The Sentry announces its 2024 event is on at Kapalua Plantation
The PGA Tour announced Thursday that it will return to Kapalua in January for the annual playing of The Sentry at the Plantation Course in the wake of the Aug, 8 wildfire that devastated Lahaina.
Tour winners from the 2023 calendar year and top-50 finishers on the FedEx Cup points list who did not win are eligible for the event that is set to kick off the 2024 season Jan. 4-7, 2024, at Kapalua.
Sentry tournament director Max Novena lives in West Maui and has been a major part of the decision-making process whether to hold the event at Kapalua or not.
“I think for the PGA Tour and for us playing The Sentry in January, it’s truly a responsibility and a privilege,” Novena said via phone on Thursday. “I think our players, their families, Sentry Insurance, our title sponsor, our golf fans around the world, we all love Maui.
“This community has hosted us for the last quarter century and we truly hope that we can honor them in January.”
A memo went out to players already qualified for The Sentry announcing the return to Kapalua. PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan said at the Tour Championship that he had been in contact with Hawaii Gov. Josh Green and The Sentry would return to Kapalua, if allowed, in hopes that the tournament will be a “source of inspiration for the great people of Maui and Lahaina.”
Monahan added: “You know, the PGA Tour, when moments like this happen, this is when we’re at our best.”
Novena said the event can perhaps be a bit of respite for West Maui fire survivors.
“(We want to) use the platform that we have to insure continued awareness, continued fundraising and continued community service to help West Maui, Lahaina, recover and rebuild,” Novena said.
Novena said that plans are underway to make the 26th anniversary of the event special for those who will be there.
“We’re going to be very, very thoughtful, very, very respectful about the look, the feel, the presentation — and probably most importantly — the purpose of the event,” Novena said. “Again, we want to truly honor the island, the beautiful people and plans are underway to ensure that families, kids, displaced families, first responders, that they have the opportunity to experience The Sentry and be recognized and celebrated within the community for everything that’s happened.”
The chance to promote Maui as tourism destination on NBC and The Golf Channel is also a big part of the plan as well.
Although structures at Kapalua resort were relatively unaffected by the Lahaina fire, Kapalua General Manager Alex Nakajima told Golf Digest that nearly a third of his staff lost homes and possessions.
Jon Rahm is defending champion at The Sentry, which will be the first of eight PGA Tour-dubbed “Signature Events” in the 2024 season.
PGA Tour Chief Competitions Officer Tyler Dennis sent the memo that went out to players in the field for The Sentry:
“It’s been six weeks since the Maui Wildfire Disaster severely impacted the island and its people. Given the continued relief and recovery efforts, I wanted to provide an update on The Sentry, which is scheduled to kick off the 2024 FedExCup Regular Season in January.
“Working in cooperation with state, county and community officials, the PGA Tour is committed to playing The Sentry in 2024 at The Plantation Course at Kapalua. Hawaii Governor Josh Green has been emphatic in his support of our event and others, recently stating, ‘This decision [to allow visitors and events to return to Maui] is meant to bring hope for recovery to the families and businesses on Maui that have been so deeply affected in every way by the disaster. People from Hawaii and around the world can resume travel to this special place and help it begin to recover economically.’
“There is no other organization in sport which rallies around those in need like the PGA Tour,” the memo continued. “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.”
Sentry Insurance announced Tuesday that it is donating $377,616 to Maui Food Bank and Maui United Way — $150,000 will go to the Maui Food Bank and $227,616 to Maui United Way
“We understand that West Maui has a long road to recovery, and we’re committed to being part of that process,” Pete McPartland, Sentry Chairman and CEO, said in a news release. “Our giving philosophy has been to support organizations that provide direct relief to those who need it most, and the Maui United Way and the Maui Food Bank are doing just that. We’re confident in their ability to make a profound impact.”
Sentry employees, retirees, and board members have personally contributed to fire relief as well, giving $107,145 to Maui United Way. The Sentry Foundation matched those donations dollar-for-dollar, resulting in a total contribution of $214,290.
An additional $13,326 was raised by an employee-led fundraiser.
“The wave of need for food following the fire disaster is turning into a tidal wave, as people throughout Maui County are now experiencing job layoffs from the sudden lack of tourism,” Richard Yust, Executive Director of Maui Food Bank, said in the news release. “We’re gearing up resources to meet the growing needs, and we are deeply grateful for Sentry’s partnership as we continue to provide reliable food access and sustain our community through these challenging times.”
Sentry has a history of supporting Maui in both good and challenging times. During the COVID-19 crisis, the company donated $200,000 to Maui United Way, and $250,000 to Maui Food Bank.
“We’ve developed close relationships and friendships with the people of Maui, so to see families lose their homes, and businesses burned to the ground, is devastating,” Stephanie Smith, president of the Sentry Foundation, said in the news release. “The personal donations and compassion we’ve seen from our employees, retirees, and board members really demonstrates how deeply connected we are to the island. We’re looking forward to The Sentry returning in January because we know it will provide a critical boost to West Maui’s recovery.”
* Robert Collias is at rcollias@mauinews.com
- Former champ Xander Schauffele eyes a putt on the Kapalua Plantation Course’s 10th hole in 2020. The Maui News / MATTHEW THAYER photos
- This year’s Sentry Tournament of Champions winner Jon Rahm shakes hands in January with playing partner Tom Kim on the Kapalua Plantation Course’s 18th green. The Maui News / MATTHEW THAYER photos
- Spectators walk along the 18th fairway as Jon Rahm and Tom Kim wait to hit their second shots in ths year’s final round. The Maui News / MATTHEW THAYER photos
- Colin Morikawa walks the 15th fairway in this year’s third round. The Maui News / MATTHEW THAYER photos
- Jordan Spieth chips to the Kapalua Plantation Course’s 14th green in January. The Maui News / MATTHEW THAYER photos