Born in Ringsted, Iowa on April 12, 1912, Gene Root started his golf career as a 10-year old caddie at the Dubuque Country Club, where, 10 years later, he landed his first assistant professional position.
After 14 years as a golf professional in Iowa, southern California, and Texas, Root made a career move that brought him to the Denver area.
In 1946 Gene accepted the position of head professional at Lakewood Country Club, where he remained for the next 22 years. It was here that he touched the lives of a number of young aspiring golfers, including Dale Douglass, Paul McMullen, Jim Owen, Dick Billehus, Bobby Hold, Don Fox, and Milo Luckett.
In 1968 Gene moved to Applewood Golf Course in Golden, Colorado where he remained until his retirement in 1978.
Gene was as impressive a player as he was a teacher. His wins include the Tri-City Championship, Northern Texas Section PGA Championship, Wyoming Open, Utah Open, Rocky Mountain Open, Southern Colorado Open, Colorado PGA Championship, Colorado PGA Senior Championship, Mile High Open Senior Championship and the Colorado Open Senior Championship.
In addition to his accomplishments as a player and teacher, Gene also co-founded the Colorado PGA with Noble Chalfant. Over the years he held every office in that organization. He was honored by his peers as Colorado PGA Golf Professional of the Year (1965) and Section Player of the Year.
