From his arrival to World Golf Village in St. Augustine, Florida 12 years ago, Denny Kompare has invested countless hours in making our community the best it can be. In fact, Denny was the first President of the Turnberry Homeowners Association and has volunteered in our St. Augustine golf course community in a variety of ways over the years.

Denny was one of the first residents of Turnberry when he retired to the area with his wife Joanne in March 1999. Sadly, Joanne passed away from Ovarian Cancer in April of this year. Denny’s son Douglas, a Personal Chef, lives with him in Turnberry.  They share their home with a Yorkie, a Cockatiel and a Senegal Parrot.  “It’s an amusing menagerie” says Denny.  In addition Denny has two lovely daughters, Denise and Desiree, who live in New Jersey and Virginia respectively.

Perhaps it was the worldly appeal of the name “World Golf Village” that caught Denny’s attention.  “I retired as the Director of International Business for Union Carbide,” said Denny.  “We had offices in 42 countries and I can count at least 60 countries I’ve traveled to over the years. My favorite part of the travel was interacting with people of all nationalities, cultures and traditions and enjoying all  of the differing cuisines”

Retiring didn’t slow Denny down a bit.  In addition to serving as President of the Turnberry Homeowners Association, he serves as President of Saint Johns Northwest Master Association Board and Vice President of the Saint Johns Northwest Residential Association Board.  He was one of the original founders of the WGV Social Committee, kicking off activities like the men’s poker club, casino nights and neighborhood Happy Hours.  He volunteers at the World Golf Hall of Fame and frequently volunteers at golf tournaments, including the Murray Brothers Caddyshack Tournaments, the TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra, Florida and the Ginn Championship Golf Tournaments in Palm Coast, Florida. 

Speaking of golf, Denny credits his move to World Golf Village as the impetus for improving his own game.  “I was a seldom golfer before I moved here,” he explained.  “I would occasionally play with business associates and my 140 average score was not something to write home about to say the least. But now after lessons with the World Golf Village pros and plays at many local courses including the King & Bear and Slammer & Squire, I’m hitting around 100 to 102.”

Denny has been on the local Catholic Charities Board of Directors for five years, serving as Chairman for the past three years. His commitment and work led to  his appointment to the Diocesan Catholic Charities Board of Directors, of which he currently serves as Finance Chair.
 
Denny has also been President of the local chapter (Northeast Florida/Southeast Georgia) of Union Carbide Retirees for four years and was appointed to Director for all 11 chapters in Florida in January 2011. Just this October, Denny was elected Chief Financial Officer of the organization’s National Board. 

Winston Churchill once said, “We make a living by what we do, but we make a life by what we give.”  For World Golf Village neighbor Denny Kompare, the giving is generous and steadfast.