Who we are

Maui Open 2026 Video

Mission: To host a first-class professional golf tournament on Maui that rewards elite performance, celebrates golf tradition, and channels its success into meaningful support for youth and community programs.

The Maui Open Golf Championship is dedicated to hosting a first‑class professional tournament on Maui—one that showcases elite performance, honors the island’s golf heritage, and channels its success into meaningful support for youth and community programs.

Founded in 1952 as the Maui Invitational, the event quickly earned its reputation as “the biggest little tournament in the Hawaiian Islands.” For generations, it has drawn top amateur and professional players while becoming a cherished part of Maui’s sporting identity.

To protect this legacy and ensure a strong future, the Maui Open has established a Board of Directors with defined officers and committees. This structure strengthens continuity, improves governance, and reduces reliance on any single individual—allowing the tournament to grow responsibly and sustainably.

As we transition into a charitable nonprofit organization, our mission expands beyond competition. We are committed to giving back to the community that has supported this event for more than 70 years, with a focus on youth development, local programs, and opportunities that enrich life on Maui.

The Maui Open is more than a tournament. It is a tradition, a community asset, and a commitment to Maui’s future.

Maui Open Statement on Payouts

The Maui Open is an actual Open, meaning amateurs and professionals compete in the same field. Because of that, payouts must follow the overall leaderboard. If we were to ignore the overall finish and pay professionals as if amateurs didn’t beat them—or vice‑versa—we would effectively be running two separate tournaments. That would require splitting the field into separate Pro and Amateur divisions, and that is not the direction we want to take the event.

A professional finishing 4th or 5th and receiving 2nd‑place money simply because amateurs finished ahead of him would not reflect the integrity of the competition. Our payout structure ensures that results and payouts align with actual performance in the field.

When an amateur finishes in a payout position, the portion of the purse that would have been awarded to a professional is not reassigned to the next pro. Likewise, amateurs finishing behind professionals do not receive first‑place amateur awards simply for being the first amateur.

Instead, as a charitable organization, the Board of Directors directs that any unclaimed amount be returned to the Maui Open to support our charitable purpose and to strengthen the event for future years. This approach preserves competitive integrity while allowing the Maui Open to continue growing and serving the community.

NEWSLETTER

Meet the Team

Mike Morris

Chairman
With a vision for building something meaningful, Mike Morris leads the Maui Open with a blend of big‑picture strategy and hands‑on dedication. His drive to establish the Maui Open as a charitable organization reflects a long‑term commitment to securing the tournament’s future for the next 75 years and beyond.
Since 2018, Mike has volunteered his time and leadership to guide the Maui Open’s evolution, drawing on a deep love for the game and the island it calls home. His stewardship has helped shape the tournament’s modern identity — one rooted in tradition, community impact, and competitive excellence.
As Chairman, Mike brings clarity, purpose, and a steady commitment to ensuring the Maui Open continues to inspire players and support Maui’s youth and community programs for generations to come.
Shawn Bedard

Vice-Chair
Focused, approachable, and driven by results, Shawn Bedard brings a relationship‑centered leadership style to the Maui Open Board of Directors. As Vice‑Chair, he is committed to strengthening Maui’s golf community and creating opportunities for players across the island.
Shawn previously ran the Shaka Tour and continues to organize weekly skins games throughout Maui, offering competitive and welcoming environments for golfers of all levels. His ability to build connections, foster camaraderie, and keep the competitive spirit thriving makes him an invaluable part of the tournament’s leadership.
Shawn’s steady presence, community focus, and passion for the game help guide the Maui Open as it grows into its next chapter.
Aaron Williams

Treasurer

Aaron brings more than 25 years of leadership experience across resorts, daily‑fee facilities, and private golf clubs. A results‑driven, solutions‑oriented operator, he has a proven ability to manage complex, multi‑department environments while keeping teams aligned and focused on shared goals.
Known for his collaborative approach, Aaron works seamlessly across disciplines to achieve organizational success. He has been consistently recognized for finding creative, effective ways to operate within a business plan while still growing the bottom line in both stable and challenging economic climates. He sets high personal and professional standards and continually delivers on them.
Lief Smith

Secretary

Born in Mississippi and proudly carrying his “Who Dat” spirit wherever he goes, Lief Smith brings a blend of Southern warmth, competitive passion, and deep community values to the Maui Open Board of Directors. For Lief, life centers around family, friends, golf, and baseball — the four pillars that have shaped his journey both on and off the course.
Lief serves as the Director of Golf at The Dunes, where he is known for his steady leadership, player‑first approach, and commitment to growing the game on Maui. His experience in golf operations, paired with his genuine love for the sport, makes him a natural fit for the Maui Open’s mission of elevating competitive golf while strengthening community connections.
As a board member, Lief brings heart, humor, and a grounded perspective — helping guide the tournament with the same values that define his life: loyalty, camaraderie, and a true passion for the game.
Rick Castillo

Director
Rick Castillo has been a cornerstone of Maui’s golf community for nearly three decades. He was assistant and Senior Head Golf professional at the Wailea Golf Club, 1979-2005 Since 2005, he has served as the Director of Golf for both The King Kamehameha Golf Club and the Kahili Golf Course, overseeing two of the island’s most respected golf operations. His leadership, professionalism, and commitment to elevating the player experience have made him a trusted figure in Hawaiʻi golf.
Beyond his work on Maui, Rick has played a major role in developing the next generation of golfers across the state. He has been Aloha Section PGA member since 1979 and serves as Vice President of the Hawaiʻi State Junior Golf Association and captained Team Hawaiʻi in the Junior America’s Cup from 2006 to 2014 — a run highlighted by the team’s memorable victory at Shaughnessy Golf and Country Club in Vancouver in 2014.
Rick also chairs the Aloha Section PGA Hall of Fame Committee, helping preserve and honor the legacy of golf in Hawaiʻi.
As a Maui Open board member, Rick brings deep operational expertise, a statewide perspective, and a passion for growing the game. His dedication to both competitive excellence and community development strengthens the tournament’s mission and its future.
Keith Anderson

Director
Keith Anderson brings both competitive grit and deep community roots to the Maui Open Board of Directors. A longtime Makawao resident and respected club mechanic, Keith owns South Maui Golf and Repair at Maui Nui Golf Club, where he has spent 25 years helping golfers fine‑tune their equipment and their game.
In 2025, Keith earned one of the most dramatic victories of his career, winning the U.S. Senior Amateur Qualifier at Makani Golf Club. Known for calling himself a “nervous Nelly,” he battled through a tense playoff on the island‑green 17th hole to secure his first-ever berth in a United States Golf Association championship. His perseverance, humility, and ability to reset under pressure reflect the same qualities he brings to the Maui Open’s leadership.
Keith has won multiple Maui amateur senior titles and continues to be a steady presence in Hawaiʻi’s golf community. He often says the key to good golf is “a short memory and lots of confidence,” a philosophy that guides both his play and his service to the tournament.
As a board member, Keith contributes hands‑on expertise, decades of experience, and a genuine love for the game — helping ensure the Maui Open remains a meaningful, competitive, and community‑driven event for generations to come.
David Goode

Director
Dave has been a proud member of KKGC for nearly two decades and has spent more than 50 years immersed in the game of golf. With hundreds of amateur competitive tournaments under his belt, he brings a deep well of experience and insight to the Maui Open Golf Championship Board. His competitive background and long-standing commitment to the sport will be invaluable as we strengthen the tournament’s future.
“I’m pleased to be asked to help keep the Maui Open sustainable for future generations.” — Dave