Title: Sentry's Extended Sponsorship in Maui's PGA Tour Event: Beyond the Green
Sentry Insurance's CEO, Pete McPartland, vividly recalls the moment during a board meeting. The topic was the company's Connected Communities initiative, a Sister Cities-like project where leaders from Maui and Stevens Point brainstormed ways to uplift their communities. Suddenly, Chief Marketing Officer Stephanie Smith interrupted to share distressing news – Maui was on fire.
On August 8, 2023, the Acting Governor of Hawaii, Sylvia Luke, declared an emergency as wildfires began to ravage Maui. First responders battled the flames, while government agencies, corporations, and celebrities like Oprah and Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson offered aid. Faced with this crisis, McPartland and Sentry took action, mirroring what they would do if Stevens Point was under threat.
To gain local insights, they enlisted help from golf broadcaster Mark Rolfing, who resided on Maui. Prioritizing mental health support, Sentry committed $1 million to aid the affected communities, particularly Lahaina's youth, as the fires caused $5.5 billion in damages and claimed over 100 lives.
In November 2023, Sentry introduced Sentry Mālama Nā Keiki, an initiative that has helped over 5,000 children and families on Maui. On the eve of the annual PGA Tour tournament, Sentry announced an additional $1 million donation to Maui United Way, raising its total wildfire relief and recovery contributions to over $3 million, with $2 million dedicated to youth mental health.
Recalling the role of the Maui community, McPartland emphasized, "The role that the community of Maui plays in our lives is a major part of this storyline, more than it is even the golf." While golf initially served as a bridge between Stevens Point and Hawaii, it was Sentry's commitment to supporting the community that truly resonated with McPartland.
Founded in 1904, Sentry Insurance adopted a new logo and brand identity in 2016, which led to the opportunity to host the PGA Tour event. Sentry seized this opportunity, recognizing the event's value for client relationship-building and brand awareness.
Since 1952, the tournament had undergone several iterations, but when Sentry became the title sponsor in 2018, it underwent its biggest transformation in 2023, with an increased purse and eligibility to attract top golfers. The event's return to a calendar-year schedule in 2024 would make it the Tour's opening tournament, further strengthening Sentry's association with the PGA Tour.
Long-standing relationships with its clients and commitment to the PGA Tour tournament have reinforced Sentry's position in the golf community. The company's foray into golf continued to grow with the opening of SentryWorld on its campus in 1982 and hosting prestigious golf events, leading to partnerships with the USGA and becoming a First Tee trustee.
McPartland fondly shares, "I like to say that I think we’re the most golf-centric company not in the golf business. Golf is good for us."
Enrichment Data:
- Sentry Insurance has donated a total of $3 million to support wildfire relief and recovery efforts, with $2 million allocated to youth mental health services.
- The Sentry Mālama Nā Keiki initiative, launched with a $1 million donation, has already helped over 5,000 children and families across Maui.
- The additional $1 million donation announced on December 31, 2024, will expand the program's reach and continued focus on children's mental health needs.
- Sentry's commitment to the Maui community extends beyond its role as title sponsor of The Sentry PGA TOUR tournament, emphasizing a focus on supporting the people of Maui as they rebuild.
- Since becoming the title sponsor of The Sentry in 2017, Sentry has contributed over $7.5 million to local charities and initiatives, reinforcing its focus on improving quality of life and building equitable communities.
Sentry Insurance, as the title sponsor of the PGA Tour event, not only bolstered its client relationships and brand awareness but also demonstrated its support for the golf community. To further highlight this commitment, Sentry secured a sponsorship deal with the PGA Tour, resulting in Boosting Sentry's association with the Tour even more.
During the Sentry Tour event, Sentry Insurance, with its strong ties to the PGA Tour, decided to showcase its support for the affected Maui community, following the 2023 wildfires, by sponsoring local organizations, such as the Sentry Mālama Nā Keiki initiative, which focuses on youth mental health services.
[Alternatively, in response to the supporting sentence, another sentence could be:]
In an effort to sustain its support for the Maui community, Sentry announced an additional $1 million donation in December 2024 to continue supporting Sentry Mālama Nā Keiki, further solidifying its stance as a dedicated and engaged corporate citizen.
[Or as an alternative to the previous sentence, another sentence could be:]
Partnering with the PGA Tour, Sentry Insurance recognized the potential to expand its philanthropic reach and leveraged the occasion to contribute to Maui's wildfire recovery, investing in local organizations and initiatives, including the Sentry Mālama Nā Keiki initiative, which aimed to promote youth mental health services.
