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Explore Maui Open History

Maui Open — Official Historical Timeline (1950–2026)

A complete chronological record of champions, milestones, and leadership

Introduction

The Maui Open is one of Hawai‘i’s longest‑running golf traditions, beginning in 1952 and continuing through today. This page preserves the full historical timeline — from the tournament’s origins, to its champions, to its modern nonprofit era.

Full Chronological History

1950–1952 — Origins

  • 1950 — Hawaiian Open at Waiehu inspires Maui golfers.

  • 1951 — Maui Golf Association is formed.

  • 1952 — First Maui Open held at Maui Country Club.

    • Champion: Willie Goo — 151

    • James Tokunaga (a) tied but conceded the playoff.

1953–1960 — Establishing a Tradition

  • 1953 — Jimmy Ukuauka (291)

  • 1954 — Jimmy Ukuauka (301)

  • 1955 — Jimmy Ukuauka (296)

  • 1956 — Jimmy Ukuauka (295)

  • 1957 — Jimmy Ukuauka (295)

  • 1958 — Jimmy Ukuauka (295)

  • 1959 — Guinea Kop wins playoff (296)

  • 1960 — Paul Scodeller posts a standout 286

1961–1964 — The Makalena Era Begins

  • 1961 — Ted Makalena (292)

  • 1962 — Ted Makalena (292)

  • 1963 — Dave Bettencourt (a) (218)

  • 1964 — Paul Scodeller (215)

1990–2000 — New Generation & Competitive Depth

  • 1990 — Brian Sasada wins playoff (214)

  • 1991 — Dan Nishimoto (210)

  • 1992 — Casey Nakama (213)

  • 1993 — Dick McClean (209)

  • 1994 — John Freitas (213)

  • 1995 — William Keogh (a) (211)

  • 1996 — Weather-shortened to 36 holes; McClean (142)

  • 1997 — Dick McClean (213)

  • 1998 — Casey Nakama (213)

  • 1999 — Hank Sieradzki (213)

  • 2000 — Brian Sasada (215)

1965–1974 — Expansion & Rising Depth

  • 1965 — Greg Dikilato (a) (222)

  • 1966 — All‑amateur field; Masa Kaya (225)

  • 1967 — Ted Makalena returns from PGA Tour and wins (210)

  • 1968 — John DeMello (a) (221)

  • 1969 — Morgan Fottrell (221)

  • 1970 — Morgan Fottrell (220)

  • 1971 — Morgan Fottrell (218)

  • 1972 — Clyde Kahalehau (214)

  • 1973 — Art Fujita (a) (219)

  • 1974 — Allan Yamamoto (a) (219)

1975–1983 — Transition, Challenges & Revival

  • 1975 — Clyde Kahalehau (219)

  • 1976 — Frank Sanchez (a) (218)

  • 1977 — Frank Sanchez (a) (218)

  • 1978 — Tournament canceled (death of Ted Makalena)

  • 1979–1982 — Purse disputes, amateur‑heavy fields

  • 1983 — Tournament revived by Charlie Arruda and new sponsors

1984–1989 — Modern Professional Era

  • 1984 — Dick McClean (208)

  • 1985 — Lance Suzuki wins playoff (209)

  • 1986–1989 — McClean–Suzuki rivalry, Kapalua records tied, large fields

2001–2007 — Early 2000s & Hiatus

  • 2001 — Casey Nakama wins his third title

  • 2003–2007 — Five‑year hiatus due to course and economic shifts

2008–2009 — First Resurrection

  • 2008 — Tournament revived at Kahili by Brad Bowen; Darren Summers wins

  • 2009 — Tadd Fujikawa (age 15) wins after skipping his high‑school graduation

Alex Chiarella wins 4th Maui Open in Dramatic Style

2010–2018 — The Dunes Era

  • 2010 — Tournament moves to The Dunes under Dave Gleason; Royden Heirakuji wins

  • 2011 — Sam Cyr

  • 2012 — Alex Chiarella (first title)

  • 2013 — Garrett Okamura

  • 2014 — Bradley Shigezawa

  • 2015 — Ryan Acosta

  • 2017 — Alex Chiarella (second title)

  • 2018 — Alex Chiarella (third title)

2019–2021 — New Leadership & Pandemic Pause

  • 2019 — Chris Shimamura wins; Mike “Mo” Morris becomes Tournament Chairman

  • 2020–2021 — Tournament canceled due to COVID‑19

2022–2024 — Post‑Pandemic Return

  • 2022 — Cory Oride

  • 2023 — No tournament

  • 2024 — Derek Fribbs wins at The Dunes

2025–2026 — Modern Era & Nonprofit Transition

  • 2025 — One‑year hiatus

  • 2026 — Tournament moves to The King Kamehameha Golf Club

    • Champion: Alex Chiarella — 137 (‑7)

    • Wins with a final‑hole eagle

    • Maui Open formally becomes a charitable nonprofit organization

    • Governance established under Chairman Mike Morris and a new Board of Directors

Leadership Timeline

Dr. Harold Kushi (1950s Founder)

  • Dr. Kushi was the President of the Maui Golf Association when the tournament was founded in 1952. He acted as the primary operational leader and founding organizer who got the tournament off the ground alongside the MGA.

The MGA Committee Leadership (1952-2002)

  • Unlike the modern structure of the tournament—which relies on a formalized Board of Directors led by a singular Chairman like Mike Morris—the 20th-century iterations were planned and directed by rotating committees within the Maui Golf Association. These committees consisted of local pros, club officials, and volunteers who collectively shared tournament director duties on an annual basis to sustain the event.

Brad Bowen (2008-2009)

  • Credited with single-handedly saving the Maui Open from extinction when he resurrected the tournament in 2008 after it had gone completely dark for five consecutive years (2003–2007).

Dave Gleason (2010–2018)

  • Moved the tournament to The Dunes

  • Elevated competitive standards

  • Preserved perpetual trophy tradition

 Mike “Mo” Morris (2019–2025) with Scott Reinhart and Lief Smith

  • Introduced modern player‑experience upgrades

  • Led the nonprofit transition

  • Oversaw return to King Kamehameha Golf Club in 2026

 Maui Open Golf Championship Board of Directors (Present)

  •  Volunteer board lead charitable non profit

  • Chair- Mike Morris, Vice Chair – Shawn Bedard, Treasurer – Aaron Williams, Secretary – Lief Smith, Members – Keith Anderson, Rick Castillo, David Goode