The Sentry 2024: What Does the ‘L’ on Rickie Fowler’s Hat Signify?

The PGA Tour pros have a special connection with Maui, as every year since 1999, it has hosted the Sentry at the Plantation Course. However, for the 2024 edition, despite the excitement, there was a tinge of sadness because Maui is still trying to heal and rebuild itself.

The devastating fire in August 2023 destroyed more than 100 lives and displaced more than 10,000 people in Lahaina, Hawaii. As the PGA Tour visits and witnesses the devastation after the atrocity, the PGA Tour pros are coming forward to help those suffering.

The story behind the ‘L’ on Rickie Fowler’s hat

In the opening week of the PGA Tour’s 2024 season, many golfers will be helping the Lahaina locals after the fire in whatever way they can, and one such player is the six-time PGA Tour champion, Rickie Fowler. During the commencement of the first round, Fowler wore a white hat with green leaves and ‘L’ stitched to the front.

If you are wondering what it signifies, it was a gesture to honor those who were the victims of the Lahaina fire and inspired by the ‘L’ present on Mt. Bali, a part of the West Maui Mountains. The ‘L’ that sits on a hill and above Lahainaluna High School has inspired Fowler’s symbolized hat.

Lahainaluna means ‘Overlooking Lahaina’ and the students of Lahainaluna High School take utmost care of the ‘L’ as it represents their sports teams. The Cal golfer will distribute signed hats to the locals of Lahaina. Moreover, the hats will be available online as well, and all the income will be donated to Maui United Way.

In the 59 field of players, Fowler was not alone in lending a hand to the people of Lahaina. The likes of Collin Morikawa, Tom Hoge, and Xander Schauffele were also trying to help as much as they could.

PGA Tour pros try to help the Lahaina locals 

When the fire engulfed Maui on August 8th, Collin Morikawa was one of the first pros to help the island recuperate from all the losses. Morikawa has a unique connection that ties the golfer to the Hawaiian soil, as his grandparents owned a restaurant there. The two-time major champion donated money that was raised through eagles and birdies in the 2023 FedExCup playoffs. He will be doing the same at the 2024 Sentry as well.

Read More: How to Watch the Sentry 2024: TV Schedule, Online, and More

Morikawa will donate $2,000 for every birdie and $4,000 for each eagle made at the Sentry. His donations will also be matched by his sponsor, Adidas. Moreover, Schauffele had done the same as he raised money for Help Maui Rise in 2023. More pros like Tom Hoge will be doing the same as Morikawa; the proceedings from Hoge will go to the Hawaii Community Foundation.

On the other hand, Sentry Insurance has also pledged to donate $2 million to fire relief. The $1 million from the fund will be donated to Maui United Way, which will run a mental health initiative for the children who sadly were the victims of the fire.

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