KAHULUI (HawaiiNewsNow) – The PGA Tour has canceled the Sentry Tournament of Champions at Kapalua Resort in January.
Kapalua golf courses said the Sentry generated $50 million each year in economic activity and its general manager learned about the cancellation five minutes before the public announcement.
Last month, The Plantation and The Bay golf courses at Kapalua announced they’d be closed for at least two months because of lack of water.
On Tuesday, the PGA Tour cited the ongoing drought and “logistical complexities” to staging a tournament on Maui, saying moving forward with the January event at Kapalua in 2026 was not feasible.
“It’s a major disappointment first of all to the golf course and people that we work with. They have done everything they can to save the tournament and minimize the damage during the water restrictions,” said Alex Nakajima, Kapalua Golf general manager.
“This is an economic blow to everyone,” he added.
Earlier this year, The Sentry announced record-setting $747,000 in donations for Maui nonprofits.
Students with Lahaina Junior Golf served as standard bearers for the tournament and the LahainaTown Action Committee says the loss of the Sentry is an economic loss for Maui worth millions, but also the loss of a community experience.
“In shock really. I’m at a loss for words. This is devastating on so many levels,” said Sne Patel, LahainaTown Action Committee president and treasurer for Lahaina Junior Golf.
“The kids go and greet the players and give them their rental car, help them with their bag and it’s invaluable that engagement,” he added.
“I was stunned, but I wasn’t surprised. We are in a massive drought on Maui right now,” said Jonathan Conrad, Lahainaluna High School athletic director.
“The Sentry tournament was a huge donor to our sports teams and athletics coming through the Lahainaluna High School Foundation. It’s devastating. I’m not quite sure what the pivot is on this,” he added.
Conrad says the teams received tens of thousands of dollars from the Sentry Foundation over the years.
Gov. Josh Green met with the CEO of the PGA Tour and in a statement his office said he supported the decision.
“Protecting our water and supporting our communities come first,” said Green.
The PGA Tour did not say where The Sentry is going to in 2027.
Two other PGA Tour-sanctioned events in Hawaii will take place as planned.
The 2026 Sony Open will be held at Waialae Country Club on Oahu, while the PGA Tour Champions’ Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualalai will be played at Hualalai Golf Club on Hawaii Island.
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