The Sentry’s Future Currently Uncertain In Coming Years

Back in September, drought conditions left the future of the Sentry tournament in limbo as the PGA needed to find a new venue.  It was later cancelled due to logistical issues with finding a new venue.  With the decision made, the 2026 PGA regular season would start later than expected.  Now looking into the 2027 season, it may very well be the case that 2026 would have been the Sentry’s last chance to be part of the regular season, as Brian Rolapp is looking to make changes in the league.

The Sentry

The Senty has existed in some form or another since 1953.  In 1999, it was made to be the opener for the PGA season when it was moved to Maui.  For the majority of years since, it has remained.  This year has marked the first time it has ever been cancelled for any reason.   The course was subject to water restrictions due to the drought.  Water was restricted to only the necessities, and the course couldn’t use water beyond indoor plumbing.  The title sponsor of the event has donated $1 million to local charities on the island so as not leave the community hanging dry.  Half of it went to Maui United Way, and the other half was split evenly between the local food bank and the Pu’u Kukui Watershed.

Schedule Changes Booting Off The Sentry

Back in November, Brian Rolapp announced changes to the schedule.  The explanation was to make the PGA a more summer-focused league.  This way, fans won’t have to choose between watching their favourite golfers or their favourite football teams.  At the time, there was no set date for the changes, or if they would even happen, but after the Sentry’s cancellation, concerns for the event’s future have come up.  Mainly, whether Hawaii will even be part of the regular season in the coming years.  According to the Future Competitions Committee, the schedule is still up in the air.  The title sponsor of the tournament has stated that it would still like to keep the tournament in Maui.  However, chief marketing officer Stephanie Smith has acknowledged that the future may not be in the cards.

Future Seasons

With schedule changes just over the horizon, events will be shifted around.  Some will be moved deeper into the season, and others will be dropped from the regular season.  For the Sentry and the Sony Open, if they are removed from the schedule but the participants wish to continue, they could be incorporated into one of the subsidiaries, such as the Korn Ferry Tour.  Members of the Future Competitions Committee are confident that there will be a positive impact from the changes.  Members like Tiger Woods. 

It will be a shame to see events like the Sentry fall from the schedule, but it would make the competition just a little bit tighter.  However, there would then be an issue of Hawaii not having an event in the regular lineup.  With the courses on the island and the tourism those events bring, there could be a change made to benefit the state in the future.