Owner of Carl’s Golfland Dies at Age 65

Carl E. Rose died of cancer on Jan. 11, 2024.
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Carl E. Rose, owner of Carl’s Golfland and son of the brand’s late founder, Carl F. Rose, died of cancer on Jan. 11, 2024, at the age of 65.

In a statement posted to the Carl’s Golfland Instagram, the Bloomfield Hills-based company announced the news and remembered the legacy Rose left behind, saying “Carl was a pioneer of industry. A trendsetter. An icon. As passionate and driven as he was warm and loving.”

“He will be deeply missed by all who knew him or crossed paths with him,” the statement continued. “We are committed to carrying on Carl’s legacy and vision well into the future.”

Carl F. Rose, who died at age 91 in 2020, founded Carl’s Golfland in 1958 and quickly involved his son in the family business, having him pick up balls or drive the tractor at the original 750-square-foot Pontiac location.

In 1968, the brand opened a new 43,300-square-foot retail space in Bloomfield Hills that featured a 15-acre world-class practice facility.

Rose took over the business in 2000 and quickly began expanding, opening a second location in Plymouth, at Saint John’s Resort, the same year. Later, Rose would focus on their online storefront, offering international servicing and access to thousands of different golf accessories and equipment.

This investment into their web presence paid off immensely, helping to keep the company stable during the tumultuous COVID pandemic.

Through Rose ’s hard work and dedication, the “Land of Golf Plenty” has been recognized as one of Golf Digest’s 100 Best Clubfitters, GolfWorld’s 100 Best Golf Shops, and Hour Detroit’s 2005 Best of Detroit list to name a few.

But the impact Rose made spread much further than the world of golf.

During the pandemic, Carl’s Golfland donated over $600,000 to local medical facilities and hospitals through their online #ShankThisVirus campaign. In addition to their COVID fundraising, the company hosted a $500,000 putting challenge that included $450,000 to the maker of the 60-foot putt, and $50,000 to C.S Mott Children’s Hospital.

“He was one of the most caring and generous guys I’ve ever met in my life and anybody that came in contact with him felt like they had an immediate connection and friendship with him,” Carl’s Golfland COO Casey Baker told Hour.

“We’ve got a big void, they’re some big shoes to fill, but we know what he would want from us and we just want to continue to make him proud and carry on his legacy and his family’s legacy.”

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in his name can be made to C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital — University of Michigan Health or the Bloomfield Township Fire Department Charities and Police Department Benevolent Fund.

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