By Greg Johnson
Carl and Donna Rose founded Carl’s Golfland in 1958, but since 2000 the driving force behind the huge golf retailer was their son, Carl Edward Rose, who passed in January. He was the CEO of one of the largest golf retailers in the country. Carl’s Golfland offers golf apparel, equipment and expertise from over 80 vendors, serves over 50,000 customers and performs over 12,000 fittings annually.
Their first store encompassed just 750 square-feet of floor space on the outskirts of Pontiac. In 1962, the store moved to its current location in Bloomfield Hills with over 43,000 square-feet of golf retail space, plus a 15-acre world-class practice facility and training center. In 2000, a second retail location was opened at the Saint John’s Golf Club, in Plymouth.
Throughout the years, Carl’s Golfland has been recognized as a leader with numerous awards including GolfWorld’s 100 Best Golf Shops, Golf Digest’s 100 Best Clubfitters, Mizuno’s Top 100 Clubfitters, Ping’s Top 100 Club Fitters and Hour Detroit’s Best of to name a few.
Many know Carl’s Golfland from its large online presence as one of the leading e-commerce golf companies.
Carl E. Rose was posthumously named the Golf Association of Michigan’s (GAM) Distinguished Service Award winner for 2026. It’s the highest GAM honor and he will be celebrated, along with other award winners, at the association’s annual meeting this spring.
Carl E. once said in an interview he never felt like he had a job,
“It has kind of been my life,” he said of growing up in a family business founded by his parents, Carl F. and Donna Rose. I got to work with my dad and my mother. My dad taught me how to behave, influence, and treat people the way you want to be treated. They both taught me hard work and that if you love what you do, it is never a job. I loved coming here as kid, driving the tractor picking balls, having fun with the different mowers. I still love coming here.”
Mary Jo Green, Senior Director of Communications and Operations for GAM, nominated Carl E. for the award citing his commitment to supporting the game of golf at every level.
“While he had a remarkable impact on the family’s business at Carl’s Golfland and was influential in the golf retail industry nationwide, he also impacted the golfers of all ages with unwavering support of our programs and championships at the GAM. He was a partner in our mission, not just the sponsor of championships. He wanted to help people succeed in the game, but to also to love the game and he made golf in Michigan better. We lost him too soon. He is missed by his family, his employees, industry partners, and the golfers he helped along the way.”
Rose started working at his parent’s driving range at an early age and eventually joined the family business. In 2000, he took over as the owner and is credited with expanding the ground-breaking business with a second location, but especially with national online sales. In addition, the retail side and practice centers adapted to the technological changes in golf training, practice methods, and equipment quickly and effectively, often in advance of competitors.
Casey Baker, chief operation officer for Carl’s Golfland, noted his mentor was a steadfast proponent of amateur golf, including starting a First Clubs for Kids initiative that grants junior golfers their first club for free.
“Carl understood golf retail was simply one facet of the great game we love and play,” he said. “While a retailer in the industry, he wanted to support golf wherever he could and where it was played, especially by amateur players, who are as passionate about the game as he was. There was never a question about Carl’s commitment to amateur golf and supporting the GAM. The core values of Carl’s Golfland and the way Carl envisioned his business operating, align with the GAM and their mission.”
Baker said Rose would be humbled by the award and would credit his parents and his employees, the Carl’s Golfland family, for any and all successes.
“It’s the kind of guy he was, and he made us all better.”
