b'DENNIS ROSE 1948-2007Waikoloa Golfs Ambassador Of AlohaI n the 20-year span between 1981 and 2000, Dennis RoseJust as Firstman gave Rose a chance at Laguna Seca, Rose served as head professional, director of golf, and vicein turn helped launch the careers of many golf professionals in president of resort operations at Waikoloa Beach Resort. Askthe state during his years at Waikoloa, including Joe Root, now those who knew him and youll get some version of the following:president and CEO of Kohanaiki Golf & Ocean Club in Kona.He was the consummate golf professional. He was a dedicatedDennis gave me the opportunity to get into the golf business and family man. He was one of the nicest guys Ive ever met. also learn a lot of the operations side, Root says. He allowed me the Friends, colleagues, protgsall describe Dennis Rose inautonomy to make my own mistakes, and create my own successes. such glowing terms. Born and raised on the Hawai`i Island, heWhat I learned from Dennis Rose is why I am where I am today.started playing golf at age 8 and caddied at old Hilo CountryRoot, like Rose, believes in passing his knowledge on and Club. He graduated from Kamehameha Schools in 1966, got hisproviding opportunity to the next generation, and in true Big Island undergraduate degree in California at San Fernando Valley Statestyle is mentoring Roses son Steven at Kohanaiki.College (now Cal State Northridge), and landed his first job inKevin Ginoza, director of golf at Waikoloa Golf Club since 2011, golf at Laguna Seca Golf Course in Monterey, under the tutelagealso counts Rose among his examples in the golf business. He had of renowned head professional Harold Firstman.an old-school upbringing, Ginoza says. He always had a smile on He came home to the island where he grew up to help openhis face and a firm handshake. Hed meet and greet everyone, and the Beach Course in 1981. The Royal Waikoloan opened thehe kept in touch with them. Guests would come back to the resort same year and things were starting to really hop at Waikoloa. and come see Dennis like he was an old friendand he was. Dennis was one of the finest gentlemen I have ever met, saysRose passed away at age 59 in 2007, after a two-year battle with Thos Rohr, president and CEO of Waikoloa Land Company fromcancer.1988-2010, who worked closely with Rose for 12 years. He wasHe came into his prime in the 1990s during some boom years gracious to all, hard-working, and had a great sense of humor. Iin the golf and resort industry, Ginoza says. Mr. Rohr had the knew Dennis well before I became involved at Waikoloa. He andmarketing connectionsand Dennis had the aloha.his dad, Whitey, were good friends of mine through golf early on. When we found out we were going to work together, it was magic. As the Waikoloa golf development plan emerged, Dennis embraced it 100 percent and made it happen.I can only say that Dennis was the most complete golf pro-fessional Ive ever met, Rohr says. He knew the business from every blade of grass on the course to the spikes on the shoes. He was a great merchandiser, course manager, tournament organizer, player and teacher.RIGHT: The late Dennis Rose (on left) with PGA Tour professional Peter Jacobsen.7 7'