Chi Chi Rodriguez Golf Club

Chi Chi Rodriguez Golf Club is a public facility in Clearwater, Florida, designed by Denis Griffiths and named in honor of the Puerto Rican professional golfer Juan "Chi Chi" Rodriguez, one of the sport's most charismatic figures and a longtime Florida resident. The course reflects the accessible, player-friendly design philosophy common to many Florida daily-fee layouts from its era, with an emphasis on accommodating a wide range of skill levels while maintaining strategic interest. The routing takes advantage of the relatively flat terrain typical of the Tampa Bay area's Gulf Coast, incorporating water hazards and native vegetation to define playing corridors and create visual interest in the absence of significant elevation change. Griffiths, who designed numerous courses throughout Florida during the latter decades of the twentieth century, employed generous fairway widths balanced by strategically placed bunkers and water features that come into play primarily for errant shots. The greens tend toward moderate size with subtle contours, rewarding accurate approach play without imposing severe penalties. The course serves both local residents and visitors to the Clearwater area, functioning as a straightforward test of golf in a region known for its concentration of public and resort courses. Its association with Chi Chi Rodriguez connects it to a player celebrated not only for his competitive success on the PGA and Senior PGA Tours but also for his contributions to junior golf and charitable work throughout Florida and beyond.