Honolulu, Hawaii – Friends of Hawaii Charities, charity host of the Sony Open in Hawaii, one of the largest charity fund-generating sports events in Hawaii, announced today that the 2021 PGA TOUR tournament, scheduled January 11 – 17 at Waialae Country Club, will be conducted without its many fans in attendance. All four rounds of the professional golf event are scheduled for live broadcast on the Golf Channel, January 14 – 17. The Monday Pro-Am (January 11) and Official Pro-Am (January 13) will be held at the Waialae Country Club golf venue.
“Health and safety for all participants is the priority for Friends of Hawaii Charities, Sony Corporation, the State and PGA TOUR. The difficult decision to conduct the tournament without spectators was made for the protection of everyone involved,” said Corbett A.K. Kalama, President, Friends of Hawaii Charities. “We are grateful to Title Sponsor Sony Corporation for stepping forward under these special circumstances, as the unwavering champion of Hawaii and its charities to support Friends, and Charity Partner The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation. Sony’s commitment ensures we continue to distribute $1.2 million to Hawaii’s charities through the 2021 Sony Open in Hawaii.”
“With PGA TOUR guidance, we are actively preparing protocols to ensure that health and safety measures are in place for the Pro-Am competitions, as well as for the professional tournament,” said Ray Stosik, Tournament Director. “We are grateful to the loyal cadre of volunteers, vendors, and sponsors, that have also stepped forward to work with us to support Hawaii charities through the Sony Open in Hawaii during these challenging times.”
The event’s extensive health and safety plans include a mandatory health questionnaire and temperature check for all on-site event participants, as well as CoVid testing for pros and their caddies, Pro-Am participants, and key operations personnel. The tournament will also limit physical gatherings, implement virtual social events, social distancing protocols, and enhance sanitation in accordance with PGA TOUR and State guidelines.
The Monday Pro-Am and Official Pro-Am competition held on Wednesday will provide amateur participants the unforgettable experience of engaging with PGA TOUR professionals in the context of PGA TOUR guidelines. Information about purchasing a Pro-Am package is available at www.SonyOpeninHawaii.com.
The Sony Open in Hawaii, with the vital support of Title Sponsor Sony Corporation, Charity Partner The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation, Site Hosts Waialae Country Club and Hawaii Tourism Authority, has distributed over $20.4 million to Hawaii charities since 1999. Last May, the 2020 Sony Open in Hawaii raised and distributed $1.2 million to over 110 Hawaii charities who minister to Hawaii communities most severely impacted by the global pandemic and economic shutdown.
These grants supported local non-profits, which provide food, shelter, safety, and healthcare to Hawaii’s needy, elderly, and disabled. 501 (c) (3) qualified not-for-profit organizations interested in applying for a 2021 grant should visit www.FriendsofHawaii.org. The 2021 grant application submission deadline is December 28, 2020.
The public is also invited to support Hawaii charities by making a donation to a favorite non-profit through the Friends of Hawaii Charities “Aloha for Hawaii Charities” program. Annually, Friends of Hawaii Charities provides a bonus boost to all donations made to participating AHC non-profit organizations. This campaign runs from November 16, 2020 – January 20, 2021 (4 pm HST). More information about the program is available at www.FriendsofHawaii.org.
For the most updated information about the 2021 Sony Open in Hawaii, please visit www.SonyOpeninHawaii.com.