Hawaii Hall of Fame to induct the late Rose
Advertiser Staff
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Hawai'i golf will celebrate one of its most devoted backers — and many, many others — at its second annual Hawai'i Golf Ho'olaule'a Awards Jan. 15 at the Hawai'i Convention Center.
The night honors the state's finest golfers and industry leaders. This year it also includes the Hawai'i Golf Hall of Fame induction. The late Dennis Rose is the lone inductee. Rose, born and raised in Hilo and a 1966 Kamehameha graduate, died of cancer in 2007 at age 59.
He started in the game at age 8, playing and caddying at Hilo Country Club. He turned pro in 1975 when he took a position as teaching pro at Mauna Kea. Six years later, Rose would become director of golf and vice president of resort operations for Waikoloa. In the next 20 years he was instrumental in creating and operating its Beach and Kings' courses.
After a short stint at Turtle Bay, Rose returned to the Big Island in 2002 to become Mauna Lani's director of golf and general manager. He was a member of the Aloha Section PGA board of directors for more than 20 years, serving in nearly every capacity including four years as president. Rose was also elected to the PGA of America's board of directors, representing Hawai'i and Northern and Southern California.
His dedication to the game also came out on the course. He won the section's match play championship in 1983 and '85 and captured the Hall of Fame Senior Championship in 2000. He was Aloha Section Professional of the Year in 1985 and '93 and a two-time winner of the section's Bill Strausbaugh Award, which recognizes a PGA professional who mentors his colleagues and has a significant impact on their careers.
Rose, whose humor had an impact on people in and out of the game, helped Division-II University of Hawai'i-Hilo bring in one of golf's best collegiate tournaments — Division I, II or III — in 1990. Future stars like Tiger Woods, Matt Kuchar and Notah Begay came to the Big Island for the Taylor Made Intercollegiate.
Rose also resurrected the Big Island Amateur, served as president of the Hawai'i State Junior Golf Association in 1998 and was involved with the Hawai'i and Big Island visitor bureaus.
On the same night, Hawai'i will honor another man who has devoted much of his life to golf when Hal Okita will be given the Distinguished Service Award.
The Ho'olaule'a Awards start at 6 p.m., with dinner and awards at 7 p.m. PGA Tour pro Dean Wilson, a Castle graduate, will present the junior awards. The featured speaker will be Maj. Dan Rooney, founder of the Folds of Honor Foundation and Patriot Golf Day. The Golf Channel's Steve Sands will also speak.
Adult admission is $65 and children (12-under) $50. Registration deadline is Wednesday. To register online go to http://aloha.pga.com or call 593-2230 on O'ahu or 877-PGA-OAHU toll-free. Proceeds benefit the Aloha Section PGA Foundation.
2010 HAWAI'I GOLF HO'OLAULE'A AWARDS
Hawai'i Golf Course Superintendent Association
Superintendent of the Year: B. Russell Dooge, King Kamehameha GC
Hawai'i Golf Representatives Association
Sales Representative of the Year: Chris Wright, Cooke Island Distributors
Hawai'i High School Athletic Association
Outstanding Boys Golfer of the Year: Lorens Chan
Outstanding Girls Golfer of the Year: Kristina Merkle
Hawai'i State Golf Association
Amateur Golfer of the Year: Ryan Perez
Senior Amateur Golfer of the Year: Phil Anamizu
Volunteers of the Year: Norman and Sue Asao
Distinguished Service Award: Hal Okita
Hawai'i State Junior Golf Association
Player of the Year 7-8 Girls: Milburn Ho
Player of the Year 7-8 Boys: Christian "Pono" Yanagi
Player of the Year 9-10 Girls: Kristeena Locke
Player of the Year 9-10 Boys: Kyosuke Hara
Player of the Year 11-12 Girls: Rose Huang
Player of the Year 11-12 Boys: Jino Sohn
Player of the Year 13-14 Girls: Allisen Corpuz
Player of the Year 13-14 Boys: Kalena Preus
Player of the Year 15-18 Girls: Cassy Isagawa
Player of the Year 15-18 Boys: Justin Keiley
Hawai'i State Women's Golf Association
Outstanding Woman Golfer: Erin Matsuoka
Outstanding Senior Woman: Golfer Diane Plotts
Outstanding Volunteer: Helen Higa
The First Tee of Hawai'i
Coach of the Year: David Hardison, PGA
Aloha Section PGA
Golf Professional of the Year: Matthew K. Hall, Turtle Bay Golf
Teacher of the Year: Ron Castillo Jr., Puakea Golf Course
Bill Strausbaugh Award: Scott R. Ashworth, Kaua'i Lagoons Golf Club
Horton Smith Award: Steven P. Murphy, Princeville GC-Prince Course
Junior Golf Leader: Kevin D. Carll, Turtle Bay Golf
President's Plaque: Gregory A. Nichols, Ko Olina Golf Club
Merchandiser of the Year: Resort, Rusty Hathaway, Wailea Golf Club
Merchandiser of the Year: Private, Mark Sursely, Kuki'o Golf & Beach Club
Merchandiser of the Year: Public, Clifton T. Council, Maui Golf Shop
Assistant Professional of the Year: Simon U. Carpio, Navy-Marine Golf Course
Player of the Year: Kevin K. Hayashi
Senior Player of the Year: Lance S. Taketa
Distinguished Service Award: Mary Bea Porter-King
President's Award: John Monahan
Hawai'i Golf Hall of Fame: Dennis Rose