Dennis Rose, the Big Island boy with the quick grin and deep love of golf, died Friday night after a two-year battle with cancer. He was 59.

Rose started golf at age 8. He played and caddied at old Hilo Country Club with Champions Tour player Steve Veriato.

Rose graduated from Kamehameha in 1966 and got his degree at San Fernando Valley State (now Cal State Northridge) in 1971 before taking a position at Laguna Seca Golf Course in Monterey, Calif., where he met wife, Laura. He came home in 1975 to take a teaching pro position at Mauna Kea.

In 1981, Rose became head pro, Director of Golf and vice president of resort operations for Waikoloa Development Company. Over a 20-year career he was instrumental in creating and operating its Beach and Kings' courses.

After two years as Turtle Bay's Director of Golf, Rose again returned to the Big Island at the end of 2002 to become Mauna Lani's Director of Golf and general manager. He held that position when appointed to the PGA of America's Board of Directors last December.

"He fought like hell when he found out he had cancer a couple years ago," said his father, Whitey. "He had been looking forward to serving his position with the PGA of America."

Rose had been a member of the Aloha Section PGA's Board of Directors since 1984, serving as president twice.

Rose was also Aloha Section Professional of the Year in 1993, won the section's match play championship in 1983 and '85 and captured the Hall of Fame Senior Championship in 2000.

Rose is survived by wife Laura, sons David and Stephen, parents D.W. "Whitey" and Rita Rose, and sister Patricia Jamesson. Services will be Saturday at 2 p.m. at St. James Episcopal Church in Waimea.

Donations can be made in his memory to North West Hawai'i Hospice Inc. (PO Box 1236, Kamuela, HI, 96743), American Cancer Society West Hawai'i (75-5995 Kuakini Hwy., Kailua, Kona, HI, 96740) and Aloha Section Foundation Scholarship Fund (770 Kapiolani Blvd., Room 706, Honolulu, HI, 96813).