Maui to host loaded field next week in 2026 Kā‘anapali Classic by OUTRIGGER

The 12th annual Kā‘anapali Classic by OUTRIGGER – hosted each year by the University of Hawai‘i – will take place from Oct. 26–28. Annually a strong and diverse field in men’s college golf, 20 teams from 16 states and 11 athletic conferences will compete over three days for the coveted title.

TEAMS (20)

Boise State, Cal State Northridge, Clemson, Colorado, East Tennessee State, Georgia, Gonzaga, Hawai‘i, Houston, Kansas, North Florida, Oklahoma, Purdue, Sacramento State, San Jose State, Southern Illinois, TCU, UConn, UC Irvine and Wyoming.

Last year, Oklahoma broke the prior tournament scoring record by 11 shots (789), which was previously held by Kansas since 2021 (800), to win their fourth consecutive team title on Maui.

TCU finished in second place with their best team score (-51) since at least their 1993-94 season.

Georgia posted their second-best tournament score in program history at 47-under to finish in third place.

INDIVIDUALS

Ryder Cowan, a senior at Oklahoma and a two-time All-American, is the No. 1-ranked player in NCAA Division I men’s golf. The defending champion will miss the opportunity to defend his title after receiving an exemption to compete in next week’s PGA TOUR VidantaWorld Mexico Open.

However, the No. 2-ranked player in America, JD Culbreth at Georgia, will return to Maui for the second time. The sophomore from Thomasville, Georgia set the program record for best round after carding a 10-under in round two of the 2025 Kā‘anapali Classic, which also tied the Royal Kā‘anapali course record of 61 that has stood since 1991.

Anson Cabello (Hawai‘i), Dillon Jonke (CSUN) and Chris Salem (Hawai‘i) all grew up on Maui. They will return to the Valley Isle, as well as O‘ahu-born players Josh Hayashida (Hawai‘i) and Dane Watanabe (Hawai‘i).

Jonke, who missed last season after competing in all 11 tournaments in 2024-25, graduated from nearby Maui Prep and was a key contributor on their 2022 Hawai’i High School Athletic Association (HHSAA) Boys Golf Championship team. He placed as the individual runner-up at the Kā‘anapali Golf Courses’ hosted event. Jonke’s former Pueo teammate and current UH sophomore, Salem, also finished T4 in the individual championship. 

TOURNAMENT HISTORY

Oklahoma seeks a five-peat after winning the past four Kā‘anapali Classic by OUTRIGGER team titles. The Sooners have won a record six titles overall (2015, 2019, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025).

Other decorated programs that have won include Oregon (2014), Clemson (2016), LSU (2017), California (2018), Kansas (2021) and East Tennessee St. (2023).

PRACTICE ROUND BLESSING

On Sunday, Oct. 25 at 8 a.m., a pre-tournament blessing will allow players, coaches, support staff and fans to deeply connect with Maui’s aloha spirit.

GIVING BACK

On Tuesday, Oct. 27 from 3–4 p.m. on Kā‘anapali’s driving range, Hawai‘i men’s golf coach Scott Simpson and nine Rainbow Warrior players will host a free clinic for keiki. Local children will be given special one-on-one access to learn about college recruiting, full swing lessons, short game tips and more. Learn more and RSVP: UH Junior Golf Clinic.

ATTENDANCE

Tournament attendance is free for walking spectators. Parking is available on-site. Overflow parking can be utilized at nearby Whalers Village for a small fee.

Featuring no resort charge, free parking, every third night free and a $100 OUTRIGGER activity credit, OUTRIGGER Kā‘anapali Beach Resort is offering a limited time Return to Paradise room special for visitors. Visit their website to learn more and review availability.