, September 16, 2025
News Summary
The PGA TOUR has canceled the 2026 Sentry Tournament of Champions at Kapalua due to severe drought conditions affecting the island. Over 90% of Maui County is facing drought stress, impacting water supply and course maintenance. Local charities that benefit from the tournament’s annual fundraising will also feel the economic impact. The Sony Open in Hawaii is set to replace The Sentry in early 2026, leaving Maui without its significant sporting event, as the community focuses on water management and recovery efforts.
Kapalua —
Shock on the Maui tee: The 2026 Sentry Tournament of Champions is off the calendar at Kapalua
Here’s the blunt scoop for golf fans who love dramatic cliffs, ocean winds and those jaw-dropping elevation changes at The Plantation Course — the PGA TOUR has canceled the 2026 staging of The Sentry at Kapalua. The decision follows prolonged and worsening drought conditions across Maui that have pushed water supplies to the brink and forced tough choices about priorities for the island community.
The drought picture is serious: over 90% of Maui County is under notable drought stress, affecting more than 140,000 residents. Local water conservation rules are now in place to make sure households, hospitals and critical services come first. That squeeze on water has hit resort operations and golf courses directly, with Kapalua Resort reporting strict limits that made keeping the Plantation Course at TOUR-ready condition impossible.
Why it was pulled
The PGA TOUR sent its agronomy team to Kapalua after the resort warned of water limits. The agronomy report found the course’s condition severely compromised. Given how much lead time the TOUR needs to stage a week-long event — crews, course prep, broadcast infrastructure, player services — organizers concluded they could not guarantee the high standards of play expected by early January. The official event window was January 5–11, 2026.
This wasn’t a solo call. Stakeholders—including Sentry Insurance, Kapalua Resort, Maui County officials and the Governor’s office—were involved. The title sponsor and local leaders supported the move, and the PGA TOUR CEO and state leadership were in alignment about protecting the community and resources.
Big-picture hits: money and charity
This cancellation has real impact beyond a missed week of golf. The Sentry has been the TOUR’s season-opening event since 1986 and has called The Plantation Course home since 1999. The tournament brings an estimated $50 million to Maui every year and has raised over $9.7 million for local nonprofits since it moved to the island.
Local charities that rely on those funds will feel it. Organizations like Hale Makua Health Services and Ka Lima O Maui are among the groups that face a sudden drop in expected revenue tied to the tournament’s annual fundraising and community programs.
What’s happening with the courses
Water woes forced the temporary closing of both the Bay and Plantation courses for at least 60 days to try to revive turf and infrastructure. There’s also an ongoing lawsuit tied to an aging water delivery network, a century-old system that plaintiffs say was neglected by the owner, which has added legal and operational headaches to the crisis.
Executives in the resort and golf community have questioned the long-term feasibility of keeping courses open amid continued investment needs for water management. For now, the operational reality is stark: limited water, closed fairways and an uncertain timetable to recover.
Where will the action be in 2026?
The Sony Open in Hawaii will be held at Waialae Country Club on Oahu and will take the spot on the TOUR schedule that The Sentry would have occupied in early January 2026. That shift helps the TOUR maintain an early-season event in Hawaii but leaves Maui without its biggest sporting week.
The Sentry was first titled by Sentry Insurance in 2018 and has a long history — earlier editions were staged in Las Vegas and California before the move to Maui in 1999. Last year’s edition was a blockbuster performance, with Hideki Matsuyama claiming the 2025 title with an eye-popping 35-under performance.
What’s next?
Officials say future details will be announced as they become available, including any plans to bring a marquee event back to Kapalua once water supply and course health permit. For now, the focus is on supporting the local community, ensuring water access where it’s needed most, and protecting the long-term health of the island’s courses and people.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was The Sentry canceled at Kapalua in 2026?
The PGA TOUR canceled the event because prolonged drought and water restrictions left The Plantation Course in a condition that could not be restored to TOUR standards in time for the January event window.
How widespread is the drought on Maui?
More than 90% of Maui County is experiencing significant drought, affecting over 140,000 residents and prompting mandatory water conservation measures.
Who was involved in the decision?
The decision involved the PGA TOUR leadership, Sentry Insurance (the title sponsor), Kapalua Resort, Maui County officials and the Governor’s office.
What happens to the economic benefits the tournament brings?
The tournament typically generates about $50 million annually for Maui and supports local charities; canceling the event means a major economic and fundraising loss for island nonprofits.
Is there a replacement event for early January 2026?
The Sony Open in Hawaii at Waialae Country Club on Oahu will occupy the early January slot in 2026.
Quick Reference Table
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Event | The Sentry Tournament of Champions (2026 at Kapalua canceled) |
| Original Dates | January 5–11, 2026 |
| Reason | Severe drought and water restrictions; course conditions compromised |
| Economic Impact | Approximately $50 million annually for Maui |
| Local Charities Affected | Hale Makua Health Services, Ka Lima O Maui, and others; $9.7M+ raised since 1999 |
| Alternate Event | Sony Open at Waialae Country Club, Oahu (fills the early January slot) |
| Course Closures | Bay and Plantation courses closed for at least 60 days to recover turf |
| Legal Issue | Lawsuit tied to century-old water delivery system alleging neglect |
Bottom line: For now, Maui loses the big week of golf and the community funds it supports. The island’s focus is back on essentials — water, recovery and protecting residents — while golf fans and organizers wait to see when Kapalua can host a tournament again.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
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Kapalua Golf Courses Close Temporarily Amid Water Crisis
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Additional Resources
- PGA Tour Announcement
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Drought
- Golf Week Article
- Google Search: PGA Tour Sentry Tournament 2026
- Maui Now News
- Google Scholar: Economic Impact of Sports Events
- KHON2 News Report
- Google News: 2026 Sentry Tournament Kapalua
- Front Office Sports
- Golf.com Article
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