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