A somber shadow falls over the golf world yet again. Pro golfer Juan “Chi Chi” Rodriguez, the showman, passed away on Thursday, August 8, at the age of 88. The World Golf Hall of Fame member has left his fans to marvel not just over his drives and swings on the course but has also given them a gala time with his signature sword dance. The legendary golfer was also known for his relentless philanthropy and had managed to earn thirty career victories on the PGA Tour and PGA Tour Champions.

“A man never stands taller than when he stoops to help a child,” he said in his World Golf Hall of Fame biography when he was enshrined in 1992. He was the proud owner of the Chi Chi Rodriguez Youth Foundation in Clearwater, Florida. NUCLR Golf recently took to their official X account, shared a video of Rodriguez enjoying his time on the course, and wrote a post in his tribute.

Before getting into golf, Rodriguez was a part of the US Army for two years (1955–57). He joined the PGA Tour in 1960 and won eight times in 21 years, playing in the Ryder Cup once. His first-ever win was the Denver Open and he also had twenty-two victories on the Champions Tour between 1985-2002. The Hall of Famer earned close to a whopping $7.6 million.

As the 88-year-old left for his heavenly abode a few hours ago, he has left a void among the golf community that can never be replaced. All his fans and followers came together to pay their respects.

The Golf Community dubs Chi Chi Rodriguez as a ‘true legend’

Chi Chi Rodriguez was not just an exceptional golfer, but he also made sure that he kept all the spectators entertained while he played. The trick behind it? Every time he would card a birdie, Rodriguez would perform a dance that became his signature move, known as the sword dance. Each time, Chi Chi transformed into a skillful swordsman and pretended his club to be his sword and dance with it. After finishing the joyful routine, he would humorously pretend to sheath his imaginary sword into a scabbard at his belt.

Watching Chi Chi Rodriguez on the course was true entertainment indeed. Taking to this, people left comments like, “What a legend. A true man of the people and entertainer,” and “He was a great golfer and a great showman”.

Chi Chi Rodrigues was not only a golfer but a genuine lover of the sport. He never missed an opportunity to showcase his love for the same. “Golf is the most fun you can have without taking your clothes off,” he would say.

Back in his prime, his hook steps on the course, and the fun time served as an impression to many kids. He was the ‘cool golfer. Taking to this, one of them even commented, “Back in the day when I was a high school golfer we loved to copy Chi Chi’s sword moves.” While another wrote, “Lo siento, el matador! Chi Chi and Lee Trevino were my first favorites as a kid. I stood in front of my TV with a putter mimicking his routine with when he holed a putt. For a while, I sheathed my putter myself as an homage to a hero. Sad day for golf.”

Chi Chi Rodriguez was also completely dedicated to ensuring that the children always got what they aimed for. He was indeed a people person. The organization that he owned was also known for helping the youth who were at risk achieve academic, social, and economic success. Taking to this, one of them even complimented him and wrote, “I used to play his course in Dunedin that he made sure kids play free. What a guy !!!”

While another, simply calling him God’s child, deduced the date of his death and the age to the number of the angel and wrote, “Magical CHI CHI – passed away at 88 on 8/8”.

The greens will no longer be the same without golf’s showman, and there is no doubt that millions of people will be mourning over the loss of a legend! “May his soul rest in peace” is what will be in everyone’s prayers today.