The PGA Tour will tee off the 2024 season with the Sentry Tournament of Champions at Kapalua, exactly five months after deadly wildfires ripped through nearby Lahaina, killing at least 97 residents (with many more missing).
The property at Kapalua Resort was not impacted. But at least a third of the resort’s staff, who live in the Lahaina area, lost their homes.
The tour sent a memo on Thursday, notifying players that it will return to Kapalua for the Jan. 4-7 opener.
Hawaii Gov. Josh Green previously advised the tour to “go forward” with plans for the tournament.
“Like so many around the world, we’re absolutely heartbroken,” said tournament director Max Novena, who lives on West Maui. “It’s a tight-knit community and we’ve experienced and shared compassion and generosity and aloha, and it’s been inspiring.
“Playing the Sentry in January is our responsibility and it’s a privilege,” he said. “We fully intend to use our platform to bring awareness, bring fundraising and community service to help West Maui and Lahaina rebuild.”
Green recently signed a proclamation that most of West Maui will reopen to visitors Oct. 8. The area has some 11,000 hotel rooms, half of Maui’s total. The Bay Course at Kapalua opened Wednesday, and the Plantation Course where the tournament is held will open Oct. 18.
Tyler Dennis, the tour’s chief competitions officer, said in Thursday’s memo that Green “has been emphatic in his support of our event and others.”
“There is no other organization in sport which rallies around those in need like the PGA Tour,” Dennis wrote. “Given the overwhelming support for playing the tournament, the tour and The Sentry are currently working on plans to further raise awareness and assist with fundraising and community service to Maui in a thoughtful and respectful manner.”
