The start of the 2026 PGA Tour season could be in doubt, and the reason is as unexpected as it is concerning: Maui’s water shortage. Since 1999, The Sentry at Kapalua Resort has marked the beginning of the calendar, but current water restrictions have forced the temporary closure of its courses.
Journalist Doug Ferguson from Associated Press revealed that both the Plantation Course and the Bay Course will be closed for 60 days starting September 2, in an effort to save the turf and preserve the historic tournament. Alex Nakajima, general manager of Kapalua, acknowledged that the courses have been damaged for months: “I proposed to the owner to close the courses to increase the chances of saving the tournament and the golf course,” he explained.
Options for the PGA Tour if Kapalua doesn’t recover
The 2026 PGA Tour schedule is complicated by this situation. The Sentry is scheduled for January 5, leaving little room to find alternatives. One of the most viable options would be to move the tournament to Waialae Country Club in Honolulu, home of the Sony Open, which would allow for consecutive weeks of play in Hawaii without significantly altering logistics.
However, relocating an event of this magnitude is never simple. The organization experienced something similar when the Genesis Invitational had to move from Riviera Country Club to Torrey Pines in San Diego, following wildfires in Los Angeles. Still, repeating that maneuver for The Sentry seems difficult due to the tight timeline.
A distant dream for golf fans
Many fans dream of seeing the season start in Australia, with iconic venues like Royal Melbourne. But despite the quality of its courses, the reality is that the PGA Tour doesn’t have an official tournament there, and sponsorship and travel issues make the option virtually impossible.
The desire to keep Kapalua as the venue is strong. Not just for tradition, but because it represents a unique start: spectacular courses, Pacific views, and Hawaii’s signature as the tour’s first destination.
Kapalua on countdown to 2026
The future of The Sentry at Kapalua will depend on how the water crisis evolves in the coming months. While organizers fight to restore the turf and secure the facilities, fans hope the tournament can retain its essence: opening each PGA Tour season from one of the most paradisiacal corners of the golf world.
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