The 2024 PGA Tour teed off Thursday with the opening round of The Sentry, the first major sporting event to be held on the island of Maui since the devastating Lahaina wildfires in August.
Sentry Insurance, the tournament’s title sponsor, has committed a total of $2 million in giving to support the Maui community.
“We believe deeply in the resilience of people, and the power of giving back. Every minute of time volunteered, and every dollar donated will help Maui cope, heal, and recover from the trauma of this unprecedented disaster.” said Kalynn Pempek, Executive Director of the Sentry Insurance Foundation.
Stevens Point, Wisconsin-based Sentry donated $1 million for immediate relief and an additional $1 million to support the healing of Maui’s youth from the trauma. In total, the Sentry Foundation and Sentry have donated more than $6 million to charities based on Maui.
On Friday, Sentry will provide lunch for the staff of the Maui Humane Society, which has has actively rescued, treated, and provided ongoing support to thousands of animals and pet owners in response to the wildfires. In addition, 50 of Sentry’s guests put together keiki care packages for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Maui, which included a draw string bag, playing cards, fidgets, snacks, decorative high socks and Lego kits.
PGA star Colin Morikawa said this week he will donate to Hawaii charities $2,000 for every birdie and $4,000 for every eagle he makes. Morikawa made six birdies and one eagle in the first round Thursday and sits in a tie for second place entering Friday’s round.
“They’ve been through a lot of hardship over the last months and to know that you’re able to help out just building some boxes of food for them, giving back some money to the help the foundation here, right?” Morikawa said.
Lahaina Strong ❤️@Collin_Morikawa will be donating $2,000 for every birdie and $4,000 per eagle that he makes this week at The Sentry to local Hawaii charities working to bring the community back – @HuaMomonaFarms and the Maui Strong Fund, part of the Hawaii Community… pic.twitter.com/H2NwOzwcoh
— The Sentry (@TheSentry) January 4, 2024
Fans are encouraged to donate to Maui United Way on The Sentry’s website.
The Sentry runs through Sunday and will be televised on the Golf Channel and NBC. The tournament is played at Kapalua’s Plantation Course, located on the north end of Lahaina.
The Sentry is one of the PGA Tour’s eight Signature Events, which includes an expanded field of tournament winners and the top 50 players from the FedExCup playoffs points list. The tournament carries a purse of $20 million.
Photo: FILE – Collin Morikawa hits from the fairway on the fourth hole during the first round of the Tournament of Champions golf event, Jan. 6, 2022, at Kapalua Plantation Course in Kapalua, Hawaii. Morikawa is among players helping contribute to local charities in response to the deadly fires in Lahaina. (AP Photo/Matt York, File)
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