Kapalua Out: PGA Tour’s Sentry Moves Due to Drought in Maui

The PGA Tour’s Sentry Moves From Kapalua Amid Drought

The PGA Tour has announced that The Sentry, its season-opening event, will move from Kapalua Resort in Hawaii due to the severe drought and water disputes that have affected the golf course. The decision, communicated on Tuesday, ends a tradition that dates back to 1999, with the exception of the year 2001, when the event was held in Australia. The tournament, a renowned event with a $20 million purse, was scheduled to take place from January 8 to 11, 2025. The drought and water restrictions in Maui, affecting more than 140,000 residents, have made it unfeasible to hold the tournament at the Plantation Course at Kapalua. Brian Rolapp, CEO of PGA Tour Enterprises, consulted with the governor of Hawaii, Josh Green, as well as Sentry Insurance, Kapalua Resort, and Maui County before making the decision. The logistical challenges involved in setting up the tournament on an island in the middle of the Pacific were also considered.

The PGA Tour has determined that the 2026 edition of The Sentry will not be played at the Plantation Course in Kapalua due to current drought conditions, water conservation requirements, agronomic conditions, and logistical challenges.

PGA Tour Statement

Governor Green backed the decision, emphasizing the priority of protecting water resources and supporting local communities. The drought has led to water conservation measures that prioritize the island’s needs. Kapalua Resort, which generated an economic impact of $50 million in the area thanks to the tournament, has seen its Plantation course affected by lack of irrigation. Sentry Insurance, the main sponsor of the tournament until 2035, also supported the decision.

Our communities are connected. We have built meaningful friendships across the island, and those relationships are more important than the tournament.

Stephanie Smith, Director of Marketing and Brand at Sentry

The water conflict centers on accusations that Maui Land & Pineapple (MLP), which manages the ditch system that supplies water to Kapalua, has not made the necessary repairs. This has affected the water supply, leading to a lawsuit filed by Kapalua’s owner, Japanese billionaire Tadashi Yanai, along with other residents. MLP has stated that it has performed repairs and improvements to the ditch system as indicated by the Commission on Water Resource Management. Kapalua Resort closed the Plantation course for two months in an attempt to save the course, but the imposed irrigation restrictions worsened the situation. The Bay course also closed indefinitely to try to preserve the Plantation. In recent weeks, both sides have exchanged accusations. MLP alleged that Kapalua used more than a million gallons of water a day, leading to stricter restrictions. Yanai, through his company TY Management, argued that Kapalua’s irrigation is centrally controlled and science-based, complying with all regulations. The PGA Tour Champions is scheduled to begin its season on Big Island from January 23 to 25, while the LPGA usually visits Hawaii in early October. The next step is to determine the new location and date for the tournament, considering the Sony Open which is held the following week. The PGA Tour has added the Trump Doral near Miami to the 2026 calendar in April, although the main sponsor for that tournament has not yet been announced.