The Puerto Rico Open is a fairly new tournament on the PGA Tour. Having been played for the very first time in March of 2008, it was also the first PGA Tour event ever to be held in Puerto Rico, and is dedicated to Juan "Chi Chi" Rodriguez, the country's most notable golfer. The tournament is played at the Trump International Golf Club Puerto Rico; designed by Tom Kite and previously known as the Coco Beach Golf & Country Club.
The Puerto Rico Open is an alternate tournament to the WGC-CA Championship, with all four rounds being broadcast on The Golf Channel, and carrying a total prize fund of $3.5 million – $630,000 of which goes to the winner.
Official sponsors of the Puerto Rico Open, including Banco Popular, are aware of the importance that youth play holds in the future of the island. Therefore, United Way and the Puerto Rico Open have joined efforts and have come up with a grant program in order to make a difference in the life of six students from the Rio Grande municipality, the nearby community of the official PGA.
The Puerto Rico Open youth golf grant program was established so that the chosen students can benefit over a period of four years, and is only one of the three projects to benefit from the financial funding provided by United Way, the official charity of the Puerto Rico Open. The other two community initiatives are Proyecto COMPAZ and a music school program run by Centro Esperanza. Each chosen grant recipient will receive $1,500 which they can renew each year provided they comply with the requirements established by the Selection Committee. Expenses such as text books, tuition fees, and other materials, are to be covered by the funding.
Jerry Kelly and Bo Van Pelt by one shot, while the 2009 even saw Michael Bradley raise his fist in victory, and relief, after sinking a putt which gave him his first PGA Tour win in 11 years.
