Juan Antonio “Chi Chi” Rodríguez, born in Barrio San Antón, lived and grew up with his parents and six siblings in “Parcelas Falú” and neighborhood in the town of Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico. At a very young age Chi Chi started working as a forecaddie at the Berwind Country Club in the town of Carolina. Although he worked long hours as a forecaddie, his learning experience took place far from the stately fairways of Berwind. Young Juan made his golf clubs out of guava branches and his golf balls from tin cans-perfectly round with a piece of lead stuck in the center. He was already dreaming of playing in the PGA Tour and being one of the best.

As a child, Chi Chi looked like a toothpick that would snap at the slightest touch. The prospect of him excelling at anything athletic must have seemed nothing more than a dream. But, the more he banged away at those homemade golf balls, the more he developed his tremendous hand/eye coordination, an asset that would make him famous on the Tour later on.

The making of a golden child, or a champion, has never been easy. In Chi Chi’s case it was a miracle of his own creation. That’s how a legacy to his people was born. People would ask how did his small boy, who was born poor, blossom into a world-famous golfer. He was blessed with mentors and benefactors whom appeared at every critical phase in the early years of his life. First, there was Mr.Jim Teal, a man who made the young Rodríguez boy his personal caddie. Then, came Nelson and Laurence Rockefeller, owners of the Dorado Beach Hotel who helped and counseled him. Later were Mr.Ed Dudley and Mr.Pete Cooper who taught him to play championship caliber golf.

There are two things Chi Chi has learned about life; first, that he was given opportunities to succeed. Second, that with hard work and talent you can seize them. This philosophy guides his life today.

Many people know Chi Chi Rodríguez as a golfer, but few people know the person. Since he was a child he showed a great heart, stamina and the courage of a champion. He was known by his desire to succeed and accomplish the dreams that he once envisioned. He is a very caring and sensitive man, who feels people’s pain as part of his own.

His concern for others, charisma, humbleness, loves for children and humanitarian aid are some of the many exceptional qualities that distinguish him. Chi Chi is an extraordinary human being who gives everything he has without expecting anything in return. It is important for him to know that today people have the same opportunities that once were given to him.

Chi Chi is entertainer, motivator, golfer, and a great human being.

The people of Puerto Rico have enjoyed Chi Chi’s efforts and triumphs’becoming one of its most beloved and outstanding sons. Wherever he goes he proudly says. “I feel proud to be Puerto Rican”. Throughout his life Chi Chi has demonstrated that he is not only the champion in the golf course, but also a champion in peoples hearts.

Thanks to him, Puerto Rican golf players are respected and recognized wherever they go; he opened doors and brought many opportunities for us. Chi Chi has made Puerto Rico famous in the golf’s community. But still, for Chi Chi, there was a dream to fulfill. That dream is El Legado.

Chi Chi, is the winner of 8 PGA tournaments and 22 Senior Tour victories. He was a member of a Ryder Cup and 12 World Cup teams, recipient of numerous honors, including two of golf’s most prestigious, the Herb Graffis and the Bob Jones Award. Chi Chi was an inaugural inductee into the World Sports Humanitarian Hall Of Fame, as well as the golf Hall of Fame in Puerto Rico and the United States.

Today, his dream has come true.