Earl Tamiya might run a Division-II golf program at University of Hawai'i-Hilo, but when it comes to hosting intercollegiate tournaments he's "D-I."

His coaching peers tell him "You da man."

Just ask visiting teams when they go to the Big Island for golf tournaments hosted by UH-Hilo. They get to play resort courses like Mauna Lani and the Waikoloa Kings Course.

But it's also the little things that Tamiya does that endears him to everyone from Big Isle residents and visiting players and coaches.

Well, little to Tamiya, who's of that ain't-no-big-thing mentality.

Take, for example, the idea of renaming the Mauna Lani Intercollegiate Tournament to the Dennis Rose Intercollegiate Tournament in honor of the resort's director of golf who died of cancer in July.

"We wanted to honor Dennis for all that he has done for golf," Tamiya said. "We thought this was the most fitting thing to do because he helped us get this tournament started three years ago."

Tamiya's recognition of Rose's efforts overwhelmed the Rose family, including his wife, Laura, and parents, Whitey and Rita, who were at the opening ceremonies Monday night. It was an emotional moment that touched everyone attending the banquet.

Matt Hall, president of the Aloha Section PGA, attended the event and it even left him a bit teary-eyed.

"When the chant began, you had goose bumps. You could feel Dennis was there. Looking out at the kids, you could tell that they felt the bridge between golf, Hawai'i and friendship. Those are the things Dennis tried to promote," Hall said.

"You've done a lot of things, but this takes the cake," Whitey Rose told Tamiya. "We're very grateful."

Tamiya did the whole bit: blowing conch shells, a traditional Hawaiian blessing and chants followed by entertainment provided by students and teachers from Hawai'i Community College.

"It was the authentic stuff, not a touristy one," Tamiya said. "Hopefully, it was a great cultural experience for the Mainland kids."

Only in its third year, the renamed Dennis Rose Intercollegiate is already the biggest D-II collegiate tournament in the fall golf season with 16 men's and 12 women's teams, according to Tamiya. (Sonoma State won this year's men's event at Mauna Lani, while California Baptist took the women's honors at Waikoloa Kings' on Tuesday).

And judging by the waiting list, the most popular as well. Already 20 schools have committed to play in the men's event next year.

Rose and Tamiya got together four years ago for a D-II tournament, hoping to emulate the success of the UH-Hilo Intercollegiate involving D-I schools.

It has established itself as the most popular tournament opening the spring golf season. That's when biggies such as Stanford, Southern California, Georgia Tech and Arizona State can't wait to show up. Local golf fans figure to be in for a big treat next February. Stanford is the defending NCAA champion, while USC will be led by Jamie Lovemark, the NCAA player of the year.

Tamiya couldn't get enough teams to come when he first thought about the D-II tournament back in 2004. Seven men's teams played in the inaugural Mauna Lani Invitational in 2005 and the field has been increasing each year.

"We want to make it the class of all D-II tournaments," said Tamiya, UH-Hilo's men coach since 1989. He certainly has succeeded.

Rose had predicted its success. "Who doesn't want to come to Hawai'i. Hawai'i's a big sell," he said then.