KAPALUA, Maui (KHON2) — The Kapalua Golf Course on Maui is doing all it can to be ready for the PGA Tour’s Tournament of Champions in January, a tournament that it has hosted for almost 30 years. But the course is shutting down for 60 days due to a lack of water.
“That’s been painful to watch,” said Alex Nakajima, Kapalua Golf General Manager. “However, the condition has changed last weekend, so we can water, irrigate at 60% from normal. So this gives us a good hope.”
The pictures from above show just how bad the conditions are at the signature 18th hole at Kapalua’s Plantation Course. The top picture is from January, during the PGA Tour’s Sentry Tournament of Champions. The bottom picture is from two weeks ago, after the course’s water use was shut off for about a month and a half.
The hope is to return to the conditions golf fans in Hawaii – and around the world – are used to seeing every January. Kapalua has been home to the TOC since 1999.
“Because right around then they’re making summer plans, and when they see someplace that has, showcasing wonderful weather, they tend to want to book a vacation to Hawaii and that boosts our tourism economy,” said Rep. Adrian Tam, House Tourism committee chair.
Organizers estimate the Sentry generates more than $48 million every year to Maui’s economy, supporting small businesses and local jobs. It’s also raised close to $10 million for local charities since 1999, including a million towards the Lahaina wildfire recovery.
Kapalua Golf’s ownership has sued Maui Land and Pineapple, which owns the land where the water comes from, for not following agreements on water delivery.
In a statement, Hawaii Lodging and Tourism Association President and CEO Mufi Hannemann said it is important we strike a balance addressing the pressing issues around water while also remembering the broader impact that signature events like the Sentry bring to our state.
While the lawsuit plays out in court, Kapalua is doing everything it can – including shutting down the course for two months – to be ready for January.
“Certainly there’s a lot to be discussed,” said Nakajima. “It’s the PGA Tour’s discussion, decision to make that with the Sentry Insurance. I mean, they’re an important partners.”
“We like to host it at Kapalua, obviously, but I don’t know if there’s any other options,” said Nakajima.