and say, "look, he's a small guy, he was very poor, and he worked hard and he made it. If I can help one kid become successful in life because they want to be the way I was, that's all I ask for."
It is through examples like this that Chi Chi Rodriguez has proven that he is not only a great golf champion, but a champion in life.
SPECIAL ACHEIVEMENTS & AWARDS
* 1973 Member Ryder Cup Team; Represented Puerto Rico on The World Cup Team.
* 1974 Charlie Bartlett Award from Golf Writers Association.
* 1976 Winner--The Pepsi Team Championship with JoAnn Washam.
* 1979 Established The Chi Chi Rodriguez Youth Foundation; Winner- The Panama Open.
* 1981 Richardson Award from Golf Writers Association of America; First Ambassador alt Golf Award World Series of Golf.
* 1992 Received The Father of the Year Award.
* 1986 Card Walker Award for Outstanding Contribution to Jr. GoIf, Salvation Army Gold Crest Award; Member Horatio Algier Association; Received 12th Roberto Clemente Cup; Winner of Byron Nelson Award; Hispanic Achievement Recognition Award.
* 1987 Winner Byron Nelson Award; Chosen as Sr. Player of the Year; Won Sr. Arnold Palmer Award; Golden Tee Award given by Metropolitan Golf Writers Association; Male Contributor to Sports Award; National Puerto Rican Coalition Life Achievement Award.
* 1988 Replica Hispanic Man of the Year Award; Winner Sr. Skins Game; Winner Japan Pro Sr. Championship; Fred Raphael Golf Achievement Award.
* 1989 Recipient Old Tom Morris Award: Winner Bobby Jones Award; Sr. Skins Game Winner; Chosen as Classic Traveler of the Year; Awarded CYO Man of the Year; Roberto Clemente Cup Award.
* 1990 Received the "Caring for Kids" Award.
* 1991 Served on President's Council on Health and Physical Fitness; Inducted into Florida's Sport's Hall of Fame; Winner Pathfinder Award (Indiana Youthlinks); Jackie Robinson Humanitarian Award.
* 1992 Inducted in PGA World Golf Hall of Fame; "Good Sport Awards from Sports Illustrated for Kids: Tampa Bay Walk of Fame Inductee.
* 1993 American Association of SchooL Administrators "American Education Award"; Presented with Civilian Meritorious Service Medal (highest award given by US. Department of Defense); Jimmy Demaret Award given by Liberty Mutual & The Legends of Golf; Herb Graffis Award from National Golf Foundation.
* 1994 Inducted into the World Sports Humanitarian Hall of Fame in Boise, Idaho; received honorary doctor of humane letters degree from Georgetown College in Lexington, Kentucky.
* 1995 Served as Grand Marshal for the 106th Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California.
* 1997 Secretary of State's Hispanic Achievement Award
* 1997 International Network of Golf award (first "Chi Chi Rodriguez Humanitarian Award)
* 1998 Ford Achievement Award
* 2000 Boys and Girls' Club of Florida Humanitarian of the Year Award
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