HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Reactions continues to pour in over the tour’s decision to not have any PGA Tour events in Hawaii.
Golf Analyst Mark Rolfing says the decision to pull The Sentry at Kapalua from the upcoming tour schedule was a decision the PGA didn’t take lightly.However, he says it ultimately came down to the amount of revenue that can be generated.
“I’m sort of half angry and half disappointed. I don’t quite understand why you would make an announcement as to what you weren’t gonna do, without telling everybody what you were gonna do. All we’re hearing is what we’re not gonna do and that is play golf in Hawaii,” said Rolfing.
For nearly six decades, Hawaii was a staple on the PGA calendar with regular tournaments on Maui, Oahu and the Big Island.
Rolfing says as the PGA shapes its 2027 schedule, investing resources across the Pacific became a bigger challenge.
“The PGA Tour was a not for profit organization. The NFL is for profit, the NBA is for profit, Major League Baseball is for profit. Now that it has become a for profit, they have to find bigger markets, they have to find higher television ratings,” said Rolfing. “Four percent of people play golf, that’s not that big compared to 100 million people watching an NFL game.”
This past Sony Open generated $54 million in statewide economic impact, bringing in thousands of visitors — a loss that will be felt in 2027.
The Sony is also the primary title sponsor for the Friends of Hawaii Charities.
“Sony’s been with us since 1998 if I’m not mistaken. We generated well over $28 million, but beyond the money it’s just the exposure and the focus that the Sony Open week had brought to Hawaii for so many years,” said Friends of Hawaii Charities President Corbett Kalama.
Rolfing added, “I think Hawaii is an important global destination. It’s the gateway to the other half of the world.”
That exposure has also kickstarted a platform for local talent like Kauai native David Ishii, who won the Hawaiian Open in 1990.
“When you’re local, it’s your dream to play in the Sony,” said Ishii.
Ishii goes back to when he was ten years old, saying these events can leave a lasting impression on a young kid.
“My father took me to this tournament called the World Cup or the Canada Cup on Maui and I saw Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player for the first time and woah they use such big golf bags and they look so nice,” said Ishii.
Hawaii’s relationship with the PGA could still have some momentum down the line.Discussions are underway with the Sony Open about a potential future spot on the PGA Tour Champions schedule.
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